Hell Night Blu-ray Review

Scream Factory has done it again by finally releasing the 1981 cult classic Hell Night starring Linda Blair. Although not a success when it came out, Blair actually got the Razzie for "Worst Actress" the film started gaining a huge cult following after the big horror rental boom in the late 80s and early 90s

Hell Night is the story of a group of fraternity pledges who must spend a night in Garth Manor. It's a "haunted" estate where the former owner murdered his family and then killed himself. The problem there is the body of his youngest son was never found and it's rumored he is there haunting the house.

Linda Blair, from Savage Streets, and Exorcist fame plays Marti, a party girl type pledge who is one of the kids spending the night in the house. It turns out that the house has been rigged with devices and recorders to scare everyone. Unfortunately for them there really are 2 killers in the house stalking them.

Blair does a great job as the hero of the film. This film actually solidifies her as a true scream queen. Her acting is top notch, as it was in all her work. She does a great job elevating the suspense and shock to another level.

Filled with jump scares and the usual 80s stalking, the film is different from others due to the look of everything. While most horror films in the 80s all had a similar look Hell Night stands out due to the almost Gothic look of the house. The maze outside of the house is a haunting presence as well. Combine the washed out blue colors, fog, and ancient evil setting, this film has a look you won't soon forget.

The only fault in the film is the complete lack of any gore. Sure it can be argued that the film was setting itself apart from all the other horror films of that era, but the addition of gore could have helped make the film more appealing to the bloodthirsty crow who loves these types of films.

Scream Factory has done another tremendous job with the video and audio transfer. Everything seems to just pop and explode out of your screen. I really can't stress how well this one looks. It's one of the best transfers I have seen of an older film. And as it's Scream Factory it's loaded with special features

Blu-ray Disc:

• NEW 4K Scan Of The Film Taken From The Best Surviving Archival Print
• NEW Interviews With Actors Linda Blair, Peter Barton, Vincent Van Patten, Suki Goodwin, Kevin Brophy, And Jenny Neumann
• Audio Commentary With Linda Blair, Tom DeSimone, Irwin Yablans, And Bruce Cohn Curtis
• Original Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots

Blu-ray Disc Exclusive Bonus Features:

• NEW Interview With Director Tom DeSimone
• NEW Interview With Producer Bruce Cohn Curtis
• NEW Interview With Writer Randolph Feldman
• NEW – Anatomy Of The Death Scenes With Tom DeSimone, Randolph Feldman, Make-up Artist Pam Peitzman, Art Director Steven G. Legler, And Special Effects Artist John Eggett
• NEW – On Location At The Kimberly Crest House With Tom DeSimone
• NEW – Gothic Design In Hell Night With Steven G. Legler
• Original Radio Spot
• Photo Gallery Featuring Rare, Never-before-seen Stills

DVD Disc:
NEW 4K Scan Of The Film Taken From The Best Surviving Archival Print

• NEW Interviews With Actors Linda Blair, Peter Barton, Vincent Van Patten, Suki Goodwin, Kevin Brophy, And Jenny Neumann
• Audio Commentary With Linda Blair, Tom DeSimone, Irwin Yablans, And Bruce Cohn Curtis
• Original Theatrical Trailer & TV Spots

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Light in the gore aside this is a must have for any horror fan


Overall 3.5 out of 5 Stars