The House That Dripped Blood Blu-ray Review

Anthology films have always been favorites of mine.  I especially love the Tales From The Darkside Movie.  I like it better than the two Creepshow films.  While those 3 have mainstream followings The House That Dripped Blood is an anthology from Amicus Films over in England.  Its become a cult hit here in the United States over the years, and now Scream Factory is releasing it on Blu-ray.

The film follows an Inspector from Scotland Yard named Holloway (played by John Bennett) who is investigating the disappearance of a movie star named Paul Henderson.  Henderson had rented out an old house in the country shortly before he disappeared.  Turns out the house has lots of local legends about it, so Holloway contacts the real estate agent, who proceeds to tell Holloway about past happenings over the course of 3 stories.

The story's are based off of the old Weird Tales comics.  The first is entitled Method For Murder

Method stars Denholn Elliott, a horror writer who moves into the house Elliott plays Charles Hillyer, he and his wife Alice have rented the house because of the quiet setting, and the fact the interior looks something out of Dracula thus allowing Charles to write his new novel in peace. He has a weird vision/dream one night and creates a character named Dominick, a serial killer strangler who just broke out of the looney bin.  Charles believes this character will give him the best story ever, but begins to have horrible altering visions of Dominick making you wonder if he is real.  One thing I will say, as I don't want to give it away, is that the twist ending, for being filmed in 1970 still holds up to this day.

The second story in entitled Waxworks and stars horror icon Peter Cushing

Cushing plays Phillip Grayson, a stockbroker who has rented the house after a romance turned sour so to speak.  While visiting the town he goes into a wax museum called Jacquelyn's Museum of Horrors.  Much like in the first story he has nightmare like visions and returns to the Wax Museum with a friend.  He begins to almost fall in love with a wax head of a woman who reminds him of his past love. Turns out his buddy that went with him is also drawn to the wax figure as he pined for the woman as well.

Sweets To The Sweet stars another horror legend in Christopher Lee.

This one focuses on John Reid (Cushing) a widower raising his daughter Jane. He likes the house as he likes to basically live as a recluse.  His daughter is not allowed to have friends, or even go to school with other kids. She has always had a private tutor educate her, and in this story she meets Ann Norton, who discovers that Jane is terrified of fire, and resents her father.  Ann is initially afraid of Jane, and for good reason.  Her mom was a witch.  See John keeps her secluded to keep other people safe, as Jane has started inheriting her mothers powers.  This one is actually my favorite story as it has a fantastic atmosphere and tension.

The Final Story is entitled The Cloak which is Paul Henderson Story to help tie everything together.

Henderson (Played by John Pertwee, yes of Dr Who Fame) was set to star in an upcoming horror film.  He utterly hates the costumes that he is presented with and decides to simply find his own. He finds a card for a one of a kind costume shop and low and behold finds a Cloak that he falls in love with.  Problem is this cloak is actually evil and begins turning him into a short of vampire.  This story is actually very funny, and after the Sweets to Sweet story it is a great one to end the movie. 

Everything ties together at the end.  Now keep in mind this film although I love it, is a PG release.  It may star many well known Hammer actors but this is nothing like a Hammer film.  In fact even though its called The House That Dripped Blood there really is no blood to be seen in it.

With that statement aside it is still a fantastic film and belongs on the shelf of anyone who enjoys old horror film, and of course horror anthologies.  Scream Factory has done there usual fantastic job and this disc looks amazing.  Crip and clear audio and visuals abound.  Taking an old atmospheric film like this and transferring it on Blu-ray gives it a look like no other that adds to the beauty.  As it is Shout Factory its loaded with special features as well

NEW Audio Commentary By Film Historian/Author Troy Howarth

• NEW Interview With Second Assistant Director Mike Higgins
• Audio Commentary With Director Peter Duffell And Author Jonathan Rigby
• Vintage Featurette - A-Rated Horror Film – Featuring Interviews With Director Peter Duffell, Actors Geoffrey Bayldon, Ingrid Pitt, And Chloe Franks
• Theatrical Trailers (English And Spanish)
• Radio Spots
• The Amicus Radio Spots Collection
• Still Gallery
  

Pick this one up when it comes out, its a fun must see that any fan of the horror genre should enjoy

Overall 4 out of 5 Stars!