Hellraiser [DVD] [1987]

Having made his reputation as one of the most prolific and gifted horror writers of his generation (prompting Stephen King to call him "the future of horror"), Clive Barker made a natural transition to movies with this audacious directorial debut from 1987. Not only did Barker serve up a chilling tale of devilish originality, he also introduced new icons of horror that since have become as popular among genre connoisseurs as Frankenstein's monster and the Wolfman. Foremost among these frightful visions is the sadomasochistic demon affectionately named Pinhead (so named because his pale, bald head is a geometric pincushion and a symbol of eternal pain). Pinhead is the leader of the Cenobites, agents of evil who appear only when someone successfully "solves" the exotic puzzle box called the Lamont Configuration--a mysterious device that opens the door to Hell. The puzzle's latest victim is Frank (Sean Chapman), who now lives in a gelatinous skeletal state in an upstairs room of the British home just purchased by his newlywed half-brother (Andrew Robinson, best known as the villain from Dirty Harry), who has married one of Frank's former lovers (Claire Higgins). The latter is recruited to supply the cannibalistic Frank with fresh victims, enabling him to reconstitute his own flesh--but will Frank succeed in restoring himself completely? Will Pinhead continue to demonstrate the flesh-ripping pleasures of absolute agony? Your reaction to this description should tell you if you've got the stomach for Hellraiser, which has since spawned a number of interesting but inferior sequels. It's definitely not for everyone, but there's no denying that it's become a semiclassic of modern horror. --Jeff Shannon

Having made his reputation as one of the most prolific and gifted horror writers of his generation, Clive Barker made a natural transition to movies with Hellraiser. Not only did Barker serve up a chilling tale of devilish originality, he also introduced new icons of horror that since have become as popular among genre connoisseurs as Frankenstein's Monster and the Wolfman. Pinhead is the leader of the Cenobites, agents of evil who appear only when someone successfully "solves" the exotic puzzle box called the Lamont Configuration--a mysterious device that opens the door to Hell. It's definitely not for everyone, but there's no denying that it's become a semi-classic of modern horror.--Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

Hellbound takes up where the first Hellraiser left off, piling on the gore to near-camp levels. Luckily, the 1988 sequel retains enough of British horror-meister Clive Barker's macabre wit to save it from the schlock heap. Hellbound isn't genius, but it does have flair, which goes a long way toward offsetting the occasionally over-the-top gore.--Diane Garrett, Amazon.com

16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
DVD 5
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Surround English
Dolby Digital Surround
Theatrical Trailer
Interviews
Scene Index
Interactive Menus
None

The spine-chilling tale of a man brought partially back to life by the blood of his brother. He befriends his sister-in-law who agrees to supply the blood he requires to live, but he is still haunted by the evil forces which held him captive in death. This disc contains both pan-and-scan and wide screen versions.