Reviews (122)

Why Hellraiser is a classic horror film
I love this!The first Hellraiser is such a well done movie!It's one of the best in the series,and you can't have a sequel without an original. Original is the key word here. This movie is one of a kind,Clive Barker wrote it origanaly as a novel(the Hellbound heart) before transforming it into a script and then directing it. Now might I say that this is a definate must for gorehounds everywhere,let's take a look-see, shall we? We've got Frank's skinned corpse thumping around up stairs,skinning rats, and ready to mangulate the unsespecting men whom Julia lures upstairs.Then there's the Cenobites, the demons summoned by the box.And of corse we can't forget the classic in Hellraiser: When Frank gets ripped to pecies by chains with hooks on the ends.The first one set this off and they've been doing it ever sence.I myself am not a true gorehound,but those of you who are go for it. Hellraiser has got seven sequals so far. I can reconise the first one as a classic in the horror movie feild,it's really quite a masterpeice when I think about it. So all in all really great movie,if you're thinking of getting it I say go for it,I know I will,just as long as you've got the stomach for it. This was Deathgirl, telling you why Hellraiser is a classic horror film,It'll tear your soul apart.

Hooks, Chains, Cenobites, And Thou...
The vast majority of mid to late 80s horror movies are pretty lame. HELLRAISER is one of the rare exceptions. Rather than following the same dull old formula, Clive Barker singlehandedly reinvents the horror film for a frustrated and jaded audience. He uses sheer darkness and evil to enhance a sense of utter doom. Frank is a sado-masochist with a thirst for unlocking the secrets of hell (the ultimate experience of pain and pleasure merged). He attains the Lamont Configuration (a puzzle box which is actually a transdimensional gate), unleashing the cenobites (pinhead and his fellow demons), who torture and tear Frank apart. Some time later, Julia (Clare Higgins) and her family move into Frank's abandoned house. Julia had had an affair with Frank, who is her husband Larry's brother. Frank is resurrected when a drop of blood soaks into the attic floorboards, revitalizing a piece the cenobites missed. As he grows, he needs more blood and flesh to sustain his re-emerging form. Julia grudgingly agrees to help Frank by luring men home with her for sex. Instead, they are hit in the head and attacked by a grotesque, cannibalistic Frank, who takes what he requires, leaving only a shriveled carcass behind. Julia's daugher Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) gets a hold of Frank's puzzle box and inadvertently gates in the cenobites. They are ready to take her with them into hell, until she tells them that she can deliver uncle Frank into their clutches. The rest is a gruesome fearfest! There are moments of real terror in HELLRAISER that make 99% of the rest of the genre look ridiculous by comparison. A uniquely chilling story became a terrifying movie that only Barker could pull off. Highly recommended...

Clive Barker's Hellraiser
Clive Barker's Hellraiser is a classic among horror films. In a way it started a new real of horror films focusing on the pain and misery hell is, along with the inhabitants
of hell.

This is not the first time, the issue of hell has been brought into a horror movie zombies movies use the theme of hell being unleashed in their plot. Lucio Fulci in his movie ''The Beyond'' is another movie that uses that theme well.

Made in 1987, the film is still a pretty good flick to watch during this time of year.
The plot of the film is probably a little hard to swallow, but onscreen it sure worked.
Julia Cotton (Claire Higgins) is having an affair with the brother of her husband Larry Cotton (Andrew Robinson). Apparently Frank (the brother of Larry is killed (played by Sean Chapman), but through the gates of hell is resurrected as a monster. That is because Claire opens up the pandora's box (puzzle box) which opens up the gates of hell. In order to gain his human form , Frank must absord literally the skin and tissue of his victims.

Yes ''Hellraiser'' and it's sequels contain graphic violence and thus if you are not a fan of horror you probably be better of passing it of. That's not to say that ''Hellraiser'' craze isn't good, their are good movies, and they have inspired
other newer movies to up the ante as far as scaryness and violence is concerned.

Clive Barker's special effects for hellraising were crude but effective. The thing about Clive Barker's ''Hellraiser'' movies is that unlike other cheap sequels to horror hits like
''Halloween'', each sequel ''Hellraiser'' gets better and better, loading more special effects, gore, and suspense.

Eventually Claire and the newly formed Frank now then sets their sites on killing everyone in their house including Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence) and Larry Cotton.

However a monster from hell named Pinhead (Douglas Bradley) is thriving to inflict his pain of hell into others and so now now Kirsty and Larry have quite a few problems in front of them. They got this evil maniac Frank and now this monster known as a cenobite , Pinhead who wants to get out of hell and cause mayhem.

''Hellraiser'' is a good horror flick. It's use of the macabre, suspense and phsycial attack on the senses with its graphic theme made it stand out from other horror flicks. It's probably the series has lasted so long up to the new ''Hellraiser: Hellseeker'' sequel.

This will be short but sweet.....
Ok, I will try to keep this brief. Hellraiser is incredible for it's originality in story line; leaving behind the god/satan area of evil and just going straight an other worldly group of creatures that teach that there is no difference between pleasure and pain- there is only sensation. That is not a topic that most horror flicks venture(although that point is not as explored in the movie as in the novella).

Plus, any movie that has a character say,"Jesus wept" just as he is about to be torn apart by hooks (and yes that line was improvised) gets major brownie points in my book.

HELLRAISER !!!!!!!!!
Hellraiser is way better than candyman, i loved it.
I was'nt going to watch it at first because i had watched the third one before and dind'nt think much to it.
When i watched it i loved it and now i am wanting to watch the 2nd one but people have told me that it is very boring so i will consider watching it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Troubled twentysomething Craig Sheffer is haunted by violent dreams of serial killings and nocturnal invitations by misshapen creatures who live in a misty, mysterious land called Midia. Adapted and directed by Clive Barker (Hellraiser) from his novel Cabal, this tribute to the magical creatures of the night plays like a Jungian reinterpretation of classic myths with a modern twist. Nightbreed are the dead reborn as monsters of legend, fantasies, and nightmares who form their own outcast society in an underground city beneath an Alberta graveyard. Visionary horror director David Cronenberg steps in front of the camera to play Sheffer's unscrupulous psychiatrist, an eerie, unsettling character whose dark side is hidden under a soft-spoken manner and an eerily calm and controlled voice.

Barker has a rather unsubtle approach to this fantastical Holocaust metaphor: every human is a victim, a hick, or a bloodthirsty monster, and the climactic witch-hunt is all gore and spectacle. By contrast the bestial society of outcasts has a kind of natural, innocent savagery that turns protective when the tribe is threatened. Cool-looking beings of bright colors, latex masks, and outrageous bodysuits, they band together like some extreme mutant superhero team with anger-management issues. Barker could use more attention to details (what happened to the so-called mystic properties of his shape-shifting monster heroes when the guns were drawn?), but there's an undeniable charge to his modern take on myth and magic. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Mystical, intelligent and imaginative...but
Framed as a killer by unstable pyschiatrist (David Cronenberg), Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer) runs away to a graveyard called Midian, a place where "the monsters live" so his sins can be forgiven. Then once becoming one of them, he realises its his duty to save them from their enemies...man! Clive Barker's second feature as director is, like HELLRAISER, interesting, visually compelling and entertaining. But its flavour of cheesy comedy (that of course works well at times) takes over its gothical horror premise which makes the film a bit too hard to get into.
This is the first time NIGHTBREED has been released on DVD and fans of the film are in for a treat. The picture is presented in widescreen and although shows some level of grain at times (especially around Midian), its rich in colour and contrast and is overall nice and clear, the soundtrack is a remastered Dolby 5.1 which sounds as good as can be expected, a theatrical trailer (as usual) and cast and crew biographies. So, although limited in extras, the films presentation is a welcome treat for its DVD debut. Director's cut is rumoured for 2002 release.

Fun Horror film
I'm rating this film a 4 out of 5 within its genre.

Nightbreed answers the question: Where do monsters come from?
Directed by Clive Barker, celebrated author, who also happened to pen the source material in the form of a short story titled, "Cabal," "Nightbreed" is a luxuriously imagined film. Unfortunately, Barker's premise that men are monsters and monsters aren't what men make them out to be, becomes laughable because the human "villain" characters are far more two dimensional than the "monstrous" ones.

I've heard it said that this story (and the film) are an allegory for heterosexual treatment of homosexuals ( this idea is given more credence when you realize that Barker came out of the closet several years back). Whether or not that is the case, the film is really quite enjoyable and fun.

Aaron Boone is having nightmares where he is a serial killer. His shrink doesn't seem to be helping any. He dreams of a city of the dead called Midian and when he awakens he goes there only to end up getting killed. But that's not the end for our intrepid hero. He is reborn as one of the creatures of Midian - a place where the "monsters live."

Because he is seen there after his death, the humans wage a war against Boone and the typically reclusive monstrous residents of Midian.

With some extrapolation, Barker reveals to us the source of the imagery of Satan that we have, as well as vampires, witches, and all other sorts of monsters. To his credit, Barker's Nightbreed is not simplistic in its approach or its story. There are many layers and the film, though done on a small budget, appears to be much more expensive than it is.

Though the ending is clearly designed for a sequel - alas none has ever been forthcoming. It's really a shame, because this film really does warrant a good sequel.

All in all, actors, director, writer, etc. are really top notch in this film. Craig Sheffer does a fine job in this film as he has in many others (and it makes me wonder who he ticked off, because I think he should have gone much farther than he has). Even reknowned horror director/writer David Cronenberg takes a large role in this film.

Check this film out for some real "scary" fun!

WILL DVD EVER EMBRACE THE TRIBES OF THE MOON?
Clive Barker's film NIGHTBREED is not your standard exercise in horror, but rather a surrealistic trip into a fantasy world laced with elements of the genre his work is generally attributed with. As opposed to the typical monster movie, this film's story presents a moralistic flip-side...the monsters from our darkest fears are actually good in comparison to the prejudice humans who seek to destroy what they do not understand.

The movie is an adaptation of Barker's own novel, CABAL, and interestingly enough it both succeeds and fails in presenting his original story. The film actually improves upon the presentation of the monsters. The book never really fleshed them out in any way other than giving them names, never bothering to go into any types of description. Barker as a director has a very visual eye though, and the film is beautiful to look at. One can only imagine what he could do with a larger budget! Director David Cronenberg is on hand to play the notorious Dr. Decker, and he does a very good job in a role that seems to have been made for him. Composer Danny Elfman provides a unique score for the movie as well that retains the feeling of having ventured into another world. The awesome wall hieroglyphics seen during the film's opening credits, which tell the history of the Breed, were created by none other than famed conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie! The film was an ambitious project at the time and was touted as being the most expensive horror film to date. It was budgeted at $11 million, which may be considered expensive for a "horror" film, but is actually relatively cheap (even back then) for a story of this scale.

Unfortunately, the monsters themselves are a big disappointment overall. Yes, the main characters are well done. The monstrous Peloquin is everyone's favorite. Boone, the porcupine-like Shuna Sassi, the broken stone god Baphomet, and the devilish Lude are all nicely designed monsters. The remaining monsters are all made up of simple freaks of nature with twisted mouths or faces, different skin color, or simply individuals that are simply into acting weird and perverted. Kinski's moon shaped head is simply laughable, as are many of the goofball designs presented here. The denizens of Midian, being a city where the monsters go, should have at least somewhat represented a few more creatures of legend such as werewolves or vampires to name a few. The book describes ghostly apparitions that burst forth from the tombs and fly off into the night sky during the finale. That would have been really great to see. Sadly, it never happens in the film. A campy element infiltrates the proceedings from time to time, which dulls the effect of the overall proceedings. A more serious take throughout would have made a world of difference!

The movie veers off into a different direction several times as opposed to the book. Some of these diversions are actually an improvement to the original story, while some are not. By the end, several key developments are completely different, such as certain characters who survive in the book die in the film, and vice versa. Mr. Barker has often spoke of continuing both the books and the film adaptations, but one has to wonder exactly how he could have done so when key elements at the conclusion of this introductory story are so different from book to screen! It would seem to me that this series would have ended up being completely different entities altogether in their respective mediums had they both continued. Even in light of the missing twenty minutes of footage that has yet to be restored to the film, these changes would still be evident for the most part.

This DVD release by Warner Brothers is extremely disappointing. First, they offer up only the theatrical preview as a bonus supplement. Second, the film is not presented in it's true widescreen format. I just compared it scene by scene to my laserdisc and the DVD is definitely presenting us with the full screen presentation, which features black bars covering the top and bottom of the picture in order to mimic the widescreen format. I bought this DVD to see the film in widescreen for the first time since theatres, but I got cheated, What exactly is the point of doing this?? Well, at least they were good enough to clean up the picture, remaster the soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1, and give us an interactive menu! I hope that one day in the future Fox Studios will see fit to grant Clive Barker the chance to restore his original vision in the long rumored director's cut of the film. Mr. Barker deserves this chance, as do his fans!

The movie gets 3 ½ stars, this DVD release gets 2 stars!

A Bad Scareless Monster Fest!
Why? I ask myself...do people like this wretched, dated, forgettable, nonfrightening, poorly written and horrendously acted film. Who knows and who cares. For intellectual Pygmies only.

" Where the Monsters Roam"
Night Breed

Night Breed is an imaginative movie from the bizarre mind of Clive Barker. The very depth and originality of this movie will blow your mind. The twisted story takes place in a land where the monsters roam. Midian. It is about a man who is murdered and goes to Midian and then word slipped about Midian and people are coming to destroy it. So he has to save it. The twisted plot evolves horror with love and revenge. Imaginative creatures come and go leaving you thinking hard about this film. This movie has many different things in it like romance, horror, and of course fantasy. Night Breed express's many emotions and showing not all monsters are bad. The constant feeling of stress is brought to you through the strong acting. The gore and effects are great and make you enjoy the movie even more. The acting is superb with great performances by Craig Sheffer as Aaron Boone. Many people dislike this movie but I enjoyed it overall there are a few flaws (Confusing Moments) but I look past that and give this move an 8/10
Score: 8/10
By: Snuggle
Suggestion: Fantasy and horror fans unite and check this one out.
Rating: R ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hellraiser
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 Barker's film, 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

Hellbound: Hellraiser II
Definitely not one for the weak of stomach, Hellbound: Hellraiser IItakes up where the first Hellraiser left off, piling on the gore to nearcamp levels. Luckily, the 1988 sequel retains enough of British horror-meisterClive Barker's macabre wit--like the original, it's based on a Barker story--tosave it from the schlock-heap. Hospitalized following her last misadventure,Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) implores authorities to destroy a bloody bed at the carnage scene, but the enigmatic Dr. Channard (Kenneth Cranham) brings an addled patient there and unleashes a dread Cenobite instead. As if that's notbad enough, Kirsty's getting distress calls from her father, who begs her to rescue him from Hell. When she journeys through Hell's dark labyrinths with a mute puzzle solver, however, Kirsty only finds the evil Pinhead (Doug Bradley) and other bizarro creatures, plus her nasty former stepmother and lascivious Uncle Frank. Much maniacal laughter and skin shedding later, the newfound compadres unlock the puzzle box again to safety. Hellbound isn't genius, but it does have flair, which goes a long way toward offsetting Laurence's leaden acting and occasionally over the top gore. --Diane Garrett ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Two great horror movies get a well deserved DVD treatment
HELLRAISER: A typical, naive husband and his sexual unsatisfied wife move into a lonely old house that has the misfortune of containing the shredded remains of his soon-to-be-resurrected evil brother. Clever, well plotted and genuinely disturbing. Directing debut for horror novelist Clive Barker, and still remains to be his undisputed masterpiece. HELLRAISER II: Takes off hours later where the original finished. The sole survivor of the family massacre Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) finds herself in a mental hospital run by an occult-obsessed psychiatrist with a determination to open the gates to hell and the whole nightmare starts all over again. Not too bad a film as far as sequels go. Definatelly a work of art compared to the following chapters. Only this film was butchered by the MPAA on its theatrical release and lost a lot of its well deserved respect. THE DVD: Both films are THX certified which delivers clear enough picture and a beautifully haunting 5.1 Dolby track, and are presented in their original 1.85:1 widescreen format and a 4:3 fullscreen presentation. Both DVDs feature the original theatrical trailer, a picture gallery, a commentary track and a doco on each film. Both documentaries are entertaining and informative, but the one for Hellraier, "Resurrection", is much longer and more enjoyable than the one for Hellraiser II, "Lost in the Labryinth". The only letdown of this wonderful treatment is the absence of a Deleted Scenes section, especially for Hellraiser II. The two infamous scenes of Pinhead and the Female cenobite dressed as doctors, and chatterer going through the process of his face undergoing disgusting changes are scenes that every fan is howling to see which is a real let down. Both discs come packaged in a limited edition tin which is a definate must for any cult horror collector. This edition also contains a 48 page booklet with rare, behind the scenes pictures from Hellraiser which is always delightfully ugly to look at. The only downside of the packaging is the way the discs were packaged. They are both in a standard 2-CD case which is terriblly unsatisfactory. But apart from one or two issues, its a fair enough edition which will be a well treasured collector's item in the near-future.

It's different kinds of horror movies
In 1987 and '88, "Hellraiser" 1 and 2 were released, and these are certainly the best of the series. You can watch the two back to back and it seemlessly flows as one story. The over all story line is one family's fight against the Centobites, S and M demons from hell (it's not as corny as it sounds, trust me), and their nominal leader being Pinhead. There are a lot of issues floating around these movies; betrayal, lies, secrets, murder, audultry, the cheif among them the pleasure of pain (YIKES!). These movies have a lot of torture scenes, hooked chains clawing away flesh (those still make my skin crawl just thinking about them), the blood flows like a river, skinned corpes are walking around, and sex is taken to a whole new low. Clive Barker has some kind of warped mind, God bless him. Hell itelf is a vast maze where you must re-live your past misdeeds over and over, an interesting concept. The emotional center of the movie is Ashley, and her nemisis step-mother, Julia. The two are so different, yet they end up doing the exact same thing, the both end up betraying someone to achieve their own means. These films are very, very gory (I recomend finding the unrated versions), and so those with weak stomachs may want to find something else. But there is also a very interesting moral; curiosity kills the cat, if the cat is lucky.

Hellraiser 1 & 2 tin boxset
I've had this limited tin-set of the first 2 Hellraiser movies for about 6 months now. I've watched both DVD's several times and am very impressed with the quality. The widescreen transfer is excellent, the sound is phenomenal in THX. The extras are well done also, i liked the bonus full-length audio commentary tracks for both movies. The only thing that could have been added were the extra "Bonus Interviews" that were on the Collector's Edition VHS editions that came out a few years ago. I'm keeping those VHS copies just for that, and although it would have been nice to have them on DVD as well this is still a very solid, professional boxset. Any Hellraiser fan would be pleased and it is well worth the money to get this great boxset.

Great movies but are we seeing all of them?
This beautifully presented box set is a treat. Visually stunning the movies themselves do a great job of recreating the atmoshere of isolated dread that Clive Barker is so good at. My only issue with this edition is one of censorship. I have a strong feeling that there have been cuts made to the very end if the first movie. There was an "uncut" version of hellraiser on VHS floating around a few years back and that differed to the standard video edition. This DVD seems more like the trimmed version. I may be wrong but I have a strong suspicion about this one. Seeing as how this is not available in region 4 yet, this is as good as it gets so I've got no complaints and as I said, the presentation is sensational.

Hmmm
The first movie is awesome. The second recycles the first and is average. The third movie is slightly better than no 2 mostly because it goes and invents a new background. My advice? Watch the first one, ignore the others. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

THE REAL WORLD
Clive Barker's books have always mystified me...he is definitely one imaginative soul, but at the same time so "soulless." In this movie, which he wrote, produced and directed, is soulless. Filled with campy gore effects, MTV style direction, and uneven performances, LORD OF ILLUSIONS is not a fully satisfying horror film. Daniel van Bergen's Nix is well done, but where did he get his powers and why did he lay dormant for thirteen years, and who is responsible for all the bad stuff going on now? And Kevin J. O'Connor, flat as a pancake, seems to be just as bad but why? And HOW did he escape the swords? And why does Scott Bakula act so bored (looking quite buff, though), and Famke Janssen in her pre X-men days looks like a refugee from the Great Gatsby.
Nonsensical fun, but Barker continues to be overhyped.

Disjointed and senseless
OK. "I was born to murder the world."

Why? Are we expected to simply accept that statement? Of course it comes at the very end of the movie, so we're left wondering just who the heck this Nix character is, and what his nature is through the entire film. The problem is, if that was supposed to create dramatic tension, it didn't.

Ambitious? Sure. Did it succeed? No. There was unquestionably a story here, but telling the story mainly through the eyes of a private detective wasn't the right way to go about it. This is a problem, sometimes, with writers. They find a story, but then can't find the vessel. I think that's what happened here.

One of his best!
I have seen the first clive barker film Hellraiser and I have to say that I wasn't impressed much.
I was pretty hesitant to see this one but being a huge Diamanda galas fan, I decided to check it out.
Overall, I think it's one of his best films as the storyline was good and the effects were not corny at all.
The only complaint is that the acting was a bit underachieved in certain parts of the film. It seemed like madonna could've done a lot better. And that's not a good thing!
All in all a good film.

An overlooked gem from Clive Barker.
New York detective Harry D'Amour ( Scott Bakula) who has an interest in black magic heads to Los Angeles for a special job. He gets involved with Dorthea ( Fame Jannsen from " X-Men") who is the widow of a late magician ( Kevin J. O'Connor)and finds out the terrifying secrets of a mysterious cult who wants to resurrect a powerful dark magician.

Way much overlooked but great supernatural horror thriller from famed horror novelist Clive Barker ( Creator of "Candyman" and " Hellraiser"), Bakula does a fine performance as teh detective who tracks down the cult. Great special effects and gore by Steve Johnson also help the movie's scariness and gruesomeness but worth watching only in the unrated Director's Cut which is on this DVD.

Also recommended: End of Days, Freddy Vs. Jason, Hellraiser, Candyman, Making Contact ( a.k.a Joey), City of the Living Dead ( a.k.a. The Gates of Hell), Evil Dead II, Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday, Sleepless, Suspiria, Phenomena, Tenebre, Vampire Hunter D, The Mummy ( 1999), Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, Sleepy Hollow, From Hell, Fallen, House By The Cemetery, Burial Ground, From Dusk Till Dawn, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Ninja Scroll, Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend, Demons, Cemetery Man, Silence of the Lambs and The Beyond.

Barker's most ambitious
Private detective Harry D'Amour (Bakula) who is unwillingly drawn to the supernatural travels to LA to investigate an insurance fraud, but finds himself battling an evil cult leader in the Mojave desert after he gets involved with the death of a stage "illusionist". Barker's most ambitious and engaging film to date (based on his short story "The Last Illusion"). Well photographed and a masterful music score, let down by an over-long script and uneven plotting. Barker's attempted horror/detective film noir blend is far too shaky at times. Still, a winner well above genre standards. Be sure to stear clear of the shorter "theatrical cut". ... Read more

Description

In 1970's Liverpool, Clive Barker and a small group of friends from college made two short films, unseen by the general public until now. "Salome" (1973) and "The Forbidden" (1978) feature early footage of Barker, who also did most of the special effects, and Doug Bradley, who went on to fame as Pinhead in the "Hellraiser" films. Also included are interviews with Barker, Bradley and other key players. Contains graphic violence and nudity. Silent with music score. ... Read more

Amazon.com

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 Barker's film, 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 ... Read more

Reviews (122)

Why Hellraiser is a classic horror film
I love this!The first Hellraiser is such a well done movie!It's one of the best in the series,and you can't have a sequel without an original. Original is the key word here. This movie is one of a kind,Clive Barker wrote it origanaly as a novel(the Hellbound heart) before transforming it into a script and then directing it. Now might I say that this is a definate must for gorehounds everywhere,let's take a look-see, shall we? We've got Frank's skinned corpse thumping around up stairs,skinning rats, and ready to mangulate the unsespecting men whom Julia lures upstairs.Then there's the Cenobites, the demons summoned by the box.And of corse we can't forget the classic in Hellraiser: When Frank gets ripped to pecies by chains with hooks on the ends.The first one set this off and they've been doing it ever sence.I myself am not a true gorehound,but those of you who are go for it. Hellraiser has got seven sequals so far. I can reconise the first one as a classic in the horror movie feild,it's really quite a masterpeice when I think about it. So all in all really great movie,if you're thinking of getting it I say go for it,I know I will,just as long as you've got the stomach for it. This was Deathgirl, telling you why Hellraiser is a classic horror film,It'll tear your soul apart.

Hooks, Chains, Cenobites, And Thou...
The vast majority of mid to late 80s horror movies are pretty lame. HELLRAISER is one of the rare exceptions. Rather than following the same dull old formula, Clive Barker singlehandedly reinvents the horror film for a frustrated and jaded audience. He uses sheer darkness and evil to enhance a sense of utter doom. Frank is a sado-masochist with a thirst for unlocking the secrets of hell (the ultimate experience of pain and pleasure merged). He attains the Lamont Configuration (a puzzle box which is actually a transdimensional gate), unleashing the cenobites (pinhead and his fellow demons), who torture and tear Frank apart. Some time later, Julia (Clare Higgins) and her family move into Frank's abandoned house. Julia had had an affair with Frank, who is her husband Larry's brother. Frank is resurrected when a drop of blood soaks into the attic floorboards, revitalizing a piece the cenobites missed. As he grows, he needs more blood and flesh to sustain his re-emerging form. Julia grudgingly agrees to help Frank by luring men home with her for sex. Instead, they are hit in the head and attacked by a grotesque, cannibalistic Frank, who takes what he requires, leaving only a shriveled carcass behind. Julia's daugher Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) gets a hold of Frank's puzzle box and inadvertently gates in the cenobites. They are ready to take her with them into hell, until she tells them that she can deliver uncle Frank into their clutches. The rest is a gruesome fearfest! There are moments of real terror in HELLRAISER that make 99% of the rest of the genre look ridiculous by comparison. A uniquely chilling story became a terrifying movie that only Barker could pull off. Highly recommended...

Clive Barker's Hellraiser
Clive Barker's Hellraiser is a classic among horror films. In a way it started a new real of horror films focusing on the pain and misery hell is, along with the inhabitants
of hell.

This is not the first time, the issue of hell has been brought into a horror movie zombies movies use the theme of hell being unleashed in their plot. Lucio Fulci in his movie ''The Beyond'' is another movie that uses that theme well.

Made in 1987, the film is still a pretty good flick to watch during this time of year.
The plot of the film is probably a little hard to swallow, but onscreen it sure worked.
Julia Cotton (Claire Higgins) is having an affair with the brother of her husband Larry Cotton (Andrew Robinson). Apparently Frank (the brother of Larry is killed (played by Sean Chapman), but through the gates of hell is resurrected as a monster. That is because Claire opens up the pandora's box (puzzle box) which opens up the gates of hell. In order to gain his human form , Frank must absord literally the skin and tissue of his victims.

Yes ''Hellraiser'' and it's sequels contain graphic violence and thus if you are not a fan of horror you probably be better of passing it of. That's not to say that ''Hellraiser'' craze isn't good, their are good movies, and they have inspired
other newer movies to up the ante as far as scaryness and violence is concerned.

Clive Barker's special effects for hellraising were crude but effective. The thing about Clive Barker's ''Hellraiser'' movies is that unlike other cheap sequels to horror hits like
''Halloween'', each sequel ''Hellraiser'' gets better and better, loading more special effects, gore, and suspense.

Eventually Claire and the newly formed Frank now then sets their sites on killing everyone in their house including Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence) and Larry Cotton.

However a monster from hell named Pinhead (Douglas Bradley) is thriving to inflict his pain of hell into others and so now now Kirsty and Larry have quite a few problems in front of them. They got this evil maniac Frank and now this monster known as a cenobite , Pinhead who wants to get out of hell and cause mayhem.

''Hellraiser'' is a good horror flick. It's use of the macabre, suspense and phsycial attack on the senses with its graphic theme made it stand out from other horror flicks. It's probably the series has lasted so long up to the new ''Hellraiser: Hellseeker'' sequel.

This will be short but sweet.....
Ok, I will try to keep this brief. Hellraiser is incredible for it's originality in story line; leaving behind the god/satan area of evil and just going straight an other worldly group of creatures that teach that there is no difference between pleasure and pain- there is only sensation. That is not a topic that most horror flicks venture(although that point is not as explored in the movie as in the novella).

Plus, any movie that has a character say,"Jesus wept" just as he is about to be torn apart by hooks (and yes that line was improvised) gets major brownie points in my book.

HELLRAISER !!!!!!!!!
Hellraiser is way better than candyman, i loved it.
I was'nt going to watch it at first because i had watched the third one before and dind'nt think much to it.
When i watched it i loved it and now i am wanting to watch the 2nd one but people have told me that it is very boring so i will consider watching it. ... Read more