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The Legend of Hell House

PG 1973 1h 34m Horror List
67% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Scientist Lionel Barrett (Clive Revill) and his wife, Ann (Gayle Hunnicutt), lead a team into the infamous Belasco House, supposedly haunted by the victims of its late owner, a notorious serial killer. Though the rational Barrett does not believe in ghosts, the other members of his group do, include devout spiritualist Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin) and psychic medium Benjamin Fischer (Roddy McDowall), who has been in Belasco House before and seen what horrors can befall those who enter it.
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The Legend of Hell House

The Legend of Hell House

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Critics Consensus

The Legend of Hell House makes up for its disappointing lack of outright scares with a top notch cast and a suitably macabre atmosphere.

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Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety Clive Revill, the physicist, who attempts to clear the house of its evil, Pamela Franklin, the mental medium and Roddy McDowall the survivor of the previous incursion, are all first-rate. Mar 26, 2009 Full Review Time Out Richard Matheson's disappointing adaptation of his own rather disappointing novel. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review A.H. Weiler New York Times If John Hough, the director, and his small, willing cast maintain mild tension during their harried visit to this haunted 'hell house,' the few chills they provide are of little help. Rated: 2/5 May 9, 2005 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Many of the plot and design elements used in this influential genre film went on to be quoted, if not expanded on, by budding young horror directors in love with its artfulness. "The Legend of Hell House" is a minor masterpiece. Rated: FOUR STARS Aug 20, 2024 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com ...the screenplay, direction and performances are all top notch, but the icing on the cake is the foreboding electronic soundtrack by pioneer Delia Derbyshire, which adds an unsettling edge to the film Rated: 4/5 Jan 23, 2024 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins It may not be the most creative version of this timeless concept, but it approaches the many conventions with welcome severity; the ghastly bits are quite good, while the conclusion becomes the most startlingly singular piece of the puzzle. Rated: 7/10 Sep 22, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sheila B One of my favorite haunted house movies, along with the brilliant "The Haunting," based on Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House." This movie is based on Richard Matheson's "Hell House," which is gripping. The acting is first rate, especially Pamela Franklin who played Flora in "The Innocents" which is a beautifully filmed version of "The Turn of the Screw." I frequently return to these movies because good frightening films are hard to come by. And I need my thrills and chills without blood and gore and teenagers going into haunted house doing insane things to get themselves killed. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/03/24 Full Review Francois B One of the best haunted house film, very atmospheric. A haunting soundtrack, top notch casting. Always fun seeing Roddy Mcdowall and the always reliable Pamela Franklin. Loved the book too from Richard Matheson (I Am A Legend). Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/22/24 Full Review Tolvis77 I had high expectations which were only half met. Roddy McDowall is always good, but the whole premise fell a bit flat. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/09/23 Full Review Maria C Creepy atmosphere. Some cheesy scenes, but nice performances overall. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/11/23 Full Review Steve D Fairly cheesy but not without its charms. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Although a gloomy atmosphere prevails throughout the film, it fails somewhat to be scary. It promises much but in the end it fails to deliver anything memorable and ultimately is just another ‘haunted house' movie. Some of the acting is wooden and no-one really stands out. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Scientist Lionel Barrett (Clive Revill) and his wife, Ann (Gayle Hunnicutt), lead a team into the infamous Belasco House, supposedly haunted by the victims of its late owner, a notorious serial killer. Though the rational Barrett does not believe in ghosts, the other members of his group do, include devout spiritualist Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin) and psychic medium Benjamin Fischer (Roddy McDowall), who has been in Belasco House before and seen what horrors can befall those who enter it.
Director
John Hough
Producer
Albert Fennell, Norman T. Herman
Production Co
Academy Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 34m
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