The Legend of Hell House

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The Legend of Hell House

PG

1973

1h 34m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

72%

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25 Reviews

56%

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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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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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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

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Time Out

Richard Matheson's disappointing adaptation of his own rather disappointing novel.

Feb 9, 2006

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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

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

A creepy and atmospheric experience that was ahead of its time and is still as effective today as it likely was 50 years ago.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 15, 2025

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Author and screenwriter Richard Matheson, adapting his own novel, brings a rare intelligence, a literate sensibility, and a refreshing seriousness to this mix of haunted house thriller and paranormal science from 1973.

Oct 21, 2024

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Maria C

Creepy atmosphere. Some cheesy scenes, but nice performances overall.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/11/23

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Steve D

Fairly cheesy but not without its charms.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/04/23

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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

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John Hough

Director

Pamela Franklin

Florence Tanner

Roddy McDowall

Benjamin Franklin Fischer

Clive Revill

Dr. Barrett

Gayle Hunnicutt

Ann Barrett

Roland Culver

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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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