Hellraiser

Director: Clive Barker Clive Barker

Overview

The directorial debut from horror novelist Clive Barker stars Sean Chapman as a man who buys a strange Chinese puzzle box in a sex shop only to discover that its solution opens a portal to Hell.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/06/2011
UPC:	0014381728729
Original Release:	1987
Rating:	R
Source:	RLJ ENTERTAINMENT, INC
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:33:00
Sales rank:	1,686

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Sean Chapman	Frank Cotton
Clare Higgins	Julia Cotton,Actor
Andrew Robinson	Larry Cotton
Ashley Laurence	Kirsty Cotton
Oliver Smith	Frank the Monster
Robert Hines	Steve
Leon Davis	2nd Victim
Mike Cassidy	3rd Victim,3rd Victim
Frank Baker	Derelict
Kenneth Nelson	Bill
Niall Buggy	Dinner Guest
Dave Atkins	Moving Man
Oliver Parker	Moving Man
Pamela Sholto	Complaining Customer
Doug Bradley	Lead Cenobite
Nicholas Vince	Chattering Cenobite
Simon Bamford	`Butterball' Cenobite
Grace Kirby	Female Cenobite
Sharon Bower	Nurse
Raul Newney	Doctor
Anthony Allen	1st Victim,1st Victim
Gay Baynes	Evelyn
Christopher Young	Composer

Technical Credits

Clive Barker

Mark Armstrong	Executive Producer,Producer
Clive Barker	Director,Screenwriter
Jim Dowdall	Stunts
Christopher Figg	Producer
Bob Keen	Special Effects
David Saunders	Executive Producer,Producer
Chris Webster	Executive Producer,Executive Producer,Producer
Dick Dimbleby	Special Effects
Stephen Banks	Sound Effects
David Beesley	Sound Effects
Michael A. Carter	Sound Effects
Graham V. Hartstone	Sound Effects
Joe Gilmore	Sound Effects
Selwyn Roberts	Producer
Dave Chagouri	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

Clive Barker's feature-directing debut is not only his strongest work as a filmmaker but one of the finest horror films of the 1980's. Barker's script is ambitious and carefully controlled all at once: the backstory weaves an elaborate mythology that is equal parts H.P. Lovecraft and S&M iconography but the author wisely roots these heady concepts in a scenario driven by a family unit of characters whose dysfunctional relationships give the viewer something to relate to. Barker the writer also works in a number of startling setpieces that allow Barker the director to show off a fully-formed set of filmmaking skills: highlights include the gruesome "rebirth" of Frank and the unnerving scene where reality folds in on itself as Kirsty unwittingly unleashes the Cenobites. Barker's stylish direction is aided immensely by slick lensing from Robin Vidgeon, who makes the film look much more expensive than its million-dollar budget, and the lush orchestral score by Christopher Young, which offsets the gruesome sights and sounds of the film with an almost romantic musical touch. Finally, and most importantly, the performances are fantastic: Clare Higgins is both sexy and scary as the unfaithful wife in thrall to the dark side while Sean Chapman exudes a sleazy charisma as Frank and Andy Robinson does a fine job cast against type as the nice-guy hubby caught in the middle. However, the heart of the film is Ashley Laurence's expressive turn as the daughter forced into fighting the film's evils: she does a fine job creating a character who is both sympathetic and resourceful (and she's also a great screamer). In short, Hellraiser is required viewing for fans of modern horror.