Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Bloodbath at the House of Death Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 8, 2024

As a British comedian, Kenny Everett offered silliness and sauciness to his audience, working to push a few boundaries on television. Offered a chance to bring his sense of humor to the big screen, and Everett surprisingly doesn’t make a sex comedy, instead looking to pants horror happenings in 1984’s “Bloodbath at the House of Death.” It’s not exactly ambitious work, but screenwriters Barry Cryer and Ray Cameron (who also directs) get a little strange with the tone of the endeavor, which plays extremely goofy at times, but also contains a few vivid scenes of slaughter. The movie doesn’t really know what it wants to be, but there are a few laughs scattered around the picture, and Everett is absolutely working hard to please, going big in a feature that’s most enjoyable at its wackiest.

Leading a collection of scientists and experts, Dr. Lukas (Kenny Everette) and Dr. Barbara (Pamela Stephenson) are paranormal investigators trying to decode the horrors of Headstone Manor, the location of a mysterious massacre that claimed 18 lives in the 1970s. The team moves into the abandoned house, setting up equipment as they hope to discover the evil that resides there. While finding clues and making progress, the group is targeted by the cult that protects the dwelling, with Sinister Man (Vincent Price) trying to defend the land while he prepares for the return of The Master, an all-powerful being.

“Bloodbath at the House of Death” is a semi-riff on “The Haunting,” though the movie isn’t quite sure if it should take the haunted house premise seriously. The endeavor opens with various killings, some involving strong violence, but it eventually settles into goofball mode with the arrival of Barbara and Lukas, who are searching for the secrets of Headstone Manor, only they don’t understand much about the place. They notice symbols presented on all of the locals, and they move right into the cursed place, joined by a number of supporting characters, with most identified by sexual interests, not names.

While it appears to have some interest in becoming a naughty romp, “Bloodbath at the House of Death” is mostly sexless, preferring to deal with jokes and macabre events inside the dwelling. There are numerous movie references as well, with moments from “Alien,” “Star Wars,” “Carrie,” and “E.T.” parodied in the endeavor. It’s all in good fun, and Everett is working hard to make sure laughs are possible, though he goes overboard with Lukas, who’s a doctor with a German past and a metal leg, trying to keep up with the mysteries of the house. He’s certainly animated, joined by similar work from Stephenson, with the pair putting in the broadness to keep “Bloodbath at the House of Death” approachable as a comedy, even when it isn’t at times.

Bloodbath at the House of Death Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Bloodbath at the House of Death" is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative." While a low-budget affair, haunted house happenings are textured throughout the viewing experience, bringing definition to neglected areas of the manor. Character appearances are also appealing, with a sense of skin particulars and fibrous costuming. Interiors maintain depth as the action visits numerous rooms, and a few exteriors remain dimensional. Color is sharp, with rich primaries, including red blood. Style choices bring varied hues, and the darker appearance of household events registers as intended. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film- like. Source is in good condition, with some very brief points of damage.

Bloodbath at the House of Death Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix does wrestle with sibilance issues throughout the listening event. Intelligibility isn't threatened, with performance choices easily understood. Scoring supports with clarity. Sound effects are appreciable.

Bloodbath at the House of Death Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons.

• "Crying with Laughter" (27:55, HD) is an interview with co-writer Barry Cryer, who recalls his relationship with director Ray Cameron and actor Kenny Everett. Longtime collaborators, Cryer shares his personal history with the men, highlighting their time on television. With Everett, saucy material helped to boost his visibility, often threatened with condemnation by parental groups for his "naughty boy" antics. Video releases from the comedian are highlighted, giving Everett a bit more freedom to be silly, with these endeavors produced by Cameron. Aiming to move to a theatrical offering, plans were made to hit the big screen with the impossibly titled "Suicide: The Movie," which was briefly offered to Stanley Kubrick. The interviewee discusses his initial contact with star Vincent Price, also exploring his off-screen personality, as the icon remained happy in genre entertainment, embracing his camp appeal. Some talk of "Bloodbath and the House of Death" is supplied, including casting, with Pamela Stephenson pregnant during production. Commenting on the feature, Cryer offers a blunt "it has its moments," remembering the film's chilly critical and box office reception.

• "Running the Bloodbath" (22:48, HD) is a making-of for "Bloodbath at the House of Death," featuring interviews with executive producers Lawrence Myers and Stuart D. Donaldson, and archival junket footage of star Kenny Everett. An understanding of comedian Kenny Everett is provided, examining his special sense of humor and the effort made to turn him into a star beyond the confines of British television. Collaboration with director Ray Cameron is identified, who also labored to bring Everett to the big screen, working on the screenplay with Barry Cryer. The production experience on "Bloodbath at the House of Death" is explored, as the project initially struggled with financing issues. Locations are identified and casting is celebrated, with Pamela Stephenson labeled as "snooty." Time with Vincent Price is also recalled. The interviewees offer memories from the theatrical release, where the film tanked.

• Interview (16:51, HD) is a chat with executive producer Stuart D. Donaldson, who wanted to join the entertainment business, meeting with writer/director Ray Cameron to help bring comedian Kenny Everett to the masses via home video releases, allowing the star to avoid censorship issues. Putting "Bloodbath at the House of Death" together, Donaldson made use of his own farm as a shooting location. The interviewee recalls time with the cast, enjoying Vincent Price's cooking, and offers thoughts on Everett's private side, only bringing out his crazier persona for crowds. Post-production is recalled, with editing occurring in Donaldson's garage. Release woes are also detailed, with a failed theatrical launch followed by a lack of T.V. sales, and Donaldson is still owed money on the production.

• Image Gallery (:57) collects poster and video art, and BTS snaps.

• And a U.S Trailer (1:57) and U.K. Trailer (2:47) are included.

Bloodbath at the House of Death Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Bloodbath at the House of Death" is a little shaky in the story department, but the production commits to its rising sense of threat and tomfoolery. It's the mix of the macabre and monkey business that feels off for most of the run time, finding Cameron a little too busy trying to mastermind ghoulish events, especially in the climax. The film feels uneven, but it doesn't wipe out, maintaining enough energy and scattered laughs to remain engaging, with Everett alone pushing to keep the effort alive with his brand of anarchic humor.