Dr. Terror's House of Horrors 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

In the great British horror race of the 1960s, Amicus Productions tries their luck with an anthology film, launching 1965’s “Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors.” Director Freddie Francis and screenwriter Milton Subotsky offer five tales of weird happenings involving train passengers getting their first taste of the tarot card experience, launching stories meant to give viewers the chills. An actual fear factor doesn’t arrive during “Dr. Terror’s House of Horror,” but the entertainment value of the endeavor is strong, as Francis oversees a wonderful assortment of actors (including Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Donald Sutherland) who work hard to sell short tales of the unreal and the frightening. And they do so with impressive technical achievements, especially moody cinematography from Alan Hume.

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Previously issued on Blu-ray in 2015, "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors" returns with a UHD release, courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome. Listed as "newly restored from its 35mm original camera negative," the viewing experience really captures the moody lighting and defined colors of the cinematography. Hues are rich, with deep primaries throughout, examining costuming choices and lighting. Tarot cards are also distinct, with a commanding yellow. Business attire and domestic outfits also register with grays and browns. Skin tones are natural. Highlights are tasteful. Detail is strong, exploring skin particulars on a variety of aged actors, and outfits retain fibrousness. Interiors are also textured and open for examination. Blacks are deep, preserving shadowy moods and dark encounters. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition, with some mild judder during the main titles.

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix captures dialogue exchanges with clarity for the most part, handling clear performance choices and horror escalation. Scoring supports with sharpness, exploring traditional genre music and brassy jazz performances during one the segments. Sound effects are appreciable.

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Freddie Francis and film historian Jonathan Sothcott.

• "A New Home of Horror" (14:50, HD) is a 2024 look back at the making of "Dr. Terror's House of Horror," featuring interviews with propman Arthur Wicks, 2nd assistant director Hugh Harlow, continuity person Pauline Harlow, actress Katy Wild, and dubbing mixer John Aldred. The gang recalls their experience at Shepperton Studios, working with director Freddie Francis, and they walk through their initial hiring stories, with Hugh and Pauline a married couple. Memories of actors are shared, reinforcing the positive atmosphere of the production. Some technical elements from individual jobs are analyzed, walking through professional responsibilities. The interviewees also highlight their relationship with Amicus Productions.

• Archival Interviews (SD) include actress Ann Bell (21:22), actor Kenny Lynch (24:22), and actor Jeremy Kemp (8:13).

• Audio Interviews include writer/producer Milton Subotsky (12:21) and producer Max Rosenberg (1:50).

• "Tales of Terror" (39:02, HD) is an appreciation piece from film historian Stephen Thrower.

• "House of Cards" (57:50, HD) is an appreciation piece featuring interviews with film historians Reece Shearsmith, Jonathan Rigby, Jo Botting, and Kevin Lyons.

• Image Gallery #1 (7:12) collects poster art, film stills, publicity shots, BTS snaps, and lobby cards.

• Image Gallery #2 (1:55) collects poster art, publicity shots, film stills, lobby cards, and press materials.

• Theatrical Trailers include English (1:06), German (2:45), and Italian (2:48).

Dr. Terror's House of Horrors 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Goofiness often threatens to overwhelm "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors," which deals with the dangers of a villainous vine and crawling acts of revenge involving a severed hand. And yet, the feature manages to sell such strangeness with a straight face, as the cast commits to the nightmare they've been assigned to detail, generating some fine moments of suspense, helping to ground periodic turns into silliness. Francis makes a handsome movie, but one that also celebrates genre experiences and horror history, maintaining a steady pace while the writing attempts to cook up as many surprises as possible for viewers. "Dr. Terror's House of Horror" isn't a significant filmmaking achievement, but it clicks as an anthology experience, offering varied tales of disturbing behavior and dangerous developments.