Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Hellraiser Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 3, 2023

Note: This version of this film is available as part of Arrow's Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment collection.

The problem with those pesky portals to other dimensions is that there's evidently no way to keep them permanently closed, which may be why Arrow is revisiting the Hellraiser franchise just a few years after it brought out the rather extravagantly packaged Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box. The good news is, while Arrow can almost always be counted for typically luxe limited edition packaging one way or the other, they've seen fit to offer fans new 4K restorations of the first four films (note that the aforementioned Scarlet Box only offered the original triptych), as well as at least some new supplements augmenting previously produced bonus features, though not all of the legacy supplements from The Scarlet Box have made it over to these releases, for those keeping track. Maybe sometimes it's a good thing when a multidimensional portal won't stay closed.

Those interested can find several reviews of the various Hellraiser films on the site, but for purposes of this particular review I'll point those interested to my own Hellraiser Blu-ray review of The Scarlet Box version, since that provides the chance to compare screenshots and see how supplements stack up between the releases.

Hellraiser Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Hellraiser is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow provides the same hardback book for both its 4K UHD and 1080 releases, and it contains the following information on this latest restoration:

Hellraiser is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with stereo 2.0 and 5.1. sound. The original 35mm camera negative was scanned and restored in 4K resolution at Silver Salt Restoration, London. Sections of a 35mm interpositive were also sourced for sections that had been removed from the negative. The film was graded in SDR, HDR10 and Dolby Vision by Silver Salt Restoration, London.

There are some subtle but rather appealing upticks to this new restoration, probably a "combo platter" of improved technologies as well as the fact that these newer versions were sourced (mostly) from negatives instead of completely from interpositives. The color timing struck me as more natural looking this time, with less of the kind of ruddy brown flush that kind of underlay Arrow's older 1080 release, and while there are certainly pretty huge differences in the tightness of grain, I also found the grain field to be generally more organic looking this time around. There are still undeniable variances in densities, clarity and (as mentioned) grain, not necessarily due to opticals (though the glut of those certainly do play into appearances), but what might be referred to variant "peaks" and "valleys" may have been evened out a bit more this time. Fine detail is typically quite excellent, especially on practical items like patterns on clothing.

Hellraiser Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Hellraiser features DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and 5.1 tracks which struck my ears as interchangeable with the tracks on Arrow's old 1080 release (which featured an LPCM codec for its stereo version). Both of these tracks sound nicely full bodied, but the surround track beefs up the rather beautiful Christopher Young score, offering a more pleasant bed of sound that helps to elevate the overall sonic ambience. Some of the ooey-gooey sound effects are a bit more resonant in the surround offering as well. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and with good prioritization and there are no problems to report in terms of dropouts, distortion or even hiss. Optional English subtitles are available.

Hellraiser Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: I've tried my best to identify supplements new to this edition with an asterisk (*), but with so much to go through and the added challenge of Arrow having authored or titled things differently for this release, I may have missed something.

• Audio Commentaries

  Commentary with critics Stephen Jones and Kim Newman (2023)*

  
  

  Commentary with writer/director Clive Barker and actress Ashley Laurence (2000)

  
  

  Commentary with writer/director Clive Barker (1996)

• Power of Imagination* (HD; 58:14) is an often fascinating conversation between Sorcha Ní Fhlainn and Karmel Knipprath covering the films and Barker in general.


• Unboxing Hellraiser * (HD; 21:53) is a fun piece by Alexandra Benedict focusing on a "different" kind of unboxing.


• The Pursuit of Possibilities* (HD; 40:57) features Paula D. Ashe and Eric LaRocca addressing what they perceive as the "inherent queerness" of Hellraiser.


• Flesh is a Trap* (HD; 18:19) offers an almost metaphysical analysis of Barker's oeuvre by Guy Adams.


• Behind the Scenes* features some recently discovered extended archival videos, presented here for the first time. While ostensibly in high definition, these were obviously sourced from older tape masters with timecode captions.

  Introduction by Stephen Jones and Kim Newman (HD; 10:30)

  
  

  Extended Clive Barker EPK (HD; 4:47)

  
  

  Extended Andrew Robinson EPK (HD: 4:22)

  
  

  Extended Claire Higgins EPK (HD; 3:16)

  
  

  Extended Ashley Laurence EPK (HD; 3:05)

  
  

  Extended Creatures & Effects EPK (HD; 9:26)

  
  

  Original 1987 Electronic Press Kit (HD; 5:58)

• Archival Special Features

  Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser (HD; 26:24)

  
  

  Soundtrack Hell (HD; 18:11)

  
  

  Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser (HD; 12:31

  
  

  Hellraiser: Resurrection (HD; 24:25)

• Trailers

  Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:37)

  Red Band Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:36)

  International Trailer (HD; 3:27)

• TV Spots (HD; 2:13)


• Image Galleries

  Image Gallery (HD)

  
  

  First Draft Screenplay* (HD)

  
  

  Final Draft Screenplay* (HD)

Hellraiser Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is another first rate effort from Arrow, and it's commendable to see a label not merely repackage older transfers, but try to bring something new to the mix, both in terms of higher resolution scans and new supplements. Technical merits are solid, and the supplements are outstanding. Highly recommended.