Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Motel Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 10, 2023

1980’s “Motel Hell” entered the box office race at a special time in horror history, trying to find an audience for the Halloween holiday after “Friday the 13th” managed to dominate the early summer, inspiring studios to scramble for similar low-budget endeavors. Writers Robert and Steven-Charles Jaffe weren’t looking to crank out yet another slasher offering with the picture, trying to infuse the material with as much humor as they could get away with, delivering a screen nightmare that’s more about oddity than offing victims. Studio interests eventually tried to bend “Motel Hell” into a more generic direction, but the feature, while not really a laugh-out-loud viewing experience, is quite inventive in the ghoulishness department, representing a last gasp of storytelling eccentricity before the industry demanded nothing but “Friday the 13th” knockoffs.

For additional analysis and information:

Read the 2020 Blu-ray review.

Read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2014 Blu-ray review.

Motel Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray

After enjoying a few Blu-ray releases (most recently in 2020), "Motel Hell" graduates to UHD for this release, listed as a "New 2023 4K transfer from the original camera negative." The Dolby Vision viewing experience manages to deliver somewhat deeper detail than before, offering a film-like understanding of rural activities, with distances reaching deep, exploring lake areas and farmland. Costuming stays fibrous, and skin particulars are appreciable, examining differences in age and personal appearance. Interiors are dimensional, and decorative additions of all kinds are open for study, including slaughterhouse gore. Makeup additions are textured. Colors are secure, with natural skin tones and clear primaries. Hotter lighting with motel signage and hypno-wheel lighting is powerful, slightly besting Blu-ray presentations, and greenery carries real presence, capturing the remote feel of the location. Blacks are deep with an extremely dark film at times, but crush is mostly avoided, preserving as much frame information as allowed. Highlights are tasteful. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Motel Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix supplies a crisp understanding of dialogue exchanges, securing performances and emotional surges, while the ugly gurgle of the Secret Garden remains in full effect throughout the listening event. Scoring supports with a wider power, offering a warmer orchestral sound and sharper instrumentation for suspense purposes. Atmospherics are distinct, along with sound effects, giving violence some needed emphasis.

Motel Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Kevin Connor.

• "It Takes All Kinds" (24:33, HD) is the making-of for "Motel Hell," discussing the film with co-writers Robert Jaffe and Steven-Charles Jaffe, director Kevin Connor, and actor Marc Silver. The Jaffe siblings discuss their early years, raised to play rough and embrace genre entertainment, with Robert eventually making his way to Hollywood. Working as a script reader, Robert was inspired to create his own offering in 1977's "Demon Seed," soon collaborating with his brother on "Motel Hell." Story origins are recalled, with the brothers eventually finding Connor, who could capture the humorous elements of the script, despite objections from United Artists, who wanted a straight slasher. Casting is celebrated, with Silver sharing some behind-the-scenes info on burial scenes and slashed-throat gurgling. Location concerns are shared, with the production setting up shop next to a munition factory. Connor details working with real animal carcasses, and memories of the first test screening are shared.

• "Another Head on the Chopping Block" (14:52, HD) is an interview with Paul Linke, who attended college with Robert Jaffe, becoming friends with the future screenwriter of "Motel Hell." Accepting a part written for him, Linke describes his character and the original tone of the material, with broad comedy softened by director Kevin Connor. Co-stars are recalled and stunts are detailed, with the interviewee trying to do something with a rare leading man part. Linke gets quite candid when remembering his first look at "Motel Hell," feeling disappointed with the final cut, offering some criticisms of the picture. Cult longevity is discussed, along with the actor's eventual move to stage work.

• "Ida, Be Thy Name: The Frightful Females of Fear" (18:09, HD) is an appreciation piece/critical analysis of female horror villains, featuring writers Shelagh M. Rowan-Legg and Staci Layne Wilson, and actresses Chantelle Albers and Elissa Dowling. Very little is shared about "Motel Hell," with the interviewees delving into film history, personal favorites, and hopes for the future of lady killers.

• "From Glamour to Gore" (11:28, HD) is an interview with actress Rosanne Katon, who shares her professional journey, beginning work in commercials before growing interested in the theater world. Making the leap to become a Playboy Playmate in 1978, Katon offers her thoughts on the experience, soon teaming with another centerfold, Monique St. Pierre, for small parts in "Motel Hell." Katon recalls the chilly location shoot and the spirit of her co-stars, also admiring the material's sense of humor, which she enjoyed with friends during her first viewing of the movie back in 1980.

• "Shooting Old School" (15:45, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Thomas Del Ruth, who followed his parents into show business, growing increasingly interested in cameras throughout his formative years. Del Ruth recalls his initial hiring for "Motel Hell," soon suffering a horrible personal loss that put his employment in doubt for a moment. Memories of star Rory Calhoun are shared, along with several technical challenges from the shoot. And cult longevity is assessed.

• Still Gallery #1 (2:33) collects BTS snaps.

• Still Gallery #2 (17:38) collects poster art (including concept ideas), lobby cards, film stills, and publicity shots.

• T.V. Spots (1:45, SD) offer three commercials for "Motel Hell."

• And a Teaser Trailer (:53, HD) and a Theatrical Trailer (2:40, HD) are included.

Motel Hell 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Motel Hell" was slightly battered around by studio demands, and the final cut reflects some hesitation, with comedy coming through with full cartoon speed at times, while other scenes whiff when attempting slyness. It's not an especially riotous endeavor, struggling with a few subplots and performances, but it grows confident when exploring the horror of Vincent's body-harvesting operation. Connor can't quite connect the dots on the community effort, especially with the character of Terry (Nina Axelrod), an unnecessary addition (she's just a baffling creation all around), but he gives the smokehouse adventure his full attention, questing to create an approachable movie about the destruction and consumption of human beings. That's no easy task, making "Motel Hell" an unusual success story as it tries to be a weirder, atmospheric offering of bodily harm and backwoods madness.