Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Motel Hell Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 17, 2020

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.

“Motel Hell” is unlike many horror endeavors, with director Kevin Connor putting in some real effort to keep the movie visually appealing despite a plot about cannibalism and murder that’s quite revolting. Connor doesn’t try to generate a gore-a-thon, preferring to study the creepiness of the central idea, mixing down-home charm from Vincent (Rory Calhoun) and Ida (Nancy Parsons) with their evil ways, collecting bodies to store in a “Secret Garden” for later meat processing. Victims are claimed in strange ways, but “Motel Hell” enjoys the disturbing particulars of procedure, with the writers having a good time dreaming up creeps for the slaughter, while Calhoun and Parsons are excellent in their leading roles, carrying the picture with surprising authority.

For additional analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2014 review.

Motel Hell Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Motel Hell" was originally released on Blu-ray in 2014, with Shout Factory using an older scan for the disc. The company returns to the title in 2020 with a "New 4K transfer from the original camera negative." The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is a bold leap forward in terms of clarity and film-like grain, with the viewing experience offering a pleasingly cinematic appearance. Detail emerges easily, surveying the gruesome particulars of the property, including the bloody interiors of the smokehouse and the eerie Secret Garden. Hotel visits maintain decorative additions, and costuming is fibrous. Facial particulars are well defined, as are makeup effects. Exterior distances are ideal in dimension. Colors come through with precision, with bright greenery and bold lighting with hotel signage and hypno-wheel action. Skintones are natural. Costuming favors deep reds and denim blues. Some mild fluctuation is found at the 58:05 mark. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in strong shape.

Motel Hell 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 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 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 connects when it decides to explore 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.