5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Ryan Usher and his girlfriend Molly visit the remote estate of his uncle Roderick, who plots to get rid of his nephew and use Molly to carry on the family bloodline while at the same time keeping his deranged brother hidden in the attic.
Starring: Oliver Reed (I), Donald Pleasence, Romy Walthall, Rufus Swart, Norman CoombesHorror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (320 kbps)
BDInfo verified. 2nd track is the "lossy" track.
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
For director Alan Birkinshaw, the job of adapting Edgar Allan Poe stories was his primary career focus in the late 1980s, with “The Masque of the Red Death” following his time on 1989’s “The House of Usher.” Of course, these are loose versions of the original stories, but Birkinshaw is hoping to conjure something spooky and B-movie baroque with the features, finding “The House of Usher” the more inspired production, delivering a mild Hammer Films vibe as actors Oliver Reed and Donald Pleasance do their best to ham it up while the story details horrible things happening to a young woman stuck in a dangerous situation of obsession. The endeavor isn’t sharp, but it has some degree of enthusiasm for broad antics, making for an amusing sit as Birkinshaw tries to create something savage with his low budget and game cast.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is "Newly scanned & restored in 2K from its 35mm interpositive." "The House of Usher" remains surprisingly colorful, with estate tours providing varied hues with decorations and paint choices, especially the light blue of Molly's room. Gore additions retain deep reds, and costuming retain darker hues with heavy robes and formalwear. Skintones are natural. Detail is appreciable, offering textured facial surfaces, which are especially apparent on the older actors, and clothing is fibrous. Interiors in are dimensional, exploring cavernous rooms and long hallways. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix secures the limited soundscape of "The House of Usher," offering clear dialogue exchanges with various accents and performance intensity. Scoring favors a quieter synth sound, but dramatic support is appreciable. Sound effects are basic but defined to satisfaction.
"The House of Usher" isn't a strong horror story, doing better with exploration and kooky confrontations, and Birkinshaw deserves credit for one decent fake-out that involves a meat grinder. The supernatural elements of the material aren't defined to satisfaction, and there's something seriously wrong with the final minute of the feature, which attempts to do something surprising without explaining exactly what the surprise is. It's an abrupt stinger, worthless really, but the rest of the movie offers a Hammer-light experience that has some charms, watching the actors work around large sets and grim events, trying to make the best out of this employment opportunity. It's not really an Edgar Allan Poe valentine, simply using the source material to examine less expensive confrontations and devious activities involving wicked old men. And a hand drill. And genital torture. There's something for everyone in this endeavor, unless you're a fan of coherent conclusions.
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