Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

The House of Usher Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 25, 2021

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.

In the midst of a whirlwind romance, Molly (Romy Windsor, who sadly passed away last May) and Ryan (Rufus Stewart) are preparing to visit the Usher Estate in rural England, which is home to Ryan’s uncle, Roderick (Olivier Reed). During the drive there, a car accident occurs, and while Molly walks away without a scratch, Ryan is seriously injured. Running to the estate for help, Molly meets Roderick, a strange old man who assures the desperate woman that her lover is going to be just fine. Offering her a place to rest while Ryan is taken to the hospital, Molly begins to sense strange things about the staff, with butler Clive (Norman Coombes) keeping her locked inside her room, while Roderick has specific demands about odor and behavior. As the days pass, Molly tries to play along with the imprisonment, slowly understanding what Roderick has planned for her as she secretly tries to manage some form of escape, only to learn what’s behind the horrors of the house.

Perhaps the screenplay Michael J. Murray was in decent working order when production began, but budgetary limitations are present throughout “The House of Usher.” Certain ideas that are introduced aren’t permitted time for exploration, including the appearance of two ghost children who initially trigger the car accident, only to pop up randomly throughout the feature, without much explanation. Most of “The House of Usher” follows Molly’s experience in the titular dwelling, first arriving in a full panic about Ryan’s health, only to become a permanent resident as Roderick figures out what to do with her. Introductory scenes are compelling, learning about Roderick’s sensorial demands as he tries to avoid triggering debilitating headaches, and Molly, a hairdresser from Los Angeles, initially tries to make the best out of a weird situation, befriending Gwendolyn (Carole Farquhar), a mute servant who’s the only kind person around. Also of interest in the estate’s decline, with the house slowly sinking into a marsh, triggering a few scenes of panic as the walls crumble, giving the story something of a ticking clock.

Of course, Roderick isn’t the gracious host he initially appears to be, after something specific about Molly to help his plans to maintain his family bloodline. Acts of intimidation are periodic, but the best stuff is reserved for outsiders, including a doctor paying a visit to give Molly an examination, only to end up strapped to a table, with a hungry rat inside a cage placed on his genitals. It’s these weird bursts of insanity that keep the viewing experience flavorful, and the second act introduces Walter (Donald Pleasance), Roderick’s estranged brother who’s been kept upstairs, working on sculptures with help from a drill that’s strapped to his hand.

Pleasance and Reed both take turns being strange in “The House of Usher,” grabbing a chance to play unhinged types in a film that needs their expertise in such dramatic matters. They’re goofy, but that’s the point, finding Pleasance especially eager to stumble around the frame, threatening others with the drill. Windsor also impresses with her performance, always working to encourage a level of dread Birkinshaw can’t conjure with his let’s-just-survive-this directorial approach. Windsor has the main role, which involves a lot of huffing and puffing about bedroom imprisonment, exploring the secret passages of the estate, and being pawed by Reed, who’s not afraid to grind his pelvis into his co-star. She deserves an award for maintaining such high energy under these iffy acting conditions.

The House of Usher Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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 House of Usher Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Tell-Tale" (11:14, HD) is an interview with director Alan Birkinshaw, who shares his initial interest in acting, eventually finding his way to Australia to become a cowboy on the rodeo circuit. Acquiring work on television, directorial ambition was born. Casting achievements for "The House of Usher" are shared, with Donald Pleasance a professional and Oliver Reed creating "corpsing" moments with the helmer. Birkinshaw provides an overview of technical credits, working with the crew to create a "Poe-like" atmosphere. Gore scenes are discussed, and the sheer labor of film direction is analyzed, with the interviewee admitting that horror wasn't his favorite genre, but provided him with a career. Birkinshaw also offers his pride in the picture, happy with the final cut.

• Still Gallery (:52) collects poster art and film stills.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

The House of Usher Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"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.