DVD review (region 1)
Directed by Clive Barker
Starring Doug Bradley, Andrew Robinson, Ashley Lawrence
Release date Out now

A strange antique puzzle box – known as the Lament Configuration – can open a gateway to hell…

Hellraiser is a strange mix of monster movie, erotic thriller and slice and dice flick. The end result is certainly compelling but, looking back, it is bizarre that Clive Barker’s creation went on to spawn such a lucrative franchise.

This gruesome original story focuses on Frank Cotton – a sadomasochistic wretch who finds a place for himself in hell, whereupon he is subsequently tortured beyond his expectations. Escaping from the underworld, he manages to convince his ex-lover Julia (a seriously sexy Clare Higgins) to slaughter innocent men so that he can feast on their flesh. Then the movie really gets weird…

Pinhead may now be something of a joke, thanks to a series of rubbish sequels, but Doug Bradley gives the character some seriously fearful presence in this first outing, whilst heroine Ashley Lawrence screams, sweats and runs at all the right moments. Dirty Harry villain Andrew Robinson is also on top form – and meets possibly the nastiest onscreen demise of the 1980s (“Jesus wept” indeed). Nevertheless, the movie’s obvious sub-text of bondage and Goth-fashion wear is sometimes difficult to embrace.

However, what makes this DVD release of Hellraiser so special is the number of new supplements, including lengthy, up-to-date chats with Robinson, Lawrence and composer Christopher Young. The top rate audio commentary between Barker and his leading lady, from previous disc releases, is also present.

God (or Satan!) only knows if this will be enough to encourage casual viewers to shell out for yet another home video release of Barker’s schlock triumph but if you have never owned Hellraiser before this is undoubtedly the best release yet. Calum Waddell

VERDICT: 8/10
Nasty and unrelenting, Hellraiser is scary enough to almost make you forgive the fact that this movie spawned the most feeble horror series since Puppet Master.