from Atlanta

Clive Barker's HellRaiser finally makes it to Blu-Ray and probably will never look better than it does on this format.. But, with that said, this Blu-Ray's visuals are less than spectacular! The film has a very grainy quality about it, which will thrill purists but will disappoint the average viewer. The 5.1 TrueHD soundtrack does not approach reference quality, but is generally acceptable, being a step up from the lossy 5.1 DD soundtracks that have accompanied this film in the past. The Extra's on this disc have been ported over from the 20th Anniversary Edition DVD and are quite informative with background details on the film and crew. I would give this offering a 3 1/2 stars if it were possible. But I want to convey to all that have already purchased the Anchor Bay 20th Anniversary Edition to steer clear of this version. An up-converted Dvd comes real close to the picture you will receive from this Blu-Ray disc.

What's great about it: Great Storyline - Gory Special Effects - Extra's carried over from 20th Anniversary edition

What's not so great: If you have the 20th Anniversary on DVD pass on this one! NOT HIGH DEF ENOUGH!

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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This review is fromHellraiser: 20th Anniversary Edition [DVD] [1987].

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Customer Rating

A timeless, twisted tale of horror

on October 24, 2008

Posted by: CrimsonKing42

Hellraiser is an altogether unique vision of the horror genre. From the mind of horror-master Clive Barker, it's quite simply a type of horror unto its own; a film that seeks to cause the viewer nausea and dread while pushing them to consider much deeper aspects of human desire and what they're willing to sacrifice to that desire.
Hellraiser begins simply enough. Frank Cotton, a depraved individual who has exhausted all of the pleasures that this world can afford him, barters with a mysterious man for a strange puzzle box. Frank conducts a dark and ancient ceremony in his grandmother's old house and opens the box, unleashing the Cenobites, a group of demons engaged in a sadomasochistic quest to find pleasure through pain. They tear Frank's body apart in the very room he unleashed them in, and take his soul back with them to their realm. Soon thereafter, Frank's brother Larry moves into the house with his wife Julia. Larry's daughter Kirsty, however, does not wish to live with Julia, who is her stepmother, and thus gets her own apartment. During a moving incident, Larry cuts open his hand, spilling blood on the floor of the room in which Frank was killed. Frank uses this blood to regenerate, but only partially. He entices Julia, who was his lover before Larry married her, to bring men to him that he can sucks dry of their blood to regain his energy. Thus the terrible acts unfold.
It may be shocking for most to learn that this is merely the set-up of the film. A lot happens early on, but the pacing is not off. The film unfolds quite well. It is above all a film about depravity. The Cenobites, led by the demon Pinhead, who is the most recognized feature of the series this film spawned, are the highest level of deparvity. However, they are not the true villains of the piece, because they act merely according to nature. As they themselves state, they are "angels to some, demons to others". To them, no difference exists. The true evil here is found in Frank and Julia, who are so selfish as to sacrifice whoever it takes to achieve their evil goals.
This is a more interesting film than many horror pieces. There is a boogeyman element, as represented by Pinhead and his gang, but it hardly overwhelms the film; in fact, the Cenobites take up little screen time. The film focuses more on the evils of its human characters. There's also plenty of blood and gore to satisfy the gore-hound, but it is the story that really grabbed me. It's very unique in the genre.
I recommend this to any horror fan, or to those who enjoy unusual film stories. This easily appeals to both.

What's great about it: Hellraiser is another level of horror entirely, with its horrific violence and genuinely dread-inducing plot.

What's not so great: It's REALLY violent, which may not bode well with the squeamish.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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This review is fromHellraiser - BLU-RAY.

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Customer Rating

Another horror classic for kids of the 80's

on September 15, 2015

Posted by: Buddy1

Verified Purchase:Yes

As a child of the 80's, I grew up with this franchise. It was always right up there (if not better) with the Freddy and Jason franchises. Glad it's finally on BR.

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I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Big letdown

on August 28, 2019

Posted by: Evilkev

Verified Purchase:Yes

I had never seen this, only heard great things about it. Excited to sit down and watch it, only to be majorly disappointed by the end. The acting wasn't great but I wasn't expecting Oscar caliber performances, the gore effects were impressive, especially for the time period. I found no likable characters but my issue was with how little Pinhead and the other Cenobites were in the movie. Maybe 3 scenes totaling 5 minutes ? No desire to watch any sequels.

Length of ownership: 5

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No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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This review is fromHellraiser: 20th Anniversary Edition [DVD] [1987].

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Customer Rating

Good for Fans Only

on October 18, 2007

Posted by: Futredoctr

from Davenport, IA

This is a great horror movie to say the least. Though it has been out shined by its sequel, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, which is an amazing look into its mythos. Anyone lucky enough to get a hold of Hellbound's soundtrack knows the beauty of Christopher Young's music. I digress. This DVD would be nice to see on Blu-ray because there aren't too many great extras on this 20th Anniversary edition. Like I said, it is good for true fans only. I wish there were more tidbits in it about the mythos of the Cenobites and the Labyrinth. Guess I'll have to wait and read The Scarlet Gospels when it comes out. There's suppose to be a lot of background information in it and it's suppose to be the end of Pinhead/ Xipe Totec. If you have a Blu-ray or HDDVD player, wait until this baby comes out in one of those formats. You'll just have to buy it again later...it'll probably have more extras at that time too.

What's great about it: It's the Original

What's not so great: It's not Hellbound: Hellraiser II

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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Customer Rating

Classic Essential Horror

on September 22, 2008

Posted by: GnomeChomsky

from PA

Essential film for horror fans. The beginning chapter of the Hellraiser series is a little less gory than the proceeding film (Hellraiser 2). The reason for this is that more time is spent on developing the story, characters, setting, etc. This in no way shape or form means this is a bad film! It's just more plot than blood and guts (but there are more blood and guts present than a large number of horror films that came before its release in '87.)

Anyway, I recommend you watch Hellraiser 1 & 2 and don't waste your time with any of the other poorly made sequels.

What's great about it: Amazing makeup effects, pinhead, great storyline

What's not so great: Not the best acting,

I would recommend this to a friend!

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This review is fromHellraiser [Blu-ray] [1987].

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Customer Rating

Great movie

on March 12, 2009

Posted by: Frostymon

from Lake Charles, La

The first of a series of Hellraiser movies, still the best.

What's great about it: Will scare the bejesus out of you

What's not so great: it is, after all, fantasy....isn't it?

I would recommend this to a friend!

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