The Legend of Hell House – 1973 | 95 mins | Horror | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Atmospheric supernatural shocker adapted by horror writer Richard Matheson from his own novel. An ingeniously devised ghost story in the tradition of The Haunting (1963) and House on Haunted Hill (1958), The Legend of Hell House will thrill and delight in equal measure from the first creaking door to the very last slithering shadow. John Hough’s stylish direction and lavish sets bring an element of apprehensive realism to a genre often inclined to rely on clichéd shocks and special effects.

Dying millionaire Rudolph Deutsch (Roland Culver) offers a large sum of money to sceptical physicist Dr. Lionel Barrett (Clive Revill) to prove or disprove life beyond death. Deutsch demands the scientist investigate a haunted mansion of his choosing, and so a brave quartet of psychic researchers agree to spend a week in the mansion that has stood empty for many years.

The four include psychic medium Fischer (Roddy McDowall), the sole survivor of an investigation into the house 20 years earlier and steadfast in his belief of paranormal activity. Mental medium Miss Tanner, (Pamela Franklin) is convinced she will be able to communicate with any malevolent spirits if they exist. Barrett completes the four, a firm non-believer wishing to debunk the psychic’s theories who is joined by his young wife Ann (Gayle Hunnicutt).

Upon entry into the house the quartet are greeted by a gramophone recording from the house’s previous and long-time dead owner Emeric Belasco; a notorious sadist who died within the house. The sensitive Miss Tanner becomes the first one to make contact with the resident spirits when a cautionary ghost possess her and hands out a forewarning that the group should depart the house or peril awaits. Miss Tanner believes the spirit to be that of Belacso’s son Daniel, but the others choose to ignore her warning and stay. The next to be possessed is Mrs. Barrett, the sexually repressed wife appears to be innocently sleepwalking but when confronted by Fischer swiftly abandons her clothes to reveal her naked body.

Soon the house becomes more malevolent towards its guests and Miss Tanner is the victim of a vicious attack by a black cat. Before long a temporarily possessed Mrs. Barrett unsuccessfully attempts to seduce Fischer for a second time whilst her impassive husband watches on. The cynical Barrett has brought along a machine that he believes will drain the house of its supernatural energy, and ignores Fischer’s warnings that the best way to stay alive is to not confront the house.

Believing Barrett’s ‘reverser’ machine will send the spirit of Belasco’s dead son, Daniel, to another hell, Miss Tanner visits the mansion’s resident chapel to plead with him – only to discover she has been fatally deceived. Barrett engages his machine to finally exorcise the house of its paranormal inhabitants but once again its the residence that proves to have the element of surprise. Ultimately its left to Fischer to confront the spectre of Belasco and uncover the dark secret contained within.