Saw this when I was 11 years old (1988). It was 11pm when I pressed play. I couldn't leave the front room til my dad got back from nights at 6.30. I was terrified. Nothing else scared me like that til Ghostwatch.
The best thing about this film is that it deals with hell and demons without having to get too religious. Bit like event horizon. It makes it creepier because there's an absence of God.
Well, the second movie had the "Leviathan" which worked as some sort of prime deity/God of that universe. I never thought of it as the Biblical hell either. More of an evil sado-masochistic dimension.
Hellraiser is not only a refreshingly brilliant Horror film from the awfully bland and formulaic 80s horror films. The film is very much different than the novel and the film and book though are both very thoughtful and imaginative they are. I’d love to see Hellraiser on the big screen again. *Happy Birthday Hellraiser*
I saw this film when I was eleven, have always thought it was amazing, never seams to age, it was released in the video rental shop at exactly the same time as David cronenbergs the fly, another amazing movie, I think I rented them at the same time, well my dad did, don’t think it affected me too much being underage.
Hellraiser is one of my favorite horror films ever. The sequels really don't hit what this one does, even with its rough edges and budgetary restraints. I love the exploration of the desires and evil within the human heart, and how Barker just made a bold statement with the film amidst a time littered with declining slasher franchises and a few cult vampire films that failed at the box office. He did drive the boundaries of horror further outwards, and showed a new vision of what horror could be. I also love Lord of Illusions for all its meshing of film noir detective tale with supernatural horror and its back drop of magic. Barker could be truly unique, and Hellraiser is pure evidence of that. Beyond that, I really enjoy listening to Clive talk about all things creative and horror related. He's quite fascinating and compelling.
1st horror film i ever saw at the cinema. Got me into loving the horror genre. Couldn't wait fir the video release and rushed to hire it when it was imagine my disappointment to finding out that certain scenes were missing on the vhs. Never found an original cinema cut of this film
30 years... I too remember going to see it alone and reveling in the gore and the horror of Hellraiser. It came at the right time just when Freddy and Jason were going camp.
I'll take the opportunity to give some cretit to the fifth sequel, Hellraiser: Inferno which is both really underrated and works as a standalone movie.
I think the clip is actually from the second film? I love the concept of Hellraiser and preferred the second as i think it was closer to his initial ideas in the short story. Although the first one was a fantastic introduction to the Cenobites and the box, I was disappointed when they simply became monsters to chase Kirsty around the house once they got what they wanted. The second one portrayed them as completely amoral, but held to their rules/code in that they could be bargained with, or ignore an innocent girl if she was coerced/tricked into opening the box. One of the best things about Barkers worlds is the sub-culture of people that know about the central plot device, and how normal folks get pulled in via said subculture.
I would say the first Hellraiser sequel, Hellbound: Hellraiser II is actually quite decent. It goes more into explaining what the Cenobites are, what He'll is even like, and even more interesting concepts like Leviathan. Those first two Hellraisers are must see, but after that, it's all downhill.
I found it too horrific because the Cenobites didn't care whether you deserved their torture or not. You couldn't fight them, and there was no higher power to which you could appeal.
Saw it at the BFI last week. So imaginative. Hampered by some terrible FX and the overdubbed American accents, and not particularly scary, but still packs a perverse punch.
If they did reboot and recast Hellraiser I'd love to see Andy Serkis as Pinhead as I think he's a very under rated actor and between his work as Smeagol and Gollum has proven he can play the emotional depth of Pinhead, while I also feel his new role as Klaw in Black Panther shows he could also portray the cold cunning and ruthlessness that Pinhead has. Also while I love practical effects I'd love to see what could be done for Pinhead with mocap as as great as Doug Bradley's Pinhead is....I've always felt his Pinhead make up has always looked pretty fake especially on Blu Ray.
I doubt Andy can do a voice that deep unless they slow down the audio or auto tune it which always sounds awful. So unless they give him a canister of xenon it's not going to work.
I've not seen It for years. Pinhead Is a horror Icon, not just visually but with some of his perverted speech. He Is a memorable character unlike most of todays Insipid offerings.
I'm new to horror, having started watching it about eighteen months ago. I found Hellraiser REALLY dull. To me the best horror films, like the best SciFi, get you to examine not only humanity, but yourself. How far would you be prepared to go, or how much could you bear? The only thing I had to bear with Hellraiser was how long I had to look at a room where very little was happening, for a VERY long time.
Badly compromised by dubbing all minor characters with American accents,while clearly shot in England.Hellraiser 2,which starts on the same night,set in US..
I was massively disappointed by Hellraiser. It was basically an 80s soap opera until its last few minutes, when it became a bog standard 80s slasher. Yeah the blood and perversity were intriguing, but they were set dressing.
wratched When I saw it for the first time, I was also disappointed to an extent. Too many people claiming it to be a great film, I think. It's a bit of (mostly) fun nonsense, really. Some interesting ideas, but a late-night TV thing rather than a movie.
Saw this when I was 11 years old (1988).
It was 11pm when I pressed play. I couldn't leave the front room til my dad got back from nights at 6.30. I was terrified. Nothing else scared me like that til Ghostwatch.
The best thing about this film is that it deals with hell and demons without having to get too religious. Bit like event horizon. It makes it creepier because there's an absence of God.
“Where We’re Going We Won’t Need Eyes To See! Do You See? Do You See?!? DO YOU SEE?!?!?!”
Well, the second movie had the "Leviathan" which worked as some sort of prime deity/God of that universe.
I never thought of it as the Biblical hell either. More of an evil sado-masochistic dimension.
Demons to others.
Jesus wept
Alan Angel tell me if you think this is creepy, its real. czcams.com/video/DO5mGpx_7mU/video.html
I remember watching this on LSD. Managed to keep a sense of reality about the whole experience right up to "Jesus wept". Those were the days.
To this day when I think of the greatest horror movies of all time it's Hellraiser, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Evil Dead, The Exorcist & Alien.
Hellraiser is not only a refreshingly brilliant Horror film from the awfully bland and formulaic 80s horror films. The film is very much different than the novel and the film and book though are both very thoughtful and imaginative they are.
I’d love to see Hellraiser on the big screen again.
*Happy Birthday Hellraiser*
"We're all books of blood,
Whenever we're opened, we're red."
-CB
I saw this film when I was eleven, have always thought it was amazing, never seams to age, it was released in the video rental shop at exactly the same time as David cronenbergs the fly, another amazing movie, I think I rented them at the same time, well my dad did, don’t think it affected me too much being underage.
Hellraiser is one of my favorite horror films ever. The sequels really don't hit what this one does, even with its rough edges and budgetary restraints. I love the exploration of the desires and evil within the human heart, and how Barker just made a bold statement with the film amidst a time littered with declining slasher franchises and a few cult vampire films that failed at the box office. He did drive the boundaries of horror further outwards, and showed a new vision of what horror could be. I also love Lord of Illusions for all its meshing of film noir detective tale with supernatural horror and its back drop of magic. Barker could be truly unique, and Hellraiser is pure evidence of that. Beyond that, I really enjoy listening to Clive talk about all things creative and horror related. He's quite fascinating and compelling.
I make sure I watch it every year. They are my all time favorite horrors. 1&2.
No CGI ... old school practical effects shots are always the best... when done well of course.
I want mark saying 'deliciously kinky' as my text tone
1st horror film i ever saw at the cinema. Got me into loving the horror genre. Couldn't wait fir the video release and rushed to hire it when it was imagine my disappointment to finding out that certain scenes were missing on the vhs. Never found an original cinema cut of this film
30 years... I too remember going to see it alone and reveling in the gore and the horror of Hellraiser. It came at the right time just when Freddy and Jason were going camp.
I'll take the opportunity to give some cretit to the fifth sequel, Hellraiser: Inferno which is both really underrated and works as a standalone movie.
We have such sights to show you. Such pleasure, such pain!
Not a horror fan in the slightest but I agree totally here Hellraiser is a "delicious" movie and Pinhead an absolutely amazing iconic character.
Fantastic don't forget Hellreasier 2 with Dr'Cunard it's amazing as well.
I think the clip is actually from the second film? I love the concept of Hellraiser and preferred the second as i think it was closer to his initial ideas in the short story. Although the first one was a fantastic introduction to the Cenobites and the box, I was disappointed when they simply became monsters to chase Kirsty around the house once they got what they wanted. The second one portrayed them as completely amoral, but held to their rules/code in that they could be bargained with, or ignore an innocent girl if she was coerced/tricked into opening the box. One of the best things about Barkers worlds is the sub-culture of people that know about the central plot device, and how normal folks get pulled in via said subculture.
I loved that cinema in Salford. It's sadly been closed for a long time, and has now bee knocked down for flats or something :(
Hands down favorite horror franchise. My introduction to the genre!
I would say the first Hellraiser sequel, Hellbound: Hellraiser II is actually quite decent. It goes more into explaining what the Cenobites are, what He'll is even like, and even more interesting concepts like Leviathan. Those first two Hellraisers are must see, but after that, it's all downhill.
My favourite horror of all time "This is not for your eyes"
Audio levels....come on lads Sound is half the Picture
'Come to daddy'
Classic film
Love hellraiser
I found it too horrific because the Cenobites didn't care whether you deserved their torture or not. You couldn't fight them, and there was no higher power to which you could appeal.
We'll tear your soul apaaaart! - so ominous
Awe, no crying. It's a waste of good suffering!
Saw it at the BFI last week. So imaginative. Hampered by some terrible FX and the overdubbed American accents, and not particularly scary, but still packs a perverse punch.
Ah I love Clive Barker. Best horror writer bar none, in my opinion.
If they did reboot and recast Hellraiser I'd love to see Andy Serkis as Pinhead as I think he's a very under rated actor and between his work as Smeagol and Gollum has proven he can play the emotional depth of Pinhead, while I also feel his new role as Klaw in Black Panther shows he could also portray the cold cunning and ruthlessness that Pinhead has. Also while I love practical effects I'd love to see what could be done for Pinhead with mocap as as great as Doug Bradley's Pinhead is....I've always felt his Pinhead make up has always looked pretty fake especially on Blu Ray.
You have literally described what most fans of Hellraiser would hate.
I doubt Andy can do a voice that deep unless they slow down the audio or auto tune it which always sounds awful. So unless they give him a canister of xenon it's not going to work.
2:15
Just watched it yesterday.
Not for the first time I mean
Hellraiser is great, but Barker's greatest works are his two books: Imajica and Weaveworld.
Jesus wept!!
Masterpiece
Would make a good double bill with Martyrs for weird, slightly kinky, quasi religious torture based horror.
TheHitherto hahaha
I still look away at the bit with the nail 😅
Yes this film awesome.
i thought the open movie clips [and end clip] where from 'Hellbound' and not from 'Hellraiser'
And they still won't let Clive have the rights to his own property back...
Loved this as a 12 year old
Must of seen it 30 times
Frank....ly...
Does anyone feel that Event Horizon could be in the same movie universe as Hellraiser ?
I love the first 3 Hellraiser films. 4 and 5 were okay. I would rather not talk about the rest.
I've not seen It for years. Pinhead Is a horror Icon, not just visually but with some of his perverted speech. He Is a memorable character unlike most of todays Insipid offerings.
JULIA!
“>:•D Come To Daddy! >:•D”
I'm new to horror, having started watching it about eighteen months ago.
I found Hellraiser REALLY dull.
To me the best horror films, like the best SciFi, get you to examine not only humanity, but yourself.
How far would you be prepared to go, or how much could you bear?
The only thing I had to bear with Hellraiser was how long I had to look at a room where very little was happening, for a VERY long time.
HellRaiser - Classic modern horror, Actually think the first 3 are a awesome trilogy.
Do you have a towel?
Where can I book tickets for this?
Badly compromised by dubbing all minor characters with American accents,while clearly shot in England.Hellraiser 2,which starts on the same night,set in US..
I was massively disappointed by Hellraiser. It was basically an 80s soap opera until its last few minutes, when it became a bog standard 80s slasher. Yeah the blood and perversity were intriguing, but they were set dressing.
wratched When I saw it for the first time, I was also disappointed to an extent. Too many people claiming it to be a great film, I think. It's a bit of (mostly) fun nonsense, really. Some interesting ideas, but a late-night TV thing rather than a movie.