Disc Reviews

Hellraiser The Scarlet Box Review

23rd Oct 2015

The Hellraiser series has often been released and re-released with only the first three films included. It’s an odd combination (we suspect mainly due to who owns the rights for the other sequels). Whilst the first two movies join together perfectly as they had pretty much the same crew on board, the inclusion of the third film does see the show head off to America despite a few carry-overs from the first two films (Including the writer of the second movie – But to be fair he also wrote the fourth).

But just to untangle from that debate about what should and should not be included from a fans perspective – this it is indeed the first three films you get and all three of them have been given a 2K remaster and polish. All three also come with extensive extras as well. But first a look at the films themselves.

Hellraiser tells the story almost from the supposed “villains” perspective as Frank (a man looking to be taking the edge and beyond when it comes to self fulfilment and pleasure) purchases, uses and is torn apart by a magic box.

His remains are resurrected by the blood of his brother Larry when he and his family move into the home which frank was using to conduct his ceremony. And it just so happens that Larry’s wife, Julia, still has a huge thing for Frank (thanks in no small part to an affair the two had just prior to the wedding of Larry and Julia).

Julia then sets about aiding Frank restore himself to his full human form with the need to bring in victims for Frank to absorb. But along the way Larry’s daughter Kirsty soon becomes embroiled death it seems looms for many!

The original film is still to this day a classic that pushed the boundaries of not only low budget film making, but also introduced cinema to a whole new world of horror. The remaster serves the film well to this end and should hopefully generate further interest in the series.

Hellbound: Hellraiser II takes the story further, but this time with Julia stepping into the resurrected place that Frank was resided in. Kirsty once again finds herself battling evil, only this time in a lunatic asylum headed up by a sadistic doctor.

The latter part of the film dares to open the doors to hell itself offering the viewer a very esher like labyrinth to discover.

Whilst not quite the innovator that was the first film, the second film does still offer plenty in the way of visual delights as well as some very memorable dialogue – notably from the series poster child, Pindhead.

Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth stumbles and rather lazily resorts to slasher territory as Pinhead comes to the fore as he enters our domain. Lucky for us there is a rather well to do investigative reporter on hand to dig up the past, as well as the human ghost of pinhead in order to battle back the incoming forces of evil.

We reckon however that the moment you start sticking CD’s in coenobites, it’s all over.

The Extras:
Each film has two commentary tracks. There are some retro making of documentaries as well from maybe a decade ago – and it is here where you find most of Clive Barker and actress Ashley Laurence’s input. Barker off the bat says in the first documentary that this is the last time he is going to talk about the subject – which explains his absence from the latest documentary. There are also vintage interviews from Doug Bradley which has a slim amount of cross-over stories from the updated Leviathan documentaries, but nothing that should irritate anyone

Speaking of which – the real meat that fans will look forward to hooking their, er, meat hooks into will be the Leviathan documentary. Part 1 on the Hellraiser disc is itself 90 minutes long and goes as in depth into the making of the first film as you need.

The second part which appears on the second disc, detailing the sequels production is an astonishing 2 hours long! The third disc also comes with a making of the third film, but at a more sedate 40 minutes with a much less impressive host of cast and crew making an appearance.

Sean Chapman (who played Frank) shows up from two lengthy interviews which sees the actor very cleverly dissect the role he played.

There is also an interesting interview revealing details about an abandoned score by the band Coil.

One of the bonuses for Hellraiser III is you also get access to an unrated version – which it desperately needs if you are familiar with the theatrical version.

But it doesn’t stop there. There is a fourth disc that takes the documentary features further with Hellraiser: Evolutions which charts the further sequels of the franchise and includes some notable faces.

There are some Clive Barker short films, A literary tour of Clive barkers work by author David Gatward.

Add to all of this a 20 page booklet, a set of 5 art cards, a reversible poster and a 200 page hardback book and you are laughing all the way to the checkout!