THE HOUSE OF SEVEN CORPSES [1974]

Trespassers beware in THE HOUSE OF SEVEN CORPSES. Beal Mansion is the most conveniently creepy location Eric Hartman could have stumbled upon for the filming of his upcoming horror movie. Although seemingly perfect in appearance, its violent history proves otherwise. Seven members of the Beal family met their demise in the most unforeseen circumstances, permanently tainting the house and all who may enter. The last resident to expire was a woman who practiced witchcraft, further darkening the tenebrous aura of the home. Despite the revolting past of the estate and expressed concern from Edgar, the cryptic caretaker, hardheaded Eric settles inside with his submissive cast and crew. Using the stories behind each death that occurred within the mansion’s walls as basis for the plot of the film only causes affliction. Perhaps the greatest misstep that Eric takes as a director is permitting the reenactment of witchcraft rituals from the Tibetan Book of the Dead. As a non-believer in the supernatural, he has no fear, but his cast feels apprehensive. Unbeknownst to all, as lead actress Gayle recites passages from the evil publication, she is slowly beckoning a homicidal corpse from its grave.

THE HOUSE OF SEVEN CORPSES is a dormant volcano of a horror film. The opening credits instill immense excitement; a gloomy hymn accompanies gruesome shots revealing how each member of the Beal family met their untimely death. Naturally, such heaviness early on could lead one to expect some insanely hair-raising scenes of manslaughter, freak accidents, and (most of all) hauntings. Instead, we are forced to swallow a heaping amount of monotonous build-up, topped off with numerous temper tantrums brought to you by Eric, the severely unhinged director. In all fairness, Eric’s animosity towards his team is more amusing than it is loathsome. It isn’t until the last thirty minutes that the accumulation of slightly bizarre happenings finally transitions to more thrilling events, such as gun slaying and the discovery of an actress hanging in a doorway. However, the hype failed miserably at delivering an explosive finale. The very last scene is the only notable one; the start and stop motion of the camera captures a beautiful closing image while ghostly music romanticizes the mood. In conclusion, you’ll likely fall asleep before the zombie wakes up.

Rating: 3/10

Director: Paul Harrison

Cast: John Ireland, Faith Domergue, John Carradine
Country: USA