Josephina
Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.
PeterMitchell-506-564364
By judging the front cover, in the 80's, you would of thought this movie would of been modernized, and in no way, British. But the Brits have their own style of horror, one I like and it is of generally good standard. Here we do have quite a hairy and unique a story, much like House Of Whipcord. Only problem is, it keeps falling flat, mostly throughout. In layman's terms, scenes drag, and it becomes a chore to watch. Most of the strained scenes involve our newcomers, one girl, going to see her Aunt, and a would be rocker Jason (Robin Askwith who really ruins the movie) heading to the same place she is, for what they think is a holiday retreat. But, unbeknown to them, it's a hotel disguised as a madhouse, run by nuts, one of course is her Aunt, where really, they have no idea what's in store for them. The person running the show, is Michael Gough, in a real creepy and sinister performance, as a doctor who performs brain operations on his vacationers/victims, where they become virtual human zombies, slave like, after being put in comatose states. The two heads chopping opening is one of the best parts of the film, where two victims tried to make a run for it. One victim, now a baddie, Cedric, of midget size, who saves the day in the end, was another good thing about it. Too, a friend of Askwith's checks into this faux motel, and we have another one in peril, a great up tempo rock tune at the prelude of the scene. Those two storm trooper guards look great on bikes too-something out of Mad Max. Gore runs low in this film, another low. But having to watch this film again, I'd rather feel more disinclined, than say, having to watch House of Whipcord. We too, discover the Aunt's part in this, where she's not as evil as we think. On the whole, Horror Hospital, quite scared me when I first saw it at 15, but now on the very odd re watch, I just find it drags, and it's about as scary as a fly. With the intriguing idea, back then, this horror could of eventuated into something better, with tighter plot development, and more gore. As it is, we have something far from exceptional.
Vomitron_G
What a wonderful surprise! Michael Gough as a mad doctor (with a few sick, disgusting and sexually perverted secrets) turning innocent people into lobotomized zombies on his holiday resort/experimental clinic/castle. Leading lady Vanessa Shaw generously showing total nudeness in a shower (aw, she's got such a sexy little belly) and in a bed while fooling around with Robin Askwith. A slick looking black Rolls Royce with the ability to decapitate victims while running for their lives (come on, you just gotta love that), a servant-dwarf turning into an unexpected hero, motorcycle guards that like to beat up Robin Askwith just for fun,... and I must be forgetting a zillion other things this little British shocker has going for it. Why it all worked so well, is because director/writer Antony Balch doesn't take it all too seriously, inserting some absurdities in the story and just not holding back on anything, really. And I didn't expect the acting to be as decent as it was, in an early 70's schlocky picture of this type. Pretty strange thing to say, come to think of it. Who'd care about acting in a film like this?
Cemetarygirl
Thanks to the advent of DVD creators who see a buck in putting classics such as Horror Hospital on disc we are fortunate not to loose such a gem. The movie has everything. Mad doctor (in a wheelchair) person of small stature as assistant. Hard-faced matron who is in love with the good doctor, Sex, groovy chicks and guys, a rock band and a beautiful Gothic Mansion, that any true horror buff would love to reside in. So young guy Jason ripped off by his band and to add insult to injury gets his nose broken in the process, is told by his friends that a holiday would be just the shot. Pan to Hairy Holidays (I don't remember ads in papers being that amateurish) so off he trots. Meets Price who has a thing for young boys (but not thing enough to steer young Jason away from his next adventure) and off he goes to the Manor sans luggage. On the train he meets a charming young girl eating her meat paste sandwiches and after a decent amount of chat-up. Off they trot to the Manor. The stationmaster informs the Manor and they are picked up by 2 useful people in black leather gear and helmets (in the days before helmets where compulsory, and people rarely wore them) Now these 2 helmet wearing leather clad 'dudes' come in very useful and tend to have the ability to be in several places at once (check the credits out) So the Mad scientist and assistant have just decapitated 2 escapees with a very sharp blade that appears out the side of the car.(How it manages to be at the correct height to do this on every individual I don't quite understand...but hey!) Now Jason and his girl have become lovers as in such a huge mansion there is only one room available and they will have to share. Shining moments for me are the little persons eye acting, and the first visit to the dining room where white-faced zombiesque young people with visible scars sit sans conversation, sans motion, sans brain function and the two new residents find it only a little odd. Oh and back to the biker 'dudes' they fight, they get killed they appear out of everywhere and keep on keeping on (again see credits) The movie has some laugh out loud moments and I truly enjoyed it as you can watch it again and again. So for those interested see a naked girl and a shirtless guy. See a film regarding Dr's experiments where the light just does not hide the guys genitals. See a film with lots of horror, laughter and substance. A fun way to spend an evening. Pass the wine friend.
