"It's from Clive Barker so it's definitely great!"
--- WEBMASTER
Plot:
Having made his reputation as one of the most prolific and gifted horror writers of his generation
(prompting Stephen King to call him "the future of horror"), Clive Barker made a natural transition
to movies with this audacious directorial debut from 1987. Not only did Barker serve up a chilling
tale of devilish originality,he also introduced new icons of horror that since have become as
popular among genre connoisseurs as Frankenstein's monster and the Wolfman. Foremost
among these frightful visions is the sadomasochistic demon affectionately named Pinhead
(so named because his pale, bald head is a geometric pincushion and a symbol of eternal pain).
Pinhead is the leader of the Cenobites, agents of evil who appear only when someone successfully
"solves" the exotic puzzle box called the Lamont Configuration--a mysterious device that
opens the door to Hell. The puzzle's latest victim is Frank (Sean Chapman), who now lives in a
gelatinous skeletal state in an upstairs room of the British home just purchased by his newlywed
half-brother (Andrew Robinson, best known as the villain from Dirty Harry),who has married one of
Frank's former lovers (Claire Higgins). The latter is recruited to supply the cannibalistic Frank with
fresh victims, enabling him to reconstitute his own flesh -- but will Frank succeed in
restoring himself completely? Will Pinhead continue to demonstrate the flesh-ripping pleasures of
absolute agony? Your reaction to this description should tell you if you've got the stomach for
Barker's film, which has since spawned a number of interesting but inferior sequels. It's definitely
not for everyone,but there's no denying that it's become a semiclassic of modern horror.
Cast and Crew:
Directed by:
Clive Barker
Andrew Robinson (I).... Larry:
Clare Higgins.... Julia
Ashley Laurence.... Kirsty
Sean Chapman.... Frank
Oliver Smith (I).... Frank the Monster
Robert Hines.... Steve
Doug Bradley......Pinhead
Nicholas Vince.... Chattering Cenobite
Simon Bamford.... "Butterball" Cenobite
Grace Kirby.... Female Cenobite
and House of Horrors homepage.
