Review of The Legend of Hell House (1973) by Ashley D — 19 Jun 2012

It may not be as good as Robert Wises the Haunting ,but on the whole this ghost story has enough going for it to sustain some interest.

Written by Richard Matheson from his own novel the film is the basic old dark house premise with some science bits added for good measure.

Scientist Dr Chris Barret is challenged with the task with proving that a country house really is haunted .

In his tak to prove or disprove this theory he is joined by his wife and two mediums on of whom survived a previous attempt to fine the truth after the house killed other investigators.

Roddy McDowell plays the survivor who is afraid to let the house get inside his head while Pamela Franklin plays the other medium who maybe driven crazy by the house and its power.

Director John Hough keeps the tension suitably high and despite some cheesy parts the film does have some scary moments with Delia Darbishers electronic soundtrack providing a suitably eerie mood.

Best seen in Tandem with the Haunting this film once again proves that folks likehaving the pants scared off them.

Good fun.