28 March 2022

Review: House of the Long Shadows

DVD & Blu-ray: House of the Long Shadows (1983)

Directed by Pete Walker and starring Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and John Carradine, House of the Long Shadows is the horror equivalent of The Expenbables, where a group of ageing genre stars are thrown together in fan pleasing fashion, and much akin to The Expendables, its horror sibling doesn’t always hit the cinematic highs that you hoped for, but the mere presence of all the familiar faces is still enough to raise a big smile throughout.

Played with tongue so far in cheek there are moments when it could burst through any of the actors faces with a bloody splatter, the film is based on Earl Derr Biggers’ 1913 novel Seven Keys to Baldpate, which has been adapted on numerous occasions for film, radio and TV.

The narrative is based around Kenneth Magee (Desi Arnaz Jr.), a writer who has wagered $20,000 with his publisher that he can write a novel of the caliber of Wuthering Heights in 24 hours.

Settling himself into a secluded old mansion, Magee discovers that he is not alone there, and the mix of characters who make their acquaintance with him and initially seem friendly, are soon discovered to not be all that they appear.

While not the best movie that any of the horror icons have been in, the very fact that they are sharing the screen together makes it fascinating viewing for all horror fans, and the silly sense of humour running throughout just adds another layer of enjoyability.

The special features include a commentary track by Director Pete Walker and Derek Pykett that is well worth listening to.

SPECIAL FEATURES: