The House of Usher

Director - Alan Birkinshaw (The Masque of the Red Death, Killer's Moon)

Starring - Oliver Reed (The Brood, Burnt Offerings), Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Prince of Darkness), and Romy Windsor (Howling IV: The Original Nightmare, Camp Nowhere)

Release Date - 1989

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Edgar Allan Poe's vision of horror is now a new motion picture"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most influential writers in the horror genre and no one would question that.  I was born in the 80s and lived through the 90s so a lot of my time was spent in the local video store.  The late 80s and the early 90s was another revival of Poe adaptations.  Full Moon was one of the companies leading the charge but they were not the only company cashing in on another Poe boom.  In 1989 Alan Birkinshaw directed Oliver Reed and Donald Pleasence in The House of Usher which was based on Poe's Fall of the House of Usher.  The House of Usher was released on blu by Vinegar Syndrome as part of their VSA line and after Cthulhu Manson I couldn't wait to give this one a spin.  

     The film follows a young couple who are visiting the young man's uncle in his mansion when they have a car accident.  She is able to walk away from the crash and the nearby home, the Usher estate, is where they were heading.  His uncle tells her he will get his nephew to the hospital while she brings him into his home.  However, strange things begin to happen and she learns that his uncle intended to kill his nephew so he could marry and reproduce with his future bride.

     I was concerned when I didn't hear genre fans, as well as, Vinegar Syndrome collectors talking about this film.  Cthulhu Manson was far from perfect but it was an entertaining film but horror fans were silent on this release.  The House of Usher was similar to CM.  It was far from perfect and rough around the edges but I enjoyed it.  The fact that genre fans are ignoring this one is a tragedy.  I liked it but I do know the film's short comings.  The acting in this one was actually pretty fun.  Oliver Reed delivers a pretty fun performance but he does get a little cheesy at times.  I really enjoyed his character but his performance is overshadowed by the insane and ridiculous performance from legend Donald Pleasence.  I was not expecting this type of character from him and he fucking delivers.  I wanted more of this and would give anything to see him portray a character like this in another movie.  With that being said, I was surprised by Romy Windsor's performance.  This is not the first film I've seen with her in it but she was channeling her inner Susan Sarandon here.  I liked her performance here and she really gets into character.  The supporting cast is solid with some of the characters being a little more entertaining than others.  The story for this one is based on Poe's story but It's been many, many years since I read it.  I can't recall his written story at all so this review is based purely on the movie itself.  The way the story unfolds leaves it open to be predictable and very clunky at times.  It's not as neat and smooth as it should have been but that doesn't stop it from being fun.  The predictability does take away from the impact of some of the scenes but if you seen one movie like this then you know exactly what to expect.  Finally, this one has a few deaths but don't expect a gory mess.  We do get some blood and a little bit of practical effects but these are easily forgettable.  The kills are nowhere near as fun as I would have liked.  Overall, The House of Usher is another solid release from the fine folks at Vinegar Syndrome.  The movie is fun for a first time watch but may not be one that will stick with you.  Collectors will want to snag this one up.