Haus der toten Seelen

If there's one thing "Dood Eind" can teach us, it is that even the Dutch know about all the dreadful clichés of the horror genre and that it took until now, late 2006, before they processed them all into one lame movie. I'm pretty sure that, if this movie was made in any other country, it never would have seen the light of day, but since it's the Netherlands and since this nation is desperately craving its very own horror tradition, "Dood Eind" got exaggeratedly promoted in the specialized press and on websites. The story revolves on themes that you've seen a thousand times before already and largely blends the plots of the overrated films "Blair Witch Project" and "Ju-On: The Grudge". The writers, however, claim that their main inspiration was Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead", but I spotted very few similarities between that classic and this pretentious piece of junk, apart from the ominous woods and the book of the dead. Seven friends that haven't seen each other since their childhood (and actually can't stand each other anymore...) come together for a reunion trip in the Scottish countryside. On the first night around the campfire, the group is attacked by ravenous dogs and they're forced to take refugee in an abandoned house. Minor mistake, as it soon turns out that the house is haunted by the restless spirit of a woman whose baby got killed over a hundred years ago on suspicion of witchery. A haunted house? Dwelling ghosts?? Really? That's so original... NOT! Naturally it doesn't take long before all the clichés start following each other at fast pace. Spontaneously slamming doors, eerie noises coming from the attic and the occasional sudden appearance of a pale-faced ghost lady, they're all there. Stereotypes are well-presented as well, as the clique of seven contains a coward, a bitch, a macho, etc.. Strange fiery mucus that grows on the walls kills most of the Dutch trespassers, and the remaining survivors have to try and understand the house's history if they ever want to get out alive. Technically speaking, the film is okay. The budget was extremely low, but it was nevertheless enough to come up with a handful of decent visual effects and adequate filming locations. Even the acting performances are acceptable, although some of the players are difficult to understand even if you speak the same language. Nope, the problem with "Dood Eind" is purely the substance. There's never any tension since you can feel the 'twists' and 'shocks' coming well in advance and especially the climax is really pathetic. There's still hope for the Dutch horror film (check out "Sl8N8"), but "Dood Eind" is a production better left ignored.

I saw this film on the first day it was released. I was glad it finally came, it would have been earlier. I had bad expectations, but as a Dutch horror fan and maker, I hoped it wouldn't be that bad.

But no matter how low my expectations were, the film was worse. It starts with the screenplay. Barely a story (the first half hour is mainly slowly walking through hallways with flashlights), uninteresting characters (you don't care if they live or die), and awful dialog. For no reason this story takes place in Scotland. Which leads to a Dutch actress talking half Englisch/ half what's-supposed-to-be Scottisch. Very funny, not intended to be.

Every horror scene is just one familiar from other American/Japanese films, badly imitated. The only things that are okay for Dutch standards are the score and the visual effects (not all of them). But this does not a good movie make!

I find it common sense that the makers had to search far and wide for investors, since this is obviously a piece of crap. And then comes the news that Tarantino's company is interested in making a remake. I'm sorry, but we can do much much better than this, when it comes to Dutch horror. Do NOT let this be the representative film for Dutch horror in the new millennium.

OK, let me start off by saying something nice: 1: some of the special effects were quite good. (some weren't) 2: the lighting was very well done.

now, because I don't want to get too upset about it I will keep it short.

it sucked...it really did. there was no suspense at all. You'll almost fall asleep while waiting for something scary to happen.

The scenario and the director are most to blame. I can't believe he won an award for this! the acting is quite bad but mainly because of the dialog. I'm sure this is the best they could do with it.

the fact that it all happens in Scotland is just ridiculous! and the dutch woman trying to speak Scottish is just pathetic. I mean - they used Scottish kids in the movie so why couldn't they use a Scottish actress? trés horrible! (horror in the wrong kind of way.)

yet what disturbs me the most is the ending. that's probably why it's called dead end. because there is no. It's like they couldn't come up with a good ending so they let the actors improvise or something like that...hell, I don't know.

What I do understand is Tarantino's companies' interest in it because with the humor and real horror I'm sure Tarantino is able to bring in it can make it a good movie. (if he uses different actors and changes the script.) - but that's why they said they were interested in making a remake and not having it released in America.

so, I gave it 2 stars for the effects and lighting. and that's the most I can give to this piece of dogpoo. horror at its worst!

I went to the cinema without having any good hope for the movie whatsoever, the TMF campaign and all gave a cheap and baldy hyped image of the whole movie, so my view on it wasn't that positive. Overlooking some of the cliché moments and effects, this turned out to be a rather unfair judgment.

I was surprised by the overall quality of the movie, the attention to detail and the atmosphere created in some of the scenes. We all know survival horrors aren't always that interesting nor scary, this movie however gave it a twist. For a change, it had almost had me poop my pants certain moments. And I wasn't the only one, I remember the audience laughing and reacting overwhelmed by moments like, lets say the mirror scene. Which in my opinion was very well though out. The way Everon Jackson Hooi showed fear made me sit on top of my chair in that scene, not actually wanting to see what it was that made him so scared.

Overall, for a first time dutch movie in this genre I thought it worked out great. A must see for dutchies, and maybe even people outside of Holland. I'd say, subtitle it and bring out an international version and see what the world thinks.

Picked this DVD up on a five-hour wait in Schiphol and watched it that night in a hotel room. I was hoping that it would have some of that black-humour quality that 'De Lift' has, but this movie really doesn't have much to recommend it at all. The pacing is off, the story is lacking and by an hour into the movie, the urge to turn it off and check my email instead was slowly becoming overwhelming. Still, I watched the rest of it, and it's just as bad as other reviews suggest that it is. As a rule, you stop caring about the characters long before you find out what happens to them. So disappointing... but next time I pass through Schiphol I'll still be checking the Dutch DVD section in the airport shops...