La casa che grondava sangue

Four stories written by Robert Bloch about various people who live in a beautiful, old mansion and what happens to them. The first has Denholm Elliott as a novelist who sees the killer he's writing about come to life. Some spooky moments and the twist at the end was good. The second has Peter Cushing becoming obsessed with a wax figure resembling his dead wife. The third has Christopher Lee who has a child (Chloe Franks) and is scared of her. It all leads up to a pretty scary ending (although the ending in the story was MUCH worse). The last is an out and out comedy with Jon Petwee and Ingrid Pitt (both chewing the scenery) and a cape that turns people into vampires! There's also a cute line about Christopher Lee playing Dracula.

This is a good horror anthology--nothing terrifying but the first one and the ending of the third gave me a few pleasurable little chills. Also the fourth one is actually very funny and Pitt makes a VERY sexy vampire! Also the house itself looks beautiful...and very creepy. It's well-directed with some nice atmospheric touches. A very good and unusual movie score too. All in all a good little horror anthology well worth seeking out. Try to see it on DVD--the Lions Gate one looks fantastic with strong colors and great sound.

In the English countryside there stands a house, a seemingly benign, ramshackle abode nestled amid the undergrowth and enveloped in mystery. Unfortunate incidents occur to those who stay at the place, as a detective finds out while investigating the disappearance of its' latest dweller. While on the case, he hears of four separate tales of woe that befell those who rented the house, each more macabre and chilling than the last, in Peter Duffell's marvelous horror-comedy 'The House That Dripped Blood.'

An anthology film consisting of four separate stories concerning the titular homestead, 'The House That Dripped Blood' is vintage British horror. Written by Robert Bloch (and an uncredited Russ Jones), the tales within the film are each and all entertaining, full of suspense and chills. The segments vary both in tone and in quality, with the Christopher Lee led "Sweets To The Sweet" impressing and frightening the most, and Jon Pertwee's camp parody "The Cloak" being the weakest offering of the bunch. The other two, "Method For Murder" and 'Waxworks" have their moments, but don't match the sinister atmosphere and psychological terror of Lee's segment and seem unfortunately rushed to market.

In anthology films, it's not uncommon for segments to vary in length, but the first two seem far shorter than the last ones, and this imbalance produces jarring effects. "Method For Murder" and 'Waxworks" breeze by- and while the lengthy, penultimate "Sweets To The Sweet" works brilliantly- the final episode, "The Cloak," feels like it's dragging on in comparison to what came before it. Its considerably lighter tone also means that it feels somewhat inconsequential and pointless. The three preceding stories are full of dark, seedy horror that sometimes drifts into humorous territory; while "The Cloak" fully embraces the comedic and comes across as rather silly and facile.

Though still entertaining, as the whole film is overall- not to mention being technically polished. Ray Parslow's cinematography is striking, and while this isn't exactly a Dario Argento film; it's got an assured visual style that's most impressive. Credit for the film's look must also go to Tony Curtis, whose work as art director has produced distinct results. Additionally, the score from Michael Dress is atmospheric and foreboding, and Peter Tanner's editing is swift and seamless. For a relatively low-budget affair, 'The House That Dripped Blood' has a lot to offer viewers.

Including some fine performances from a large cast of talented actors. Denholm Elliott and Joanna Dunham do good work in "Method For Murder," with Elliott's portrayal of a man descending into madness being especially notable. Peter Cushing is terrific as a lonely man inexplicably drawn to a waxwork figure in "Waxworks," and is on screen for far too short a time. Christopher Lee dominates the film as an austere father in "Sweets To The Sweet," giving a performance both restrained and intense that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled. From "The Cloak," Ingrid Pitt does memorable work, though is underutilized and overshadowed by her screen partner; the miscast Jon Pertwee (in a role, one might add, tailored for Vincent Price, who would have been perfect).

'The House That Dripped Blood' is a highly enjoyable anthology film that will thrill and chill in equal measure. Well written by Robert Bloch and featuring stylish visuals and an emotive Michael Dress score, the film readily impresses. Though the segments vary in quality, all are entertaining and one- "Sweets To The Sweet"- is nothing short of brilliant. Boasting a cast of stars performing strongly and deft direction from Peter Duffell, 'The House That Dripped Blood' is a fantastic voyage of fun and fear that is sure to frighten, please and amuse.

Don't let the title fool you, there is no blood in this film. THE HOUSE THAT DRIPPED BLOOD is a rather tame, four part anthology film about an old manor, and the untimely deaths of its occupants.

First, Denholm Elliot is a horror writer who moves into the house seeking inspiration for his next book. He no sooner dreams up a creepy character, than it appears to have come alive!

Next, Peter Cushing visits a wax museum, only to find something quite unexpected concerning one of the figures.

In the third segment, Christopher Lee is either a heartless father to his young daughter, or she is far more than she appears to be.

Finally, John Pertwee is a jaded horror actor, who stumbles upon a certain, very familiar cape in an occult shop. Lighthearted terror and mirth ensue. Co-stars Ingrid Pitt!

The wraparound story has a Scotland Yard detective trying to solve these cases. Entertaining, though not very frightening, it's still good to see Cushing and Lee in anything!...

The script of this ghoulish horror anthology is Robert Bloch at his diabolical best. I only saw this recently; I've wanted to see it for quite some time, but circumstances conspired, and I had to wait for the DVD release. But it was worth it!

This film is cartoonish throughout and constantly winks at the audience, but it also has an unwavering serious side. It's very sparing on special effects (and saves most of what little there is for the last segment), and is much more dependent on its actors. From the beginning, there is an outrageous over-the-top quality that is very reassuring--it's confident that it will deliver the horror its audience wants to see. Even the funniest segment (starring John Pertwee) manages to be rather disturbing. The box says "Rated PG - For Scary Images," and I must say, the sight of a vampiric Ingrid Pitt floating magically through the air towards one of her victims is a very scary image.

One of the things I like most about this movie is the way the humor and horror COEXIST in the film. The humor doesn't "negate" the horror or turn it into a joke. The horror doesn't "spoil" the humor or make it unfunny. Both elements are able to be taken seriously. Many horror comedies, especially modern ones, can't demonstrate such deft handling of their own elements. But this one moves in a sure-footed way, and that's all Robert Bloch. It's clear to me at least that he enjoyed his work, because such clear thinking is a sign the writer is having fun.

A surprisingly effective horror film from the early 70's that still packs a punch today. I have seen the other Amicus anthology films, and they're good, but this, for some reason, is the instant favorite.

The British production company Amicus is generally known as the specialist for horror anthologies, and this great omnibus called "The House That Dripped Blood" is doubtlessly the finest Amicus production I've seen so far (admittedly, there are quite a few that I have yet to see, though). "The House That Dripped Blood" consists of four delightfully macabre tales, all set in the same eerie mansion. These four stories are brought to you in a wonderfully Gothic atmosphere, and with one of the finest ensemble casts imaginable. Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee (Cushing and Lee are two of my favorite actors ever), as well as Denholm Elliott and the ravishing Ingrid Pitt star in this film - so which true Horror fan could possibly afford to miss it? No one, of course, and the film has much more to offer than just a great cast. "The House That Dripped Blood" revolves around an eerie rural mansion, in which strange things are happening. In four parts, the film tells the tales of four different heirs.

The first tale, "Method For Murder", tells the story of Horror novelist Charles Hyller (Denholm Elliott), who moves into the House with his wife. After moving in, the writer suddenly feels haunted by a maniac of his own creation... The first segment is a great kickoff to the film. The story is creepy and macabre throughout and the performances are entirelly very good.

In the second story, "Waxworks", retired businessman Phillip Grayson (Peter Cushing) moves into the house, and suddenly feels drawn to a mysterious Wax Museum in the nearby town... The great Peter Cushing once again delivers a sublime performance in this, and the rest of the performances are also very good. The tale is delightfully weird, and the second-best of the film, after the third.

The third tale, "Sweets To The Sweet" is by far the creepiest and most brilliant of the four. John Reed (Christopher Lee) moves in with his little daughter. The private teacher and nanny Mrs. Norton, whom Mr. Reed has employed to instruct his daughter, is appalled about her employer's strictness towards his daughter, and is eager to find out what reason the overprotective father's views on upbringing may have... This best segment maintains a very creepy atmosphere and a genuinely scary plot. Christopher Lee is, as always, superb in his role. Nyree Dawn Porter is also very good as the nanny, and my special praise goes to then 11-year-old Chloe Franks. This ingenious segment alone makes the film a must-see for every true Horror-fan.

In the fourth segment, Horror-actor Paul Henderson (Jon Pertwee) moves into the house with his sexy mistress/co-star Carla (Ingrid Pitt). This fourth story is satire, more than it is actually Horror. It is a highly amusing satire, however, and there are many allusions to other Horror films. At one point Henderson indirectly refers to Christopher Lee, who stars in the previous, third segment...

All four segments have a delightfully macabre sense of humor and a great atmosphere. As stated above, the third segment is by far the creepiest and greatest, but the other three are also atmospheric and often macabrely humorous Horror tales that every Horror lover should appreciate. An igenious atmosphere, a macabre sense of humor, genuine eerieness and a brilliant cast make this one a must-see. In Short: "The House That Dripped Blood" is an excellent Horror-omnibus that no lover of British Horror could possibly afford to miss. Highly Recommended!