House of Terrors – Mondo Macabro (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1965
Director: Hajime Satô
Writer: Hajime Takaiwa
Cast: Kô Nishimura, Yûko Kusunoki, Shinjirô Ebara, Masumi Harukawa, Yoko Hayama, Kazuo Katô, Takeshi Katô, Kazuo Kitamura, Yukiko Kuwahara, Mitsue Suzuki, Keiko Yumi

Release Date: January 10th, 2023
Approximate running time: 80 Minutes 28 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"A recently widowed woman discovers that her former husband, who died in an insane asylum, owned a remote country mansion. She and a group of friends go to the villa and find a weird demonic statue in the hallway. They are joined by a hunchback caretaker who tells them of the numerous murders that have occurred there. Soon the guests begin to hear strange noises including disembodied laughter, and feel that they are being stalked by a disturbing presence that haunts the mansion." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new 2k transfer from film negative".

House of Terrors comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 22.4 GB

Feature: 19.9 GB

The source used for this transfer is in great shape, and any imperfections in the source are limited to some minor white specks. Image clarity, contrast, and black levels are strong; compression is very good, and the image retains an organic look. For a Japanese film of this vintage, this is a solid transfer.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Japanese with removable English subtitles. The audio sounds clean, clear, and balanced. That said, range-wise, things are limited.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a Mondo Macabro preview reel, Italian opening credits (1 minute 1 second, Dolby Digital mono), Italian theatrical trailer (4 minutes 13 seconds, Dolby Digital mono, Italian text with removable English subtitles), an interview with Patrick Macias, author of TokyoScope: The Japanese Cult Film Companion titled Silent Waves: Pocket Guide to Toei Horror (3 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Patrick Macias who discusses House of Terrors titled Hunchback, Pit or House? (3 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with author Tom Mes.

Summary:

House of Terrors was directed by Hajime Satô, whose other notable films include Terror Beneath the Sea, The Golden Bat, and Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell. House of Terrors’ score was composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi, whose other notable film scores include The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch, Female Prisoner Scorpion: Jailhouse 41, Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs, and Sister Street Fighter.

House of Terrors is a Japanese horror film that is heavily influenced by Gothic cinema. While most Japanese horror films from this era are rooted in Japanese folklore and literature, Hollywood’s influence is on full display in House of Terrors.

House of Terrors is a film that relies heavily on atmosphere. The stylish visuals and striking black-and-white cinematography do a superb job reinforcing a forbidding mood that builds to a fever pitch that provides a very satisfying climax. That said, there are some really trippy moments in House of Terrors that are surreal.

The most surprising aspect of House of Terrors is how good the performances are, especially Kô Nishimura (Unholy Desire) in the role of a hunchback caretaker of the cursed house that kills anyone who enters. Another performance of note is Yûko Kusunoki (Eros + Massacre) in the role of Yoshie, the widow whose dead husband owned the cursed house.

There isn't a single aspect of production where House of Terrors doesn't exceed expectations. The premise is superbly realized; a well-executed narrative that has an ample amount of well-timed jump scares ensures there is never a dull moment. Another strength is the set design, especially the main location, the "house of terror." Ultimately, House of Terrors is a different kind of Japanese horror film that fans of Italian Gothic horror and Roger Corman’s Poe film should thoroughly enjoy.

House of Terrors gets a first-rate release from Mondo Macabro that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a trio of informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer