trashgang
It's being called a British Splatter classic, well for me it wasn't. It do contains a few bloody things and has an eerie feeling but it's in fact a bit low on suspense of horror.Although having a few common names to see I was rather surprised more about the nudity shown for the time being. Vanessa Shaw (Judy) goes naked a few times but there was even some male frontal nudity to catch and that was in that time a not done. It do has some funny situations even as it wasn't intended to be funny. It do work out sometimes and it really had a British look especially of course due the accents used. It was also nice to see the clothing from that era and the way the trains looked back then and I can remember them taking those trains from Dover to London. Towards the end when the monster is revealed it do deliver the goods. a strange flick with some nasty moments here and there, eerie atmosphere's and funny situations. Don't go to deep into the story because in fact they could run from the hospital easily, just have a look when they enter what supposed to be a hotel or mansion and are seeing a bed full of blood they decide to stay, go figure that one out. Not cult for me but due the names involved worth picking up.Gore 0/5 Nudity 1,5/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0,5/5
PeterMitchell-506-564364
By judging the front cover, in the 80's, you would of thought this movie would of been modernized, and in no way, British. But the Brits have their own style of horror, one I like and it is of generally good standard. Here we do have quite a hairy and unique a story, much like House Of Whipcord. Only problem is, it keeps falling flat, mostly throughout. In layman's terms, scenes drag, and it becomes a chore to watch. Most of the strained scenes involve our newcomers, one girl, going to see her Aunt, and a would be rocker Jason (Robin Askwith who really ruins the movie) heading to the same place she is, for what they think is a holiday retreat. But, unbeknown to them, it's a hotel disguised as a madhouse, run by nuts, one of course is her Aunt, where really, they have no idea what's in store for them. The person running the show, is Michael Gough, in a real creepy and sinister performance, as a doctor who performs brain operations on his vacationers/victims, where they become virtual human zombies, slave like, after being put in comatose states. The two heads chopping opening is one of the best parts of the film, where two victims tried to make a run for it. One victim, now a baddie, Cedric, of midget size, who saves the day in the end, was another good thing about it. Too, a friend of Askwith's checks into this faux motel, and we have another one in peril, a great up tempo rock tune at the prelude of the scene. Those two storm trooper guards look great on bikes too-something out of Mad Max. Gore runs low in this film, another low. But having to watch this film again, I'd rather feel more disinclined, than say, having to watch House of Whipcord. We too, discover the Aunt's part in this, where she's not as evil as we think. On the whole, Horror Hospital, quite scared me when I first saw it at 15, but now on the very odd re watch, I just find it drags, and it's about as scary as a fly. With the intriguing idea, back then, this horror could of eventuated into something better, with tighter plot development, and more gore. As it is, we have something far from exceptional.
BippoThePiff
Those who deprecate this film for its wooden acting, improbable plot, ridiculous dialogue, and dire special effects are missing the point. It's a romp. More tongue-in-cheek spoof of Hammer Horror than anything else, this openly silly flick is fabulously enjoyable. Just don't expect to be scared, because it's meant to be ludicrous. The scene of a dwarf (the superb Skip Martin) arranging a pair of drugged biker guards in order to use them as a stepladder is brilliantly funny, and evokes classic comedy from the era of Vaudeville. Laurel & Hardy, Bob Hope, and Abbot & Costello also appeared in tongue-in-cheek "scary" movies of a similar ilk, but this quintessentially British product throws in a cheerful dollop of seaside-postcard "Carry On" style foolishness with Robin Askwith from the "Confessions of ..." sex comedy series.Enjoy!
