House of a 1000 Corpses (Rob Zombie, 2003): USA
Reviewed by Barbara Rowland. Viewed on DVD in Santa Barbara, CA.
Just in time for Halloween House of a 1000 Corpses is a film worthy for the holiday and beyond. Before committing to this gore fest understand that this film is not your typical “popcorn date” horror film. Under the direction of horror-core enthusiast Rob Zombie we are taken into the dark and disturbing realms of the genre. Here we are exposed to exploitation era stylization, and classic horror clichés combined with terrifying atrocities. I personally praise Zombie for his remodel of the genre, as I am a fan of most of his work. However, keep in mind, this film is full of more than 1000 accounts of evil, and demonstrates elements even some of your worst nightmares couldn’t contain.
Surprisingly enough, this so-called abomination is glittered with a credible and perfectly placed cast. Most of the cast are seemingly selected due to their past association with exploitation film such as Sid Haig, who you may remember from his role in Foxy Brown (1974). Haig, while combining comedy and evil portrays a violent, and disturbed clown known as Captain Spaulding. Other casting selections examine a different approach including performances by Karen Black, who plays mother to the “Firefly Gang”. Black, who paid her dues in counterculture films such as Easy Rider (1969), also worked with Alfred Hitchcock during his last film, Family Plot (1976). Furthermore captivating performances by Bill Moseley, Dennis Fimple and newcomers Rainn Wilson, Chris Hardwick, and Sheri Moon are provided, just to name a few.
House of a 1000 Corpses takes audiences on a psychopathic journey of murder and mayhem. The plot is birthed from the not-so-unusual story of young adult couples, on a road trip. Their purpose while touring the country is to catalog out of the ordinary road-side attractions, up to and including seedy amusements. This, of course, leads them right into the embrace of Captain Spaulding, the frightening clown entrepreneur of Captain Spaulding’s “Murder Ride” & combination gas station. This is where the couples learn of the famous Dr. Satan; a local legendary serial killer. Instead of just simply obtaining this information, the quad insists on finding the grave of the acclaimed legendary Doctor. Here is where the classic horror movie mistake is made. After receiving directions, the assembly travel in search of the grave, this forms the accretion of unfortunate consequences that transpire directly to the group. If they had just kept driving…
Along the way, a hitchhiking blonde, later known as Baby, is regrettably provided a ride. This results in car problems, which takes the group to Baby’s home. Within the home, we are introduced to all the motley crew of assorted family members as well as a variety of violence, disorientation, and terror. All fun and games aside there is one sole purpose for each member of the group—survival.
The acting varies in it’s level of quality, but one cannot debate the authenticity that Moseley brings to the table during his enactment of Otis. We are introduced to Otis as an albino-esque, murderous, member of the gang, who evidently is quite intelligent, as he has a lot to say. His speeches throughout the film flex around social subjects, and bring a questionable insanity to the character. Moon also delivers, as she plays Baby, a beautiful, evil, family “princess” to the equation. Be sure to listen for her fantastically evil laugh throughout the film.
Although well suited for the film it’s hard not to mention the treasure trove of musical accompaniment within the film that is created by the film’s director. These adjectives of course correspond to my personal affection for Zombie’s musical criteria, however, for all you Golden Age fans out there be sure to listen for a cameo of Helen Kane’s “I wanna be loved by you.” Most of the score created provides chilling and haunting tones that overlap paralleling sinister screen creations.
Most of the film is strongly connected to Zombie’s claimed style, but also mirrors past Grindhouse film techniques as well. Think about Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) fusing with a White Zombie music video, and shown in a Grindhouse theatre.
While I personally enjoy this seemingly tasteless, ritualistic, horror experience, it is certainly not for the masses. If you are, however, a self acclaimed cult classic, B film, horror buff and have not experienced House of a 1000 Corpses, take the time to add it to your list. While viewing expect the unexpected, and take notes; you do not want this happening to you.
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