MADHOUSE: SIBLING RIVALRY

When it comes to horror films, slashers in particular, there was one country that was churning them out nearly as fast as the US in their heyday of the 80s. Italian cinema at the time was rife with movies of this sort with directors like Dario Argento taking the lead but there were more as well. One of them was Ovidio Assonitis who produced more films than he directed but left his mark on the horror genre. Having directed BEYOND THE DOOR and TENTACLES his next film was this one, MADHOUSE.

Julia (Trish Everly) is a teacher in a school for deaf children, a much loved member of the staff and a woman who cares for those in her charge. As she nears her birthday she has a sense of dread due to the memories of her childhood with her sister Mary (Allison Biggers). Her fears pan out when it turns out her sister, long held captive in a mental hospital, has escaped. Having tormented her sister in their childhood she now has plans for Julia on her upcoming birthday and they don’t involve heartfelt gifts.

Only a friendly Catholic priest, Father James (Dennis Robertson), has spent much time with Mary. He offers Julia hope that nothing bad will come of her escape and does his best to calm her. But then Julia’s neighbors begin getting killed, attacked by a mad Rottweiler. So does her most favored student. As the body count begins to rise we begin to wonder, is Mary responsible for the murders or is it all in Julia’s head? A final birthday party does indeed take place and the usual mayhem ensues. The blood flows freely and the solution to our question is answered.

The movie is an interesting film but moves slowly at first. Gorehounds will be slightly disappointed that the body count doesn’t involve more bloodshed early on but if they stick around to the end they’ll get their fill. The movie relies more on suspense than flat out gore and for me that makes it a more interesting picture.

The movie was released in 1981, the same year the more famous HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME came out, a movie with similar themes. It is impossible to tell which began with those themes but the pair make an interesting look at how they were handled by two different sets of film makers. They might make a great double feature to run on someone’s birthday if they love horror films.

Arrow Video has done their usual bang up job here with a tremendous looking 2k transfer of the film. Extras include a brand new audio commentary track with The Hysteria Continues, new interviews with the cast and crew, alternate opening titles, the theatrical trailer and a reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Marc Schoenbach.

Fans of Italian films will want to pick this one up but my guess is it will be the horror fan that gets more from this release. It’s a solid film that will keep you guessing until near the end and entertain from start to finish.

Click here to order.