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.
Review of Horror Hospital
