Burnt Offerings/Legend of Hell House

Alan Smithee · July 05, 2006, 10:59:49 AM

Burnt Offerings has to be one of the lamest "haunted house" movies every. Virtually nothing happens that is "scary" and for the record, the movie is dry and uneventful. Then there is the obsurd, "shocking" twist ending (ala "Pyscho"). Even the book is pathetic: the family doesn't even move in for a hundred pages in. Let's just say "Burnt Offerings" has got nothing on "The Shining". Some people laud "Burnt Offerings" for being atmospheric, but it is more like watching paint dry. Even the book will bore you to tears.

"Legend of Hell House" is far superior, even its book- "Hell House". This movie isn't particularly scary, per se, but it has more spooky goings-on than the brain-dead "Burnt Offerings". The movie can be dry at times, but it keeps things moving at a decent pace.

The Burgomaster · July 05, 2006, 02:16:58 PM

There is something about THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE that I like . . . but I'm not sure what it is. I saw it at the drive-in during its original theatrical release, and I have owned it on both VHS and now DVD. The book is somewhat better (and definitely scarier), but even the book is not great.

ulthar · July 05, 2006, 02:23:37 PM

I read the book and saw the movie and I recall being 'creeped out' by BURNT OFFERINGS. It was that guy in the sun glasses. That's all I remember (and the "I have a Theragram....for YOU" guy was remarkable similar ... creepy) - being creeped out by the guy in sun glasses.

Scott · July 06, 2006, 05:22:10 AM

I like LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE and another 70's ghost film called THE CHANGELING. Both are good.

Shadowphile · July 06, 2006, 02:40:39 PM

Is 'The Legend of hell House ' also known as 'the Haunting of Hell House'?

Alan Smithee · July 06, 2006, 03:59:15 PM

I think you are thinking "The Haunting of Hill House", different movie, different book.

LH-C · July 06, 2006, 04:01:19 PM

'The Haunting Of Hill House' was made into both versions of 'The Haunting'.

RCMerchant · July 06, 2006, 07:02:55 PM

Burnt Offerings was an OK time-waster. The Legend of Hell House was pretty fun.The trailer on TV when I was a kid really spooked me. Now the Haunting (60's version) was a CLASSIC! The book was dam good too! I found the new version a waste of time,though.