The House on Tombstone Hill Blu-ray

(aka 'Dead Dudes in the House" or "The House on Tombstone Hill" or "The Road")

Directed by James Riffel

USA 1989

A group of friends have decided to repair and renovate an old house located in the middle of nowhere in the hope of turning it into their 'cool' crash pad. But shortly after arriving, a strange and seemingly senile old woman is found to be lurking around the premises. Uncertain of her intentions, the group of trendy homesteaders go about their business but soon find themselves up against a very unexpected geriatric evil, hell-bent on keeping them as permanent residents in 'her' house, dispatching them in a series of creatively gruesome ways. But to make matters even worse, shortly after meeting their demise, their mutilated corpses return from the dead, determined to help their elderly assassin and her fiendish daughter finish off the others...

Absurdly gory and filled with top-notch kills, courtesy of effects wizards Ed French and Bruce Spaulding Fuller, James Riffel's cynical blend of slasher and zombie film (and late 80s late-night cable classic), THE HOUSE ON TOMBSTONE HILL (aka THE DEAD COME HOME and DEAD DUDES IN THE HOUSE), makes its Blu-ray debut from Vinegar Syndrome, newly restored from its original camera negative and looking better than you ever thought possible.

***

Completed in 1988 as The Dead Come Home and released years later in various video and cable-TV incarnations, this simplistic spin on the Evil Dead series (which was already pretty basic to begin with) places the standard cast of good-looking young fools in the eerie Leatherby estate, where they are systematically hunted down and cut to pieces by a hideously gnarled witch (played by a male actor in drag). The evil forces within the house soon revive the victims as unstoppable zombies, who then turn on the dwindling survivors. More of a situation than a plot, this premise doesn't get in the way of the film's reason for being: plentiful and creative gore effects from Ed French. Released to cable TV as Dead Dudes in the House.

Excerpt from B+N located HERE

Poster

Theatrical Release: October 1989 (Paterson, New Jersey)

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Review: Vinegar Syndrome - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Box Cover

Distribution

Vinegar Syndrome
Region FREE Blu-ray

Runtime	1:33:47.455
Video	Disc Size: 39,222,543,716 bytes Feature Size: 28,053,191,040 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.87 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Bitrate: Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray
Audio	DTS-HD Master Audio English 3017 kbps 2.0 / 96 kHz / 3017 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles	English (SDH), None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Vinegar Syndrome Disc Size: 39,222,543,716 bytes Feature Size: 28,053,191,040 bytes Average Bitrate: 34.87 Mbps Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • "Three Dead Dudes" - featurette with actors: Mark Zobian, Victor Verhaeghe and Douglas Gibson (29:14) • Audio interview with director James Riffel, moderated by Chris Poggiali (42:28) • Extensive behind-the-scenes still gallery Reversible Sleeve Blu-ray Release Date: September 25th, 2018 Transparent Blu-ray case Chapters: 5

Comments

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Vinegar Syndrome have brought this over-the-top grassroots horror "The House on Tombstone Hill" aka "The Dead Come Home", to Blu-ray. The 1080p image is described as "Newly scanned & restored in 2k from its 16mm original camera negative". It's starts out promising and the image is rich and thick with grain in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. It's a fine image from a 16mm source on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. This film never had it so good.

The film is presented in a 2.0 mono on a 24-bit DTS-HD Master audio transfer. Obviously, the production limitations are notable with the sound but, like the video, it makes for a very watchable presentation with a score credited to a 'William B. Riffel' (hmmm...) - his only film credit. It sounds okay - a touch of depth and a transfer that can handle everything the film exports. The disc is supported with optional English (SDH) subtitles on this Region FREE Blu-ray.

Vinegar Syndrome include a 1/2 hour featurette entitled "Three Dead Dudes" with separate interviews actors Mark Zobian, Victor Verhaeghe and Douglas Gibson and they seem pretty laid back about the production. There is also a 42-minute audio-only interview with director James Riffel, moderated by Chris Poggiali. I didn't make it to its conclusion. There is also an extensive behind-the-scenes still gallery and the package has a reversible sleeve.

Well, despite its production limitations, I enjoyed 'The House on Tombstone Hill'. It's over-the-top in an obvious way with extensive make-up and blood-related effects . I expect this is where a lot of the film's budget went. I can appreciate the rich 16mm Blu-ray presentation. It's a low budget horror, but better than you might anticipate. Those interested are probably aware of what we have here. There is an element of fun to the film experience. Sure - recommended to the right crowd.

- Gary Tooze

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Box Cover

Distribution

Vinegar Syndrome
Region FREE Blu-ray

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