Mortuary (1983)

I bought this movie a couple months ago. From reading the reviews so many people posted i knew i was in store for a roller coaster like experience. When it finally arrived i popped it into the dvd player and started watching. What i got was something rarely seen in 80's horror movies. This started out like most of them but veered off to some other territory. This one adds to the traditional stalk and slash of these movies from that decade. Not only do we have a killer in a costume we have other story lines like a cult and creepy flashbacks. Although you can easily see what's going to happen this movie takes you there in some creative ways. Another plot is the main character keeps having nightmares where she sleep walks. While she sleep walks the cloaked killer seems to stalk her and call out her name. A truly creepy part is when she is having one of these episodes you are unsure wether she actually sees this dark killer or it is part of her imagination. These scenes alone creeped me out and that is not easy to do with me. There are some truly creepy moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat. After this creepy middle part we are then subjected to the tradional revelation of the killer at the end where we hear their motive. The revelation of the killer didn't surprise me and it will probably not surprise you if you have half a brain. Some funny parts i would like to mention would be the often mention of Bill Paxton's character skipping through the grave yard. And one i found very funny is the killer driving behind our main character as she makes her way home. What i found funny about this scene is that the villain is driving in full costume. I know we need to keep the identity a secret but it would seem far fetched to have someone driving in a cloak and mask. You would think you could barely see out of that if you were driving somewhere. Other than that we are treated to some beautiful landmarks of the ocean and the hills. I recommend this movie. You won't be let down with a movie like this.

I docked a star due to the fact that a little more nudity and gore would have been nice. The fast, repeated cut scenes during the kills makes it clear fast that the director didn't want to reveal that there really werent any gore effects to speak of.Bill Paxton as the crazy mortician's son is great and its nice to see him hamming it up in a retro 80's slasher from the VHS era. That was a total surprise. Christopher George (Pieces/City of the Living Dead) and his wife Linda (also Pieces) are great fun as usual. Horror fans will recognize them right away.The only extra is an interview with the score composer, which was disappointing because the guy doesn't even remember making the music. He was pretty old. I guess no one else wanted to be a part of this DVD release. *shrug*Other than being a little slow in the middle, I think all fans of 80's horror/slashers will enjoy this film and it certainly belongs in the collection along side all the other crazy films from the same era. Good fun.I recommend all of Katarina's Nightmare Theater releases actually. They are unearthing these lost gems and I hope they continue to!

We saw this movie back in the eighties at the movie theater.Then it came on VHS when VCRs were still rockin.' What makes it even better-it is now on DVD! Then we again decided to watch it,and oh,man-I've gotten that eighties feeling-back in the day when horror movies were rockin'! It was eerie,a little tragic,and just outright scary! What made me describe it as such is that the movie opens when a girl's father,a psychiatrist tries helping this guy who has mental problems,but he returns the favor by hitting him in the back of his head,killing him.And why? Because he doesn't want his daughter dating him.The guy's father commits suicide,and his mother is too incompetent to care for him,so the man at the mortuary cares for him.The girl,Christy witnesses her father's murder,she has nightmares,and sleepwalks,and tells her mother about it,but she's in denial.The mom is in some kind of 'cult' group,(mind you,) and later,she's tragically killed.You just have to see this movie to know what I am talking about.If you were around in the eighties,and saw this movie,then you will understand what I am saying to you.Yet overall,I enjoyed this movie-it was in great shape! And you are a wonderful orderly seller!

I remember watching this back in 1998 on VHS for the first time at 17 and I never forgot it. I always felt this movie had a great creepy atmospheric feel to it, and that the story was a step up from most 80's horror flicks I was watching at the time. I was also pleasantly surprised to see a young Bill Paxton prior to Weird Science and Aliens playing a role I couldn't have imagined for him. Needless to say this film is 80's horror fun at it's best and a refreshing change from a lot of other stuff out there. Even if you're not a Bill Paxton geek like I am, it's definitely worth a watch! If you're a 80's horror fanatic this is one for your collection. It's creepy, it keeps you guessing, and seeing Bill Paxton do his little "skip" through the graveyard is just hilarious! I'm just elated that I finally found this on DVD remastered no less. It's not a well known horror flick for the average film Joe, but it is a gem in the eyes of this horror fan and I'm sure many others.

Mortuary is about is a girl, Christie looking to investigate her father's *accidental* death which she feels wasnt an accident. Together with her boyfriend they seek the truth, all the while a hooded man starts killing off specific characters. Once we know who all the characters are , we soon learn who the killer is and why he's slaying them. Bill Paxton fans this is a MUST to see him, he is incredible in this film.The gore isnt too terribly graphic, there is some nudity..overall the film moves at a good pace leading to the climax.Scorpions DVD treatment of this film is also great, coming from an HD master, and has a few extras to boot as well.If youre on the fence , rent it like I did. I was pleasantly surprised

I enjoyed this. I've always been a fan of Mary McDonagh. Has some resemblences to theatre of wax based on people being kidnap & then being encased in wax

Good

A great horror movie it will make you jump! Bill Paxton fantastic as always

Mary McDonough (of The Waltons fame) has suffered nightmares ever since the baseball bat assisted "accidental" drowning of her father. Pretty soon the ghoulish spectre of her nocturnal woes is up and at 'em with a huge embalming needle.This long time cult favourite is not the bloodiest of slashers, but does feature such B-movie delights as occult ceremonies, bad dreams, Christopher and Lynda Day George, plenty of suspects, one truly startling murder setpiece and a bonkers final act that recalls Happy Birthday To Me. Acting honours go to Bill Paxton as the preppy-looking-classical-music-loving local mortuary attendant. And basically it all adds up to slasher bliss for committed fans.Aside from the odd blemish, the 16x9 (1.78:1)remastered print is very good. The extras are minimal. Katarina Leigh Waters does her usual buxom introduction. There's an interview with composer John Cacavas, who can include Kojak amongst is credits. Also featured is the classic, and classically misleading, Micheal Berryman (he is not in the film) starring trailer. Plus a load of trailers for other Scorpion releases. This release is Region (O) which is always a bonus.

Horror anni '80 realizzato in modo solido e competente ma senza grandi voli e con abbondanza di situazioni non particolarmente originali, anche se in alcuni momenti abbastanza efficaci. Nell'insieme si lascia vedere ma non è memorabile, anche se sale di livello nel finale.