The House by the Cemetery (1981)

Written and Edited By Grave Reviews Staff

Film Information

Director: Lucio Fulci
Producer: Fabrizio De Angelis
Screenplay: Dardano Sacchetti, Giorgio Mariuzzo, Lucio Fulci
Date Released: August 14, 1981

Cast:
Catriona MacColl as Lucy Boyle
Paolo Malco as Dr. Norman Boyle
Ania Pieroni as Ann
Giovanni Frezza as Bob Boyle

Rating = 1/5 Graves

***May contain some spoilers***

Synopsis

Norman (Paolo Malco) and his family move to a house in Boston when Norman receives an offer to continue the research of his former colleague who took his own life. When strange things start happening, Norman’s family, especially his son, Bobbie (Giovanni Frezza), start to realize that there is something very wrong with the home they are staying in. Meanwhile, the family is greeted by a peculiar babysitter, Ann (Ania Pieroni).

Gore Factor

The House by the Cemetery did incorporate quite a few blood and gore scenes. In addition, the special effects and prosthetic work was well-done. The viewer will see quite a number of scenes that involve severed limbs and other disfigured body parts in addition to blood gushing effects. Some gore scenes were unrealistic and nonsensical but nevertheless, the film made a good effort.

The Grave Review

The House by the Cemetery (1981) is an Italian-made horror film. For purposes of this article, the version that was reviewed was the dubbed to English film.

The acting and voice work was painful to watch and listen to. The conversations between the characters seemed unnatural and measured. In addition, the reactions to various events during the film from the cast were either overdramatized or nonresponsive. In respect to the voice work, the way in which words were said, felt monotone and almost indifferent. This factor negatively affected the films’ intended impressionable scenes.

The film also incorporates music that does not add to the quality of the film overall. The 1980s synthesized compositions were poorly implemented and almost felt thrown into the film without much thought.

For the above reasons, Grave Reviews gives The House by the Cemetery (1981), one grave out of five graves.

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