Filmmaker reacts to Hellraiser (1987) for the FIRST TIME!

[@joelgermany1236]

This was such a perfect film experience for me. I love that the cenobites aren't the villains, they're the consequence of the villains Frank and Julia.

[@lancedement40]

Really great perspective on a first viewing!

[@AbrasiousProductions]

Yeah they remind me of hired guns, no personal hatred, no vengeance, just simply doing a job

[@rickcolumbo3148]

It pisses me off that barker hates all of this, yes it's a shame where it went but it wasn't like he had this fully fleshed out

[@LoneCloudHopper]

Kinda like Beetlejuice to the Deetz parents.

[@aaronvt9980]

"He has a weird kink" pretty much sums up this entire movie franchise.

[@JamesVSCinema]

LMFAO

[@anthonymunn8633]

Well,Clive Barker has said a better title for the movie should have been "What a woman will go through for a good f**k"!

[@shainewhite2781]

"We have such sights to show you."

[@JamesVSCinema]

“Imma pass chief!”

[@stephenpmurphy591]

Explorers of the further regions of experience.

[@Osprey850]

"Not if I keep my eyes closed!" **hooks fly in and rip off my eyelids**

[@MaRodney07]

Such pleasures!

[@mothmanthe9th601]

It may interest you that the cenobites were in fact based on those guys from berserk no fooling

[@my_randomology]

James five minutes in: "This is overwhelmingly brutal" Everyone who's seen the movie: "Oooooooh boy.... Just wait for it."

[@JamesVSCinema]

😭😭😭😭

[@Felipevideos9008]

"I hate skin ripping" Great choice of movie

[@JamesVSCinema]

I had no idea!!

[@DMovieman]

As soon as you said you don't like skin ripping, I was thinking, "Welp! Looks like he's in for a fun time." 😭😩🙃 The cenobites being interdimensional beings plus the surrealism piece you mentioned is why they're my favorite horror figures. Just the idea and concept behind them is so terrifying on a whole new level. I like aspects of the new film, but it doesn't have the same grittiness or brutality that this one did. 👌👌👌

[@mikerodgers7620]

What else?

[@kellymoses8566]

@Gerald H none of the movies after the second started as hellraiser movies

[@dyskordian]

@@kellymoses8566 3 and 4 were both written as Hellraiser movies. The straight to video ones are the ones that got Hellraiser tacked on.

[@AbrasiousProductions]

It was also feminazi propaganda, wokeness fellas, ruins everything.

[@kellymoses8566]

@@AbrasiousProductions right-wing propaganda rots your brain

[@robertballard2998]

The Cenobites are fairly unique in the pantheon of cinematic horror monsters in that they are introduced bathed in blinding white light, whereas most movie monsters are shrouded in darkness. This is a testament to both their ambiguous nature as "villains" as well as the confidence that the effects crew had in their designs.

[@nitrokid]

Clive Barker uses the duality theme a lot. In his toy line, Tortured Souls, he included a novella in which a character named Agonistes, very much looked like a Cenobite, was one of God's earliest creations, among other things. So that's why, despite his monstrous visage, he's one of the individuals that can pray to God, and be heard by God. So he's dark and divine at the same time. Pretty cool.

[@rickcolumbo3148]

@@nitrokid kinda like mixing blood and semen to get thousand island

[@BOTCHED]

"We will tear your soul apart!" Is one of my favorite villain lines in a horror movie ever.

[@impossible7163]

The delivery is on point. It sounds like a genuine promise. Nevermind your flesh and bones, your soul will be destroyed.

[@DarthTach]

I always like the quote "Explorers in the furthest reaches of experience. Demons to some Angels to others." It shows they are not especially evil. They do have a code (at least I. The first 2 movies) They are just an embodiment of pain.

[@levischorpioen]

They're (supposed to be) the embodiment of the limits of sensation, and I kinda wish they did more than just offer pain, but y'know, horror film.

[@Needler13]

Same as the reboot, that is why the first two movies and the reboot are so good. They are lovecraftian demi-gods.

[@Nick_CF]

@@levischorpioen yeah, I like how in the novella the first thing they do to Frank is torture him by overwhelming him with the extremes of sensual pleasure

[@levischorpioen]

@@Needler13 They added the words "of sensation's rim" to THAT quote in the reboot and I swear that's the best creative choice in that film after casting Jamie Clayton. That line hit and I went "Okay, they know exactly what they're doing."

[@adi1582]

Agreed! I like that they're not really the villains, like in the sequel when the other Cenobites were ready to go for Tiffany because she opened the box and Pinhead said "it is not hands that call us, it is desire" sparing the little girl, since she was tricked into opening it.

[@matthewjaco847]

Directed by the marvelous Clive Barker, who wrote the book upon which it was based. Prior to this film, there had been several horrendous adaptations of his stories by other directors. So, basically, he said, “Screw it, I’ll do it myself,” and Hellraiser became his directorial debut.

[@rickcolumbo3148]

I thought he was heavily involved in rawhead rex

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

"Angels to some, demons to others" So iconic! This horror movie is one of my favorites

[@AbsoluteApril]

Hellbound Hellraiser 2 takes it up a notch, I hope you react to it! I love the cosmic and body horror, these movies are so unique. Glad you checked it out, great reaction! How you were able to stand the whole time tho? epic

[@mastery7901]

That epic delivery of pinhead's "We'll tear your soul Appppaaaarrrrtt." has stayed ingrained in my head for decades.

[@JamesVSCinema]

He HIT that line!

[@e.d.2096]

James your probably the most chill reactor out there. But this reaction...PRICELESS!

[@JamesVSCinema]

LMFAO, yo much love 🤘🏽

[@e.d.2096]

@@JamesVSCinema Man, I don't know, but for some reason you were smiling from ear to ear!

[@ActuallyCPOS]

“This is so disgusting, that jump-scare didn’t even scare me” best Hellraiser remark ever!

[@danielafernandamorales493]

@@ActuallyCPOS 🤣🤣🤣

[@theartofthesamurai]

"I'm so disgusted, that jump scare didn't even get me" Amazing bro! - Loved the reaction

[@peccatumDei]

I remember renting this film so long ago that it was on VHS. I had forgotten that Andrew Robinson was in it. Andrew has had a very long and successful career as an actor. His big break was the 1971 film Dirty Harry, but of his 108 acting credits, I know him best as Elim Garak, across seven seasons of Star Trek: DS9. It was Andrew's excellent work that turned what was initially a one episode character into a recurring role.

[@Ashwgun]

One of my life goals is meet Andrew Robinson, what an incredible character actor.

[@egglady]

Andrew Robinson was excellent in Hellraiser. I can see why Clive Barker cast him, because he is quite versatile: he can play intense, evil characters (as in Dirty Harry) extremely well, yet he can also bring out the sweetness. In this movie he gets to play both.

[@digitalintent]

Garak is one of the greatest -TV- characters of all time.

[@GrrrTurtle]

I met Doug Bradley at a convention. He oversaw a costume competition where a little 5 year old was in hours of prosthetics to look like as he did as Pinhead. When he whispered in her ear and made her heart melt, the entire audience fell in love with the man for his humanity.

[@josephmontalvo5250]

The actor improvised the "Jesus wept" line and never had I been so creeped out by someone saying only two words when I first saw this movie.

[@vileindividual]

Would recommend Hellraiser 2. Its a pretty good sequel and has a lot of the surreal, reality bending stuff that you enjoyed in this one. Be warned, contains more skin tearing...

[@swokatsamsiyu3590]

One of the best movies in the genre. It set a new standard for horror movies at the time. The scene where Frank "re-assembles" himself is by far one of the best shot animations ever. And it was all done without CGI! You might want to watch Hellraiser II as well. After that, the Hellraiser movies get progressively worse.

[@magicbrownie1357]

One of the darkest horror films I've ever seen. Brutal. And brilliant in a sick way.

[@rodgill9376]

The music is one of my favorite parts about the movie. Christopher Young made a wonderfully sublime soundtrack. Had this gothic/romantic kind of vibe but also has very suspenseful and creepy atmosphere to it as well. Young knows how to make amazing horror soundtracks.

[@adamromero]

I love how Pinhead is hardly in this movie but makes such in impact in it so much that hes the face of the franchise.

[@aldokurti3272]

I've been waiting for this for so long and finally you came and we have such sights to show you. PS:Hellraiser inspired berserk ALOT especially the godhand and that puzzle box and behelit thing.

[@JamesVSCinema]

That’s awesome. I figured seeing them looking like the God Hand characters. So cool!

[@aldokurti3272]

@@JamesVSCinema Yeah Kentaro Miura obviously loved Clive Barkers works.

[@peepnox7747]

Yo shoutout to the makeup designers and special effects team they did a good job. 👏👏👏

[@JamesVSCinema]

absolutely!

[@SICProwl]

Hellraiser and Event Horizon hold special places in my heart. While An American Werewolf in London and The Thing are my favorite monster horror movies, I love the sinful nature of Hellraiser and EH. Both channel surreal horror (I would say Hellraiser is better at it, but EH has a baller Engine Room) in an almost religious sense. It's fascinating. Also, the scene with the girl fighting over the box with the monster always gets me going - HURRY GRAB IT!

[@jonesey251]

"DO I LOOK LIKE SOMEONE WHO CARES WHAT GOD THINKS?" I have lost count the number of times I've used this line (with that delivery) when a religious person has tried to either convert me or preach at me.

[@007wars6]

Watching this video, at the very start where the credits rolled it was cool to see Bob Keen’s name under special effects because he is my Production Design professor! So much props to him and the team he was working with because the practical effects are CRAZY!! Awesome reaction James, keep it up!

[@jakegraham4435]

love the standing set up, it seems more dynamic w your reactions, keep it up james!!

[@JamesVSCinema]

Appreciate that! Only standing because my chair didn’t come in yet, but I do like the set up. Standing for a few hours isn’t too great tho 😭

[@renttreznor5035]

The Apostles were actually inspired by the Cenobites, so it's cool that you brought that up

[@Welsh_Dragon756]

Clive Barker the writer of the novella and director is also the mind behind the short story "Candyman" which was adapted and expanded into the movie. Although his original version is set in Liverpool, England and is pretty different.

[@feda9843]

James I love your new setup it has very calming vibes. Keep up the great work my friend!

[@rebelleparrish4937]

Barker not only wrote the novella this was based on but the screenplay and directed as well. He was a playwright and theatre manger before writing horror fiction

[@WolfHreda]

"Oh, no tears, please. It's a waste of good suffering." God damnit, David Bradley is so good.

[@robertbunting3117]

Part two is a great sequel to this one, after that they go a little off the rails, they're fun but.... but definitely watch two

[@NocturneSoul]

About the minute 15:22 everyone complains about how you can see the wheels of the stroller pushing the creature down the hallway, but people forget that in the book that creature (called the Engineer) has its body melted and attached by the nerves to a wheeled machine. There's a part of the book that is not shown in the movie that describes the tortures Frank goes through in the hands of the Cenobites and it tells how Frank hears the wheels of the creature coming down the hallway with a new torture device everyday. I don't know if they intended to show that in the movie or it's a production mistake, but ironically it ends up being more accurate to the book, cos the creature actually has wheels. Be sure to react to part 2! It continues the story with the same characters.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Hellraiser slaps your girl..what you finna do? Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have a great weekend!

[@GoroScornshard]

These were good for a little while, the later ones got crap. I hear the studio had to make a Hellraiser movie every so often or they'd lose the rights to the franchise so they'd take an existing script and shoehorn in Pinhead and call it a Hellraiser movie.

[@TheRetroManRandySavage]

Why not go for hellraiser 2. It's just as good as the original, imho. Schwarzenegger's the running man is a cracking movie. It's a scifi/action set in a dystopian future. I think you'd love it.👍

[@sh0ts420]

tell her to apologize for whatever she did lmao

[@JamesVSCinema]

@@sh0ts420 LMFAOOOOO

[@niallmasterman6817]

Hey man I think you should watch marvels werewolf by night halloween presentation it's got really different vibes and directing is on point I think you would find it interesting

[@Gavrev]

A remarkable movie, which really came out of nowhere back in the day. What's really nice is that it's as direct as can reasonably be, from the hands and mind of the guy who wrote it. Directorship for the sequel may have passed from Clive's hands but it's very much a bookend to this movie, and I can heartily (no pun intended) recommend you dip into Hellraiser II as well. Nice one man.

[@KaMui_AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs]

Kentaro Miura straight up said that he was inspired by the cenobites from "Hellraiser" for his design of "the godhand". He was a big fan of Clive Barker. :) In a german interview for "planet manga" he said (translated): "I've picked up lots of ideas everywhere. And to start with the movie: I took elements from 'Hellraiser' and 'The Name of the Rose'. Apart from that, I've appreciated Escher's drawings for a long time. But the fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm have also helped me."

[@DigitalSketcher]

Dude...one of the best examples of low budget filmmaking starting a massive franchise and creating something that has NEVER been seen before. Love this film. Too bad I saw it MUCH too early in my life and it gave me nightmares for days lol

[@GSXK4]

Demons to some, angels to others. That's writing!!

[@misfittoy1960]

You absolutely HAVE to watch the 2nd part! Hellbound please please please!!

[@timvanbaelen9797]

When i was a teen, i did a book review in school of the original novella. As an added bonus, i showed a small part of the film to the other class mates and the teacher. Needless to say, they were speechless. 🤭 Kudos for reacting to this masterpiece, the sequel is almost equally great, the rest of the series you can easily skip.

[@lino522]

Everything pinhead says, in this movie, slaps

[@RezaREX]

This is a franchise with a concept that deserved far better than the egregious ineptitude of those entrusted with it.

[@chynnabartee7208]

I just saw a ad on here that was a interview of the new actor that plays “Pinhead” they stated it takes them almost 4hrs to put all prosthetic pieces of their costume on and another 1 and a half hour just to take it all off. I haven’t seen this new one yet but after learning that I’m interested now.

[@reverance_pavane]

"Cenobite" was originally a term that referred to any group of cloistered monks. Around the same time as it found common use there arose a number of sects of flagellant monks that believed in purifying the soul through the mortification of the flesh (by whipping, piercing and cutting it usually). They were particularly active during the Black Death. You can see where Clive Barker got the inspiration for his inhabitants of what lay behind the puzzle box. Pinhead and his kin aren't the actual hell raisers (or at least not now they're not); it's the people whose inner torments draw them to open the puzzle box, or those who simply seek to try to use the powers for their own purposes. The latter tend not to survive the experience, whilst the former unfortunately do.

[@nitrokid]

The Cenobites are the hierophants of the Order of The Gash (yep, that's the name of their sect), in Leviathan's domain of Hell. They don't differentiate between pain and pleasure. To them, they are often the same. The skelly-dragon hobo man at the end is an Eremite. They are the ones responsible in luring hapless souls to interact with the puzzle boxes.

[@Weazel1]

Now that you’ve seen Hellraiser, you need to experience the film that made Clive Barker decide to direct his own works. Yes, I’m talking about Rawhead Rex. Also, I’m digging the format experimentation you’re doing. It looks great.

[@RosesTeaAndASD]

It's ironic that Frank Cotton is the most heinous person in this movie and yet the cenobites are the most memorable.

[@rynepaschall5973]

“Jeeeesus wept” one of the most ICONIC lines of dialogue in horror history

[@ChatarraCrow]

The cenobites are more like the god hand than mere apostles. And you hit a, uh, nail on the head with the lore. With the new movie, I'm hoping they eventually go into a new expanded universe with the nightbreed and the weavers.

[@bradmcdorfhead2745]

I love how you totally got the film and I like your commentary about the editing and direction also👍

[@danielafernandamorales493]

I saw your face on the thumbnail and I immediately thought: "Exactly"🤣🤣

[@Doofster]

"Jesus wept" is my favorite part of the movie. such a fuck you line right before the end

[@alwayzchillin0714]

Just watched the (2022) Hellraiser last night, i prefer the original. Also congrats on the new place, looks good. 👍

[@sntxrrr]

This was such a refreshing horror movie with not just a simple us vs evil storyline.

[@AmbassadorKat]

Doug Bradley, who played Pinhead, tells a story about the wrap party with the cast and crew after filming was complete. He kept trying to engage in conversation with ppl but everyone was brushing him off, and his feelings were hurt because he thought they’d all had a good rapport and made connections during filming. He didn’t realise until later that nobody had seen him without his makeup, so they had no idea who he was when he came up to them trying to start conversation 😂

[@ryandean3162]

Always throws me through a loop that Larry is Garak from Deep Space 9. Always forget, and then when I see him again, it's "Is that Garak?" all over again.

[@barrywright9183]

😂😂😂😂😂😂love your review and your new background 😂😂😂😂😢Still laughing man😅 keep up the good work don’t forget about The Tall Man the ball the horror the mystery the Movie PHANTASM!!!

[@mF--H8]

Read the book. The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker. He actually reference the Cennibites in some of his other stories but he refers to them as the others.

[@peloquin5652]

amazing reaction!!

[@ronaldk.wileyjr.5476]

Back in the day, when this came out "HD" mostly wasn't around. I think the best we had was 720 on a horrible screen. So the effects looked so real (at the time). kool review. watch Hellraiser 2! It explains more.

[@HelloMisterJAMWAH]

"There's a second one, I think." Man, Hellraiser is the Land Before Time of horror.

[@lancedement40]

Hellraiser and The Thing are the pinnacle of practical effects in my opinion

[@likecrazyhorse]

Clive Barker is one of my favorite authors when I want to be taken for a roller coaster. Weaveworld, Books of Blood, The Great and Secret Show, Thief of Always, all classics for me.

[@nathanjsteele75]

bruh... watching you discover what this movie's really about was some good times!

[@TheScorpia12]

Oh no..... it is a means to summon us..... you posted the reaction..... WE CAME...

[@JamesVSCinema]

*throws the box out the window*

[@Pharmerlynda]

Wow, u were shocked in was allowed in the theater back then? There were so many ultra gory movies back in the 80s on the big screen. Love it!!! I actually like the second hell raiser a little more. U get more back story on the cennobites and pinhead as a character. It’s really good, gross but good.

[@TheJohhnyE]

Seeing the machine behind the creature in the hallway (I believe it's called the engineer) is a drawback of high def versions of vhs era movies. When it came out on vhs, the mechanics behind it weren't visible because of the low resolution of vhs video, so they didn't worry about hiding it as much.

[@seantjohnson]

the puzzle box is the hellraiser. the main cenobite is "Pinhead".

[@JamesVSCinema]

A birdie told me his name was Hell Priest >.>

[@matthewganong1730]

Clive Barker is a big rabbit hole to go down if you’re brave enough. He also wrote the story Candyman was based on, among many other things. This is his directorial debut, based on his own novel, “The Hellbound Heart.” Before this film he worked as a painter, illustrator, playwright, writer, and even spent time as a gigolo to make ends meet. He’s also been openly gay since the early 90’s and an important figure in LGBTQA arts. A very fascinating character in real life.

[@Troph2]

Diggin the new setup James. Keep up the great content.

[@Thane36425]

Cenobite is a real word that means a monk who lives as part of a community as opposed to being a hermit. In a way that is what they are in this movie. This movie is also a case of the movie being better than the novel it was based on. The hospital room scene in particular is more frightening and that is because the dialog is better crafted.

[@AbrasiousProductions]

Can't believe my mom let me watch this at 10 years old, your the best mom💕

[@BensSoZen]

thank you thank you thank you James i was hoping to hear your impressions on HELLRAISER

[@brandonspain12345]

Part of the appeal of Pinhead was that he's more like a prison guard who bounty hunts the prisoners who escape from Hell. That's why Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth felt like a work of Fan Fiction instead of a real sequel. They completely changed Pinhead's nature and made him a Satan wannabe with a world-domination plan that he didn't have in the first two movies. Something that would be carried over through ALL of the sequels. In fact, if you watch the first two movies carefully, the Cenobites are NOT the villains at all, it's the human beings that summon them with the Puzzlebox because they have bad intentions. The Cenobites are simply giving them what they want. Just like Pinhead says, "Demons to Some, Angels to Others."

[@phylazen5649]

also i love how awkward you are at first while standing up haha! i love the new perspective dewd. change always keeps things fresh!

[@JamesVSCinema]

Hey! Thanks! yeah at first it was alittle weird but I was waiting for my chair. standing isn’t too bad, standing for hours…nah!

[@FollowTheBeam19]

This was such an awesome reaction bro, you had me dying multiple times 😆😆

[@TheEternalElir]

Your voice and whole manner is so soothing

[@JamesVSCinema]

Ayyy thanks! Hopefully the new set up enhances that

[@rowdeemunkee]

Not the biggest horror fans, but god DAMN do i love classic budget horror for the practical effects they came up with.

[@ReasonableRam]

While the many sequels are not good movies, they each give another aspect of the lore which I'm all for. I enjoyed them for that.

[@TresTrefusis]

Great reaction to one of my favorite movies. You really need to see the second one it's even beter!

[@rossqpd]

Love the trivia that Doug Bradley quotes that at the wrap party he was ignored by pretty much everybody as no one recognised him without the Pinhead makeup. Personally I'd have rocked that look at the party, next few auditions, AA Meetings and singing Gospal at the back of the church. 🤣

[@jonforster656]

Such a breath of fresh air when it came out.

[@Uncle_T]

This is a good'un, quite unique with some awesome practical effects and makeup and spectacular visuals.

[@myfriendisaac]

Now THIS is *Hellraiser* 😈🔥🎬🍿 The remake is… cute. But this film is unrelenting, macabre, menacing, and intense.

[@KellyKels23]

Loving the new setup!

[@leoxfury]

James, thank you for this react and specially your channel! love to watch your reactions to many of my favourite movies. I haven't seen Hellraiser in a long time and revisiting it with you was awesome. Love your insight and thoughts on it, always so on point. Keep it going!

[@JamesVSCinema]

My man! Happy people are vibing with the channel more, super inspiring. Stay tuned my friend!

[@jasonegeland1446]

Saw this with my Dad at the theater. Was hard to watch yet somehow hard to look away. Hellraiser stood on it's own, no doubt.

[@IDieHardForever]

Dude... Hellraiser 2 is actually one of those great sequels that's a lowkey masterpiece. As a fan of cosmic horror, the depiction of Hell is something you really gotta see. I think the gore is toned down in favor of more surreal cosmic horror (its still gnarly though) Return one more time to this sick universe! It's worth it. Hellraiser 3 is when it started to fall off a bit but just the fact that when the 3rd movie release in theaters was a hype event when I was a kid kinda points to the quality of the 2nd.

[@JamesInDigital]

For me, this and original Halloween are the ones that hold up the best.

[@thebookgeek87]

I just watched this movie for the 1st time yesterday. Can't believe I never seen this before

[@carzombieeatery3216]

Not many, including myself, cared for the first Hellraiser as we were leaving the theater back in 87. As for Hellraiser 2, love it!

[@danfreeman5301]

PRACTICAL EFFECTS RULE

[@coreyhendricks9490]

This movie ranked at #19 in the 100 scariest movie moments on Bravo

[@LarryBanks85]

That movie was crazy and I love your video.

[@rs91268]

Awesome video sir

[@JamesVSCinema]

Ayyyy Robert my man! Thanks

[@YersinisPestis]

There is a fun story about the making of this film. They originally had a church that they were going to film in and the upon seeing Doug Bradley come out of makeup all Pin Headed up, the pastor was like nope. They had to then find new places to film.

[@emilygiles1313]

Yesss! Hellraiser is my favourite horror series, please do some more of these!