This to me, the original HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW is what slasher
film should be. Focused on
suspense with a tiny touch of blood. Good acting, strong cinematography, an excellent music score to go along with sure
handed direction. THE HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW easily
accomplishes those qualities.
I first saw the film at a drive-in back
when it was released in 1983. I liked it then as I found it
suspenseful with some strong imagery. It's wonderful to see
the film get some DVD love as Liberation Entertainment has put the
film out with some solid supplements to celebrate the film's 25th
Anniversary.
Five flirtatious sorority sisters
just days away from graduating, set up a big decadent party to
celebrate. Unbeknownst to them, the strict matron of their house
hides a horrible secret thought to be buried. When the prank
they plan goes wrong a hideous fiend witnesses it from the shadows
and goes off on a rampage for revenge.
Director Mark Rosman has a great
grip on how to create suspense and gets honest to goodness
performances from his cast. Rosman teams with Director of Photography Timothy
Suhrstedt to capture an impressive visual look without being too
flashy. I particularly like the way the climax of the film
looks. There are a couple different masterful shots with
framing and lens choices. This was one of Suhrstedt's early features as he
would go on to photograph a bunch of films such as; CRITTERS,
MANNEQUIN, BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, DON'T TELL MOM
THE BABYSITTER'S DEAD, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE just to name a few. Kathryn
McNeil fits the "Final Girl" description as she is
pretty much clean cut and sex free. Eileen Davidson who
later made name for herself in soap operas does a good job as the
"bad girl" who always seems to have a nasty attitude. Liberation
Entertainment does an good job with the Bonus Features. The
best one being an Audio Commentary that features Mark
Rosman and his two leading ladies. The three of them spend a
pretty even amount of time reminiscing about the shoot and their individual
memories. The Original Theatrical Trailer, Storyboard
Comparisons and Photo Gallery round out the
supplements. THE HOUSE ON
SORORITY ROW is one of the better films of it's kind. It
will put on you the edge of your seat at times and will keep your
interest for it's 92-minute running time. www.libent.com
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