Directed by: Douglas Grossman
Written by: Douglas Grossman, Leo Evans
Starring: Maureen Mooney, Christopher Stryker, Christopher Cousins, Millie Prezioso, Janson Brill
Year: 1989
Country: USA
Running time: 84mins
BBFC Classification: 18
Arrow continues their quest to unearth and restore forgotten 80s horror gems and Hell High is no exception. Walking a fine line between disturbing exploitation and teen high school slasher silliness, Hell High is a tough and taught little shocker that hits harder than its silly title implies.
On the cusp of graduation, a trio of high school misfits (Stryker, Presioso, Brill) are looking to make trouble for put upon teacher Miss Storm (Mooney). Enlisting the school’s former football superstar (Cousins) into their ranks, who himself has become somewhat of an outcast since quitting the team, the gang set off into the night to torment poor Miss Storm who is all alone in her house. When the loose cannon leader of this would be gang takes things a little too far, the night takes a darker turn when the foursome believe they’ve killed their former teacher. However, she’s far from dead, tired of being pushed around and comes back for violent vengeance.
The only film that writer/director Douglas Grossman appears to have helmed, Hell High came towards the end of the high school slasher trend that was big in the 80s. Though not for lack of trying to be released sooner as the flick was shot in ’86 but not released until ’89. Boasting well written characters, impressive acting from the leads, more than a hint of sleaze and some fine lensing from the great Stephen Fierberg, Hell High bucks’ expectations (and familiarity) with its curveball narrative. The unlucky teens who are on the receiving end of Miss Storm’s stabby knife perhaps deserve what they get but they are still (somewhat) likable thanks to the great performances from the young leads and that their character’s are rendered as believable teenagers (even though they all look about 40!). Bored, frustrated, shunned and determined not to be pigeonholed, the foursome is a believable bunch (with great chemistry) who pretty much set out on their quest to taunt due to boredom. The film was originally called What do you Want to do Tonight? which is much more fitting (but less marketable!) for the action that unfolds. Despite being called Hell High, only a small portion of the film takes apart at the actual high school.
Instead, most of the action unfolds at Miss Storms residence as the group torment her, giving off very I Spit on Your Grave vibes. While never as disturbing as that video nasty classic, Hell High goes to darker places than one might first expect as the pranking takes on a much seedier turn. Before going too exploitation nasty Grossman pulls it back for the full-on slasher finale as the put-upon teacher extracts her revenge in often gory fashion. There is quite possibly the best death-by-pencil scene the horror genre has seen with Grossman orchestrating some gruesome practical mayhem before ending everything on a (non-surprising though very effective) downbeat note. The flick does flip-flop in tone, beginning with high school japes before becoming a twisted home-invasion flick and then morphing into full on horror slasher but it all works. While suitably dark and twisted, Hell High is some well-made horror fun that benefits from its wayward tone.
The cast are also great, in particular Christopher Stryker as the increasingly unhinged leader of the gang, who effectively goes from offbeat cool guy to near full psychopath with believable skill. Stryker unfortunately passed away before the film was released but at least got a shining moment here in what is a great performance. Mention should also go to Millie Prezioso as the only girl member of the group who navigates a thin and convincing line between embracing her own psycho tendencies and being the voice of reason. She seemed to vanish from the movie scene after this film which is a crying shame as she is also fantastic. And last but certainly not least, Maureen Mooney as the much-beleaguered Miss Storm, who is put through the ringer (both emotionally and physically), gives it her all and apparently did it all while being heavily pregnant!
A bit of an oddity, maybe not to every horror fan’s taste and certainly not the silly slasher it’s chosen-by-the-producer’s moniker suggests, Hell High is nevertheless a great little chiller that subverts and surprises all the while delivering some superb 80s style shocks.
Hell High is released via Arrow on Blu Rau 18th July 2022
SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
- Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative approved by cinematographer Steven Fierberg – the film looks incredible, and this has to be one of the best restoration jobs Arrow have done on a forgotten 80s slasher. While spruced up and all shiny the restoration doesn’t (thankfully) eradicate that warm glow 80s movies shot on film have.
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation – the picture quality is amazing and really brings to life Fierberg’s awesome photography.
• Original uncompressed stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary with director/producer/co-writer Douglas Grossman and cinematographer Steven Fierberg
• Archival audio commentary with director/producer/co-writer Douglas Grossman
• Archival introduction and audio commentary with film critic Joe Bob Briggs – fun intro with Joe Bob doing his thing and he quite rightly sings the movie’s praise. Though if you don’t want to see all the kills before viewing the film, maybe don’t watch this first!
• School’s Out! – a newly-filmed interview with director/producer/co-writer Douglas Grossman – great 40+ minute chat with the director who gives a ton of insight into the making of the film (they shot part of it, ran out of funds, and then came back a year later and shot the rest!) and the trials and tribulations of making and releasing a low budget horror in the 80s. Grossman is an articulate and likable fella (though he can’t help being the cliched filmmaker who says he’s not really into horror and was influenced by the greats such as Scorsese, Coppola, Kubrick et all – yawn!) who seems genuinely touched (and surprised) that his film is seeing the light of day again and that there is a lot of love for it. He talks warmly of his experiences (despite the issues to get the film released!) and the cast and crew. A great interview, and Grossman should come out of retirement and make another horror picture.
• A Beautiful Nightmare – a newly-filmed interview with cinematographer Steven Fierberg – energetic interview with the very likable Fierberg who has some interesting tales of his time in the biz shooting movies (he also shot Nightmare on Elm Street 4 and Secretary) and gives plenty of insight into the Hell High shoot. He also has a lot of love for the film which is great to hear and has fond memories of working with Grossman. Honestly, could have listened to him talking about his experiences for another hour. Great stuff!
• Jon-Jon’s Journey – a newly-filmed interview with actor Christopher Cousins – short but great interview with the, again, very likeable Cousins. While he’s perhaps not as fond of the movie as Grossman and Fierberg he still has affection for it and shares some great memories of the making it. He also touches a bit on his career, one of the few leads in Hell High who went on to have successful and varied career in film and TV.
• The More the Better – a newly-filmed interview with actress Maureen Mooney – a more serious but never less interesting interview with Mooney about the role she played as the put-upon teacher and how they filmed some of her more difficult scenes. She also talks fondly of the cast and crew, her career (including a small role in The French Connection), and what is was like finishing the film heavily pregnant!
• Music is Not Sound – a newly-filmed interview with composers Rich Macar and Christopher Hyams-Hart – an informative chat with the two composers who meet up after many years and talk music, working in the movie business (with some cool anecdotes about creating the music and sound for Stephen King’s Maximum Overdrive) and how they composed the score for Hell High. Likable fellas who have an easy-going rapport.
• Back to Schools: The Locations of Hell High – a tour of the original Hell High filming sites with author/filmmaker Michael Gingold – fun little feature where Gringold tours the filming locations and shows have they’ve changed in the intervening years.
• Archival video interviews with director/producer/co-writer Douglas Grossman and co-writer Leo Evans – these appear to be older interviews done with Grossman and co-writer Leo Evans for a previous DVD release and covers much the same ground as the new interviews. Interesting to get Leo Evans view on the film and production, though much like Gorssman, he spends a lot of the time saying how doesn’t like/was never into horror movies – yawn!
• Deleted Scene – cool little deleted scene that shows the gang wandering the swamps for an extended period. No audio unfortunately!
• Alternate Opening Titles – funnily enough these alternative titles are actually for when the film was renamed Hell High whereas the actual feature contains one of the many alternative titles, Real Trouble. The film was also known as What do you Want to do Tonight? and released in some territories as Raging Fury.
• Trailers and TV Spots – various cool retro trailers for when the film was marketed as both Hell High and Raging Fury.
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Ralf Krause – not available at the time of review.
FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring liner notes by Michael Gingold, including an exclusive interview with stunt coordinator/actor Webster Whinery – not available at the time of review.