Hausu (House) - Dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi (1977)

When I was a kid, I sent away for a GWAR T-shirt that was advertised in the back of a heavy metal magazine. I stuffed an envelope with a $20 bill and off through the mail it went. To aquire “House”, I went through a very similar process; the only difference is “House” was actually delivered to me (and for $5 less).

Okay–forget everything else I’ve dared you to watch that you haven’t been able
to hunt down and watch yourself a little number called House (or Hausu,
depending).  No, no, not that one.  Nor either of it’s three sequels or
whatever.  I’m talking about the 1977 Japanese… thing… from one Nobuhiko
Obayashi.  I’m not sure how to classify this one, but it’s kinda like Happiness
of the Katakuris meets the trailer to Suspiria and they run headlong together
through High School Ghost Hustlers straight into a crappy Vincent Price movie
and some guy gets buried alive beneath bananas in the process.  Really, that
doesn’t do it justice, though–it’s definitely a five-leafer on the
Psychotronic scale. –The Rev.

I’ve seen one or two things called “House” in my day. The series of “horror” films by that name are certainly worth watching (or at least they were when I was 13), and the TV series about the doctor with an attitude can be very entertaining. However, after viewing this 1977 gem, the winner for best “House” is Hausu, by a long shot!

The Plot: As for the story, Hausu is not a far cry from a few other films I’ve seen. A few young women go on vacation to a creepy old house wherein resides a creepy old woman. Sounds pretty familiar, right?

What Makes It Watchable: When I’m in the mood for something weird, Japanese cinema is generally a good bet. However, sometimes I’m left with the feeling that the movie I just watched wasn’t Japanese enough. This was not the case with Hausu. Take the best parts of the oddest Japanese game show you’ve ever watched, combine it with a fairly rote haunting story, and add a sprinkle of legitimate experimental film and you’ll get something like this movie. In no way dissapointing, and completely watchable (if you can find it), movies like this are why I started this site in the first place.

(Sorry no more details; this movie is well worth going into without any knowledge of what will happen)

Averted Eyes: None

Breaks Needed to Complete Viewing: 1 to make nachos

Overall Rating from 1 to 10: 9 

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