Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)

Directors:

Kevin Yagher
Alan Smithee

Writer (WGA):

Peter Atkins (written by)

Release Date:

8 March 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

This year, the past, the present and the future will all meet at the crossroads of hell.

Plot:

In the 22nd century, a scientist attempts to right the wrong his ancestor created: the puzzle box that opens the gates of Hell and unleashes Pinhead and his Cenobite legions.

Plot Keywords:

Hell | Pinhead | Space | Space Station | Sequel

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Bruce Ramsay	...	Phillip L'Merchant / John Merchant / Dr. Paul Merchant
Valentina Vargas	...	Angelique
Doug Bradley	...	Pinhead
Charlotte Chatton	...	Genevieve L'Merchant
Adam Scott	...	Jacques
Kim Myers	...	Bobbi Merchant
Mickey Cottrell	...	Duc de L'Isle
Louis Turenne	...	Auguste
Courtland Mead	...	Jack Merchant
Louis Mustillo	...	Sharpe
Jody St. Michael	...	The Beast
Paul Perri	...	Edwards
Pat Skipper	...	Carducci
Christine Harnos	...	Rimmer
Wren T. Brown	...	Parker (as Wren Brown)

Also Known As:

Hellraiser IV: Bloodline (UK) (wide-release title) (USA) (poster title)
Hellraiser IV (USA) (working title)
Hellraiser IV: Bloodline Story (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong horror violence and gore, and for some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Singapore:R21 | USA:R (certificate #34416) | Netherlands:16 | France:-12 | Finland:K-15 (uncut) (2005) | New Zealand:R18 | Australia:MA | Canada:18A | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1997) | Germany:18 (video premiere) | Norway:18 | UK:18 (video premiere) | Iceland:(Banned)

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

The last "Hellraiser" movie to get a theatrical release.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): "Air conditioning" is misspelled as "air conditionioning" on the floor plans reviewed by the twin security guards around halfway through the movie.

Quotes:

John Merchant: For God's sake!
Pinhead: Do I look like someone who cares about what God thinks?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hellraiser: Deader - Winter's Lament (2009)

Pinhead's completely unnecessary space-adventure!

Rarely seen a movie that deviates so much from the original premise and still remains (more or less) acceptable…Bloodline is a rather short (which is a good thing in this case) escapade that focuses on the mysterious Hellraiser box. Who wanted it to be made and how it cast a spell on the entire bloodline of the man who eventually created it. We're introduced to 3 generations of the Merchant family (all played by Bruce Ramsey); one in 18th century Paris, one in the present day and the last one in a future galaxy far, far away… Opinions on this storyline may differ a lot…either you think it's very idiotic and far-fetched or…original and dared. The initial atmosphere and setting by Clive Barker has completely vanished, yet the morbid surrounding remains and several sequences are still very creepy and unsettling. Hellraiser: Bloodline contains quite a lot of exquisite slaughtering and the charismatic presence of Pinhead (Doug Bradley) still is an extra horror-value. Pinhead – accompanied by a pet puppy this time – still knows how to kill…too bad he talks too much and his vicious speeches tend to get boring quickly. Best aspects in this production are the newly introduced `cenobites' and the occult Parisian portrait. Giant turn-offs are the weak script, the absence of the typical macabre humor and the lack of references to Barker's initial masterpiece.

Although not highly memorable itself, Bloodline stands as the last watchable Hellraiser film. After this sequel, the series went downhill completely. So far, 2 more sequels came out (2 more are still in process) and neither of those is worth seeing. Hellraiser:Bloodline suffered from a lot of production difficulties and the director eventually preferred to be credited as Alan Smithee…Meaning he doesn't want to be remembered as the director of it. Who could blame him?