Joseph Ellison's have-a-go-at-Psycho, is actually a decent, gritty psychological horror film about an introverted loner with severe pyromania and terminal mommy issues.
Also known as The Burning, though not to be confused with the Tony Maylam film of the same name from 1981. Don't Go in the House became another title that wound up in the firing line of the DPP during the moral panic of "video nasties" in 1980s Britain. Though not prosecuted, the film is one of the 72 recognised video nasties, appearing on the Section 2 (non-prosecuted) list.

I kinda wanted to keep my original views up (written 13/11/2009 and published at 3:08pm, no less!) about this film up on the blog, but they are not representative of how I feel about the film now, nor have they been for some years. Looking back at this old review gave me a minor existential crisis as I can't fathom why I disliked it so much, I was genuinely surprised to see that a younger, 20 year old version of myself had given this a paltry two stars; calling it "a very basic movie". The whole "review", if you dare call it that, is shallow, rushed, and generally evokes an impression of disinterest. Crazy. Sitting here now, aged 33, I really dig this movie and I've done so for many years. There's a lot going for it by way of narrative, sets, and an attempt at character building. I feel it is only fair to have a do-over and write-up new, fully fleshed-out thoughts for Don't Go in the House.

Starring: Dan Grimaldi, Charles Bonet, Robert Carnegie (credited as Robert Osth), Bill Ricci and Ruth Dardick.

Although released during the slasher boom alongside the likes of Maniac (1980), it's a bit unfair to pigeonhole Don't Go in the House as a slasher; the psycho never slashes anybody and there's a bit more at work in regard to his motive. In a slightly ham-fisted way the film attempts to tackle, or rather utilise, the issue of child abuse, following the rationale that those who are victims of abuse go on to be perpetrators of abuse themselves.



The plot concerns one Donald Kohler (Dan Grimaldi), a fire obsessed 30-something year old who lives in a mansion with his mother (Ruth Dardick). He goes out into the big wide world, attempting to have a normal social life, but frequently ends up going out to find a girl, bringing them home to hang them up in a steel plated room before burning them alive with a flamethrower.

A very basic movie which attempts to be something more especially with the closing sequence, adding a somewhat supernatural element to the mix. (I could be wrong with the whole supernatural thing however...feel free to correct me)

The acting is your typical screaming girl, terrified look on her face while the killer dons the maniacal demeanour. I have to recommend this to those of you who want to complete the 'Video Nasty' list. Other than that, there are a lot better slasher movies you could be watching.