Hell High aka Raging Fury is a 1986 (released 1989) U.S. slasher horror film directed and co-produced by Douglas Grossman from a screenplay he co-wrote with Leo Evans. It stars Christopher Stryker, Maureen Mooney, Christopher Cousins (Earth vs. the Spider; The Vampire Diaries), Millie Prezioso, Jason Brill (Office Killer).
The British PolyGram VHS release was cut 1 minute 36 seconds by the BBFC. The lurid sleeve artwork was later re-used for a Dutch release of Alice, Sweet, Alice. The U.S. Shriek Show DVD includes an enthusiastic commentary by Joe Bob Briggs.
Plot teaser:
A teacher still haunted by the death of two teens that she accidentally caused as a young girl goes beserk when four teens start harassing her and then attack her in her home…
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Reviews:
“Director Douglas Grossman uses some interesting camera angles to give the murders more impact. One of the best involves a recently lobotomized victim staggering down a flight of stairs with his eyes rolling back in his head and a Number 2 pencil protruding from his temple. Leo Evans, along with co-writer Grossman, gives the characters in Hell High more layers than one would expect in a low budget slasher. With the exception of the nihilistic Dickens, the teen characters have ambitions for life after high school.” Thomas Ellison, Retro Slashers
” … it’s definitely a pretty good horror movie in general. For starters, there’s an AMAZING 80’s pop soundtrack, coupled with a truly memorable and creepy main theme and some Carpenter-esque cues during the horror scenes. Someone needs to get me this soundtrack ASAP. Also, it’s almost a shame that the mask wearing folks aren’t the killers, because two of the masks they wear are pretty awesome.” Horror Movie a Day
“There’s a great money shot that was used on most covers and marketing material and it sees the teacher running down the stairs in silhouette with a knife in her hand a la Norman Bates. In fact, the photography from Stephen Fierberg is by far the best thing technically about the picture. The scenes in the swamp are particularly gloomy and atmospheric and superbly lighted. Kudos to the producers for making the most of a low budget and Hell High shows no obvious signs of being lesser funded than the Friday the 13th sequel developed the same year.” A Slash Above…
“A decent little slasher that breaks the mold of the typical theme we’re all used to seeing from the 80’s. Worth a check if you can sit through the story, but don’t expect a lot of deaths or gore.” Upcoming Horror Movies
Filming locations:
Scarsdale, New York
Westchester, The Bronx, New York
