Dementia 13 (1963) User Reviews (130)

A very good debut!

[jluis1984 · 6/10 · 11 January 2007]

Back in the early 60s, filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola was taking his first steps as a director, and after directing two "Nudie Cuties" (his very first two works), he began working with legendary producer Roger Corman as an assistant in several tasks such as dialog director, actor and finally working in the sound department of Corman's 1963 film, "The Young Racers". It was while filming this movie in Ireland when Coppola finally convinced Corman to allow him to make his first "legitimate" film: "Dementia 13", a low-budget horror film using the same locations and most of the cast of Corman's movie. Impressed by the script that Coppola and writer Jack Hill devised, gave Coppola free reign over the film and went back to the America, leaving all set for the debut of a man who would become one of the most important directors of the 70s and 80s.

Louise Haloran (Luana Anders) has a problem, her husband John (Peter Read) has died and therefore legally she is unable to claim any inheritance if John's mother dies. In order to retain her part in the testament, Louise decides to make everyone believe that John is still alive and pretending he was sent to New york to work, making him unable to accompany her to the family annual Memorial service they do for John's younger sister Kathleen in Ireland. at her arrival, everything seems to work out fine at first, but John's older brother Richard (WIlliam Campbell) begins to suspect that something is wrong. However, soon this becomes Louise' lesser problem, as something bigger and morbid seems to be going on inside the dark corridors of Harlan's Castle.

"Dementia 13" was written mostly by Coppola in a few days, but after Corman allowed them to continue with the project, Jack Hill helped Coppola to finish the script. The story is basically a mixture of traditional Gothic horror with elements of the slasher sub-genre that was in its early stages during those years ("Dementia 13" shows a lot of influence from Hitchcock's "Psycho"), and while it is indeed a bit messy and contrived at first sight, it does deliver an interesting mystery and good doses of suspense. It's not the most original movie ever (not even for its time), but it's very noticeable that Coppola was not going for the easy route of showing shocks ("lots of sex and violence" as he supposedly promised to Corman) and actually attempts to built a thrilling story of intrigues and madness.

While the plot may not be the film greatest strength, the direction by Coppola is surprisingly very good for a debut as he shows a raw display of the talent that would take him to the top in the future years. Giving a great use to the Irish castle that serves as location to the film, Coppola creates a nice atmosphere of dread and well, dementia, that fills the film with ominous power and gives it a personality of its own. Despite his limited resources (even for Corman's standards), he manages to come up with some good (although sparse) special effects that look impressive when one considers the shoestring budget he had to work with. Of course, "Dementia 13" is not really a great or remarkable film, but it's very good for a first time director and it's also really obvious that this is where Coppola learned many things about his craft.

Overall the cast does an effective job and manage to carry the film without too many problems. Luana Anders as Louise Harlan was probably at the top of her game and really shows that she is more than a pretty face. William Campbell as Richard Haloran is also excellent in his performance, although a little over the top at times. The film's best performances are given by Eithne Dunne and Patrick Magee, who as the unstable Lady Haloran and her Doctor respectively, give the film a dignity and a class uncommon in other similar movies. Magee is easily the highlight of the film, as he transforms what otherwise would be a two-dimensional character into a full fledged character with his charm and enormous talent.

This movie is a quite good example of how the cinema was evolving in the 60s, as the style and overall tone feel very fresh and young; however, those expecting to see another of Coppola's masterpieces in "Dementia 13" will be sorely disappointed. The movie's biggest problem is the somewhat messy script, that not only feels a bit too derivative from "Psycho" in some moments, but it also can become confusing and tedious at times. Fortunately, the cast does a very good job (considering the limitations) in solving this and along with Coppola's original direction literally save the movie from being a failure.

"Dementia 13" has gained a good reputation over the years, and while most of it is probably due to Coppola's later success as a director, it's hard to deny that there is real raw talent in the making of the film. Personally, I think that the best way to appreciate this early Coppola movie is to go without expectations and be willing to enjoy the ride. A very good, albeit flawed, horror movie. 6/10

Good whodunit/horror flick with twists...

[dwpollar · 6/10 · 31 May 2003]

1st watched 5/31/2003 - 6 out of 10(Dir-Francis Coppola): Good whodunit/horror flick with twists around every corner and old-style scary movie feel. This is the first effort from Francis "Ford" Coppola with probably a shoestring budget with producer Roger Corman also involved. What is done well in this movie is the storytelling and the use of sound/music to keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. For 1963, this movie probably was rather shocking because of it's realisticly violent scenes but the core of the movie is the good story. Coppola shows here that his career in film will be promising and it has been. Good for collectors and for just people who like good horror/mystery movies.

Eerie Irish Horror Story

[sol-kay · 7/10 · 3 February 2004]

******SPOILERS****** Early 1960's collaboration of director Francis Ford Coppala and film producer Roger Corman of a horror story set in and around Ireland's Haloran Castle. The movie has really two stories that intersect each other halfway into the movie which sets off a series of brutal ax murders which for the time, the early 1960's, are as graphic as anything seen in films back in those days.

John Haloran, Peter Reed, dies of a sudden heart attack, which seemed self-induced, rowing a boat with his wife Louise, Luana Anders, on board one night. Getting nothing from John's estate if he dies before she does which was stated in John's will Louise frantically tries to hide John's body by throwing him overboard into the lake. Louise ties an anchor to his waist to keep John from floating to the surface and being discovered.

Back home Louise writes a letter attributing it to John stating that he's gone on an urgent business trip to New York and may not be back for some time. Louise then plans to talk John's emotionally unstable mother Lady Haloran, Eithne Dunne, into re-writing the will and include her in it with or without the survival of her husband. The next day John's older brother Richard, William Campball, is set to see his fiancée Kane, Mary Mitchel, who's arriving from the USA to meet Richard's family in Ireland. When Kane is picked up by Richard's younger brother William, Brent Patton, at the airport William tells Kane that tomorrow is the seventh anniversary of their 13 year-old sister Kathleen's, Barbara Downing, tragic death and the family is having it's annual ceremony to commemorate it.

Louise knowing how much Lady Haloran misses her beloved daughter Kathleen tries to manipulate her by trying to prove to her that she's somehow in touch with the dead Kathleen through communications with her from the "other side". This is to get her to like Louise, who Lady Haloran despises, and get her to change the will that she wrote up that left Louise out in the cold if her husband dies in terms of his inheritance. Trying to convince Lady Haloran that she's really in communication with her daughter Louise tries to stage an event by taking some toys from Kathleen's room and planting them at the bottom of the pound where she drowned seven years ago.Louise plans at the right moment to have the toys rise to the surface in Lady Haloran presence to prove, to Lady Haloran, that she's telling her the truth.

What Louise doesn't know, by reviving suppressed memories of Kathleen's death, is that she set off and put into motion the person who was responsible for it to commit a number of bloody ax murders with Louise being his first victim.

Despite a shoe string budget and a unknown cast "Dementia 13" is a pretty effective Horror/Mystery movie.The murderer is more or less reviled almost at the beginning of the film but in such a way to make you not realize it. In a good attempt of misdirection by Francis Ford Coppala the audience is made to look somewhere or at someone else in the movie which keeps you guessing who the killer is until the very end. Coppala's use of striking black and white photography as well as the effective use of sounds and shadows greatly adds to the suspense as well as creepiness of the movie.

"Well this is the Devil's own climate."

[Backlash007 · 9 November 2001]

Dementia 13 is Francis Ford Coppola's first flick, his directorial debut. Yeah, that's right. The man that brought you Apocalypse Now and The Godfather worked first in horror. And worked well I might add. Under the producing eye of Roger Corman, this is one of the earlier additions to the slasher genre, and it's not bad. A few flaws keep this one from being a black and white masterpiece. My biggest peeve with the film is the fact that it's not real hard to see who the killer is. They should have done a better job of masking his face. There are a few priceless scenes though. The radio being tossed into the water, and the muffling of the music is quite cool. I love the part where the killer is dragging the girl's body by the wrist, it's rather wicked. It also has perhaps one of the earliest decapitations. Patrick Magee is fabulous as the aristocratic doctor. This hard to find gem is worth looking for, especially for old school horror fans.

This Francis Ford Coppola first film results to be a chilling terror movie containing heart-pounding horror , creepy scenes and scary events

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 5 October 2021]

Thrilling and nail-biting movie with eerie frames , tension, violence and amazing but predictable finale . From start to finish the dark atmosphere , sinister happenings , twists and turns are continuous . It deals with a peculiar family , whose anniversary of Kathleen Haloran's death is approaching , due to she died drowning in the pond on the family estate. Since then, her mummy has had a maniacal obsession with Kathleen's record , and considered the estate to a charity in Kathleen's name . This doesn't sit well with ambitious wife , Louise Haloran, who thinks her mother-in-law is nutty . Along the way, a killer on loose carries out an extreme slaughter . You Must Pass the "D-13" Test To Prepare You for the Horrifying Experience of Dementia 13. If You Fail the Test...You Will Be Asked to Leave the Theater! Pretense is not acceptable at Haloran Castle! Are you afraid of death by drowning? Have you ever attempted suicide? Have you ever thought of committing murder? A Brand New Concept in Motion Picture Shock! A Thrilling New Creation of Terror Thru Sight and Sound, Filmed Entirely in the Shock-Packed Process of Dementia 13!

This Most Terrifying Screen Experience Of Your Life turns out to be an acceptable horror movie with chills , thrills , ghastly deeds and naive special effects and nowadays , considered to be an underground classic. An eerie thriller , set in a creepy castle , it's an early Coppola movie about the members of an Irish family who are being offed by an axe killer one by one . The classy plot about a criminally insane man executing a criminal spree with unexpected consequences , while scaring the people living in the isolated mansion . Terrifying and scary horror movie really influenced by Hammer Films , in which a serial killer causing chaos , destruction and a lot of killings . As the main question of the movie is : Which One Is The Killer?. It displays a confusing plot at times, dealing with non-sense murders and a wished inheritance .The spooky images are wide-ranging , including as follows : gory images , disfigured people , severed heads , slashing , beheading , among others . Not great , but well done terror thriller with mysterious events , some horrifying suspense and slick scene changes . Stars a nice cast giving nice interpretations , such as : William Campbell, Luana Anders, Mary Mitchel and Patrick Magee .

This film was produced in low budget by prolific Roger Corman , being compellingly made by one of the best filmmakers , Francis Ford Coppola , who wrote as well , along with Jack Hill , though it has some flaws and gaps . This director has made great films as "The Conversation", "Apocalypse Now" , "Outsiders", "Rumble Fish" , "Gardens of Stone", and of course "The Godfather" saga and that is deemed to be one of the best ones . A cult above average movie for fans of this great filmmaker Coppola . Essential and fundamental watching for Francis Ford Coppola enthusiasts and completists . Rating : Acceptable and passable 6/10.

Early atmospheric chiller with true moments of screen horror

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 15 June 2016]

This is an impressive black and white film in the classic late '50s gimmicky tradition. The poster for this film proclaimed "Are you afraid of death by drowning? Have you ever attempted suicide? Have you ever thought of committing murder? These are some of the questions you will be asked in the unprecedented "D-13 Test" to prepare you for the horrifying experience of DEMENTIA 13. If you fail the test... you will be asked to leave the theatre!" This obvious copying of the "shock" gimmicks used in William Castle's films has nothing to really do with the film, which is an atmospheric thriller sparing little time for laughs (except those of the macabre variety).

Director Francis Ford Coppola creates a very powerful and frightening film by using crisp black and white photography and including strangely surreal images prevalent throughout, such as the moving toys, or the drowning itself. The film is also produced by Roger Corman, which lends it a dubious distinction. The plot is complex and frequently twists, but basically keeps to the murder mystery genre (unknown killer, all the cast come under suspicion). The latter half of the film, which follows the usual (and occasionally tiresome) build up which introduces the characters, contains a string of axe murders which were extremely graphic for their time. So much so that this could be classed as an early 'slasher' film, coming decades before later classics like BLACK Christmas. The music is very memorable and spine chilling, almost like that of HALLOWEEN.

The film also has some horrific images, such as the girl hanging on a hook (shades of THE Texas CHAIN SAW MASSACRE here). There's a gory decapitation, where the victim's head rolls into a pond. The acting is fairly good all round, from Luana Anders as a woman obsessed by greed, to the suspicious brothers. However, the best actor of the lot is Patrick Magee, who shines as the hard, initially unlikable doctor. He puts in a brilliant performance in what is an overlooked film in the genre, rarely seen or talked about, but certainly something of a minor classic. Seek it out if you're interested in seeing an early atmospheric chiller with some true moments of screen horror.

Curious to See in 2009

[claudio_carvalho · 5/10 · 18 April 2009]

In Ireland, the greedy American Louise (Luana Anders) is disappointed with the will of her mother-in-law Lady Haloran (Ethne Dunne) on the eve of Kathleen's seventh memorial ceremony. While rowing a small boat during the night in the pond of the Haloran Castle with Louise, John Haloran (Peter Read) has a fatal heart attack. Louise is aware that she will not receive the share of the inheritance if the death of John is discovered, so she dumps his body in the pond. Then she forges a farewell letter from John to his mother telling that he needs to go back to New York, and she separates some clothes in John's suitcase to simulate his travel. Louise succeeds to convince Lady Haloran and her sons Richard (William Campbell) and Billy (Bart Patton) about John's urgent business trip. Later she talks to Billy about the spooky old castle and Billy tells that the place is haunted by his sister Kathleen, who drowned in the pond many years ago driving his mother to the edge. On the next morning, Richard's American fiancée Kane (Mary Mitchel) arrives for the family's reunion and the Machiavellian Louise approaches to Lady Haloran showing sympathy for her feelings for Kathleen. During the night, Louise goes to Kathleen's bedroom and gets some toys; then she dives in the pond to prepare a prank to lure Lady Haloran. When she returns, she is attacked by a man with a machete and dies; when she is not found in the castle, the family believes she has traveled without saying goodbye. Later, Lady Haloran's doctor Justin Caleb (Patrick Magee) decides to investigate the small lake and the mystery about the Haloran Castle, disclosing a hidden secret in the dysfunctional family.

It is curious to see "Dementia 13" in 2009, and the greatest attraction is the name of the director and writer Francis Coppola (without the Ford) in one of his earliest works. Produced by Roger Corman, the King of the B-Movies (especially in the 60's), this black-and-white feature has an abrupt beginning without any previous development of characters or situation. Then the flawed and predictable story of dementia and family curse visibly follows the style of Alfred Hitchcock. I found in IMDb that the original title would be "Dementia"; however, it was added a "13" since there is a 1955 movie with the same title. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Demência 13" ("Dementia 13")

More Corman Than Coppola, But Not Bad

[utgard14 · 6/10 · 29 June 2014]

A woman's husband dies of a heart attack shortly before they are to visit his family. She dumps his body into a lake and tells the family that he was called away on business, while she schemes to ensure she collects his inheritance. Her scheming is cut short, however, by the appearance of an ax-wielding killer out for blood.

Of note today as being Francis Ford Coppola's feature film debut, or at least his first credited one. Because it's from a director as accomplished as Coppola, there seems to be more thought put into analyzing Dementia 13 than is necessary. It is exactly what it appears to be: an early slasher film made on a shoestring budget and produced by the master of the cheapie, Roger Corman. It's not a bad movie. It's a little slow at times and the script doesn't always make sense, but it's a perfectly serviceable movie of its type. It has some style that one could point to as a sign of Coppola's yet-to-emerge talent. It also provided the line about "an American girl raised on promises" that was cribbed by Tom Petty for his song "American Girl," which I thought was a neat bit of trivia.

But little Kathleen would always stay...

[hitchcockthelegend · 5/10 · 5 May 2013]

Dementia 13 (AKA: The Haunted/The Hunted) is written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It stars William Campbell, Luana Anders, Patrick Magee and Bart Patton. Music is by Ronald Stein and cinematography by Charles Hannawalt.

A Roger Corman produced cheapie, made to give Coppola a leg up the ladder while utilising sets and cast members just used for Corman's The Young Racers, Dementia 13 has somehow gained a reputation as a cult classic. It isn't.

Coppola shows some nice touches at times, throwing in some eerie images (children's toys/underwater shenanigans) to a Gothic castle backdrop, and he is assured when it comes to a violent scene, but the script is laughable, the screenplay ludicrous and away from Magee the acting is weak. Add to that that the mystery element - the who is the mad axe murderer? - is hardly mysterious at all, and it's a pretty turgid movie. And this even after Corman had changes implemented once he viewed Coppola's finished cut, proclaiming it as near unreleasable and hiring Jack Hill to touch it up.

It was always Corman's hope that the film would be a cheap Psycho knock off, and it is, and not a good one at that. Are there signs of great to come from the director? Yes, definitely. But that shouldn't be mistaken as worthy cinema. From blinking corpses to poorly lighted sequences, to kiddie gore effects and the uneven mess of a plot that unfolds once a key character exits the mid-point, the film shows itself as undeserving of the praise heaped on it by some. 5/10

"The Haunted and the Hunted"

[Coventry · 7/10 · 21 February 2005]

"The Haunted and the Hunted" is an appropriate and much more meaningful a.k.a for Coppola's sublime debut, focusing on a cursed and tormented Irish family. The plot is grim and creative and seemly starts out as a psychological portrait about a family reuniting in the parental castle to have a memorial ceremony in honor of the deceased daughter. The girl drowned in the estate's pond 7 years before and the mother still can't deal with the loss. But then the story pretty quickly turns into a guessing game of "who is the mad axe-murderer who dwells around the mansion?" Coppola himself delivered a well-constructed screenplay but the power of this film merely lies in the solid Gothic atmosphere instead of ingenious plotting. It's not that hard to guess the homicidal maniac's identity but the butchering he/she commits is disturbingly filmed and rather frightening. The scene in which this killer drags one of his victims through the meadow is efficiently eerie! Francis Ford Coppola's maybe owes his success to Roger Corman but it's definitely the producer's style and trademarks that triumph here. The depressing Irish castle and other dark set pieces make the wholesome look extra chilling and uncanny. The acting is overall decent but the best performance is unquestionably given by the brilliant British genre-actor Patrick Magee (Asylum, Tales from the crypt and A Clockwork Orange).

low budget ax-murdering horror

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 1 November 2014]

John and his wife Louise Haloran (Luana Anders) have an unpleasant time together rowing a boat. He dies of a heart attack and she dumps his body in the water. She stands to lose everything because of his and his mother's Wills. So she tells everybody that he's away on a business trip. She must take care of his mother-in-law before she dies leaving everything to a charity for her daughter Kathleen dead for 7 years. Louise fakes an invite to the annual family remembrance for Kathleen.

The plot is confusing. The motivation of Louise is barely decipherable. The movie is a bit of a mess. It's disappointing considering that it is both written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola in one of his earlier efforts. Although one must remember that this is a Roger Corman production. He's even copying Psycho in killing off the blonde female lead halfway through the movie. There is an attempt at spooky atmosphere with filming in and around an English manor. It never builds anything close to that. It's mostly a low-budget boring ax-murdering slasher horror. The kills aren't scary but there is some blood-splattering head-rolling fun.

Worth much more than rating reflects

[baldwi27 · 9/10 · 9 October 2002]

Being a film buff, and not exclusively a fan of the horror genre, I saw the average rating on imdb and expected a kitchy, amateurish farce-of-a-flick. What it turned out to be caught me absolutely off-guard. The only thing more terrifying than the film itself was the poor overall rating it received on imdb. This is a superb example of a psychological thriller, and certainly the most underrated and underappreciated film of this genre I have ever seen.

Dementia 13 is a fairly simple narrative on the surface, but underneath it is an interweaving story, each branch adding depth and mystery to the story and each branch being a carefully-planned twist of the senses.

My wife, being a huge fan of the genre, especially of films from the 60s, has already encouraged me to watch numerous other films similar in narrative feel, such as "The Innocents" based on The Turn of the Screw by Henry James or "The Haunting" based on the Shirley Jackson story. After seeing so many films, many of which were based on well-crafted stories by famous authors, it astounds me to think that A young Francis Coppola not only directed this superb film, but CONCEIVED it and WROTE it as well. The result reads just as well (and even better, in many cases) than many well-crafted novels, itself being a story of an utmost macabre and chilling nature... and the storytelling leaves little to be desired.

Francis Coppola, only 22 at the time, made this film with a miniscule budget of only $20,000 and an extremely rushed shooting schedule. It is no wonder Coppola blossomed into a well-respected, master craftsman of film. And the limited resources all but completely excuse any of the flaws in this film. Looking at the facts about the film and its maker surely must invoke jealously in any artist who realizes what true masters can accomplish at a young age.

Yes, it is true that Dementia 13 takes elements from Hitchcock's Psycho (among other Hitch films), including anticipatory tension, a finely dissonant score, and even several camera shots, but Coppola isn't just mimicking Hitchcock. He's manipulating the very essence of what makes Hitchcock frightening, while adding his own distinct style and flavor to the film.

And it IS genuinely frightening. It implies unspeakable things and it toys with one's mind as one watches it. And when the screen DOES show you something you've been anticipating, (partly in thanks to the demented film score,) expect to be surprised and expect your skin to tingle something fierce. The psychological angle with which Coppola approached Dementia 13 leaves one with the terrible sense that the human mind REALLY IS capable of this kind of demented horror... which, of course, makes the film all the more terrifying and satisfying.

This film is not merely an amateur's flailing attempt. It is the first masterpiece of a blooming genius.

The rating it has on imdb is appallingly low. I can't even begin to wonder what kinds of bad horror films are getting better ratings by people. Maybe more people just need to see this fairly obscure film before it will get its overdue appreciation. 9 out of 10

fun "Psycho"ploitation

[ThrownMuse · 7/10 · 7 December 2004]

This early Coppola movie was a surprise. I was expecting a haunted house story, but this is more along the lines of Psycho (hence the title?). The opening scene is simultaneously moody and comical and easily the most memorable part of the movie. The story here is pretty morbid, with a family gathering at their castle for the yearly memorial of their dead little sister. Louise (Luanna Anders) married into the family and could care less. She just wants to get written into the matriarch's will (oh, and get the matriarch offed!) so she can get her hands on some cash. Anders is perfect at playing cold and conniving and her nasty character is classic. The score is pretty effective in parts, but gets a little over-the-top and repetitive at times. The main problem with this film is it is way too short and ends very suddenly. It was filmed on a miniscule budget, apparently using the set of another movie during the hours it wasn't shooting, so that might have something to do with this. The first half is darkly amusing and atmospheric, but the second half is just violent post-Psycho exploitation with little payoff. My Rating: 6/10

Coppola's version of "Psycho," sort of

[Wuchakk · 5/10 · 5 March 2019]

After the sudden death of her husband, an American woman (Luana Anders) keeps it secret and tries to ingratiate herself to the matriarch at the family manor in Ireland in order to extort part of the inheritance. But there's a dark pall over the family after an accidental drowning seven years earlier, not to mention the specter of a psycho with an axe! William Campbell plays the strange brother and Mary Mitchel his fiancée.

Shot in B&W, "Dementia 13" (1963), aka "The Haunted and the Hunted," was the theatrical debut for writer/director Francis Ford Coppola after producer Roger Corman offered him to do a low-budget imitation of "Psycho" (1960) in Ireland with funds left over from his movie "The Young Racers," on which Coppola worked as a sound technician. Actually, this wasn't technically Coppola's first film as he did eleven days shooting of Corman's superior "The Terror" in Big Sur, California.

The story and setting are very different from "Psycho" and its sister English film "Horror Hotel" (aka "The City of the Dead"), which was produced/released at the same time as "Psycho," although it wasn't released in America until two years later. Nevertheless, "Dementia 13" is cut from the same B&W horror cloth and shares an infamous plot twist that originated with those two films. Like "Psycho," there's a psycho madman, although he prefers an axe to a butcher knife.

Unfortunately, "Dementia 13" isn't great like "Psycho" or formidable like "Horror Hotel," mainly because the story is sorta befuddling (like the two bodies of water that aren't properly differentiated), although most everything's explained at the end. There's a good gothic ambiance, but the bewildering storytelling prevents the flick from taking off. And Luana Anders, while okay, is second rate compared to the breathtaking Venetia Stevenson in "Horror Hotel" and Janet Leigh in "Psycho."

Corman wasn't happy with what Coppola brought home to California. He (rightly) insisted that certain scenes needed simplified and that more violence was necessary, to which Jack Hill was hired to shoot the additional poacher scenes. A useless prologue was also tacked on to beef-up the runtime, which wasn't featured on the version I watched. If you're familiar with Coppola's later work, like "Youth Without Youth" (2007) and "Twixt" (2011), you know that he has the tendency to overcomplicate scripts. That's the problem with "Dementia 13." Still, it definitely upped the slasher ante and influenced that particular horror genre.

The film runs 1 hour, 15 minutes and was shot in Ireland (Howth Castle, Howth, and Ardmore Studios in Bray). It was remade and improved in color in 2017.

GRADE: C

Scares on a shoestring and it's not bad.

[Poseidon-3 · 1 April 2004]

When Alfred Hitchcock's Marion Crane (of "Psycho") stepped into the shower and met her fate, it kicked off a slew of stark, grisly chillers about nutcases, often wielding butcher knives or axes. This entry has the distinction of being one of Coppola's earliest directorial efforts and it is clearly influenced by Hitchcock, though without his budget or seasoned mastery. Anders plays a rather nagging wife who is visiting her husband's ancestral castle with him just in time to "celebrate" the anniversary of his kid sister's funeral. He, his two brothers and his mother gather annually to pay tribute to the little girl who was drowned on the premises years before. One brother (Campbell) is an angry sculptor with an American fiancee (Mitchel.) The other (Patton) is a gentle, sort of shy type. The mother (Dunne) can't get past the death of her daughter and faints on cue each year at the ceremony. Not long into the film, one death sets off a chain of events that unleashes a couple of other ones to where no one at the castle is safe and the audience is often not certain who the mad killer is (though veteran fans of horror/suspense shouldn't have that much trouble figuring it out.) The film is far from perfect, but given the unbelievable budgetary and filming restraints, it does manage to conjure up some creeps and story interest. The only part that really drags is the section involving an overly inquisitive doctor (Magee.) Otherwise, there is creativity in the filming of the deaths and a nice sense of atmosphere throughout (even if almost none of these Irish characters has anything resembling an accent!) There are slicker fright films out there, but this one wins points for accomplishing pretty much with precious little to work with.

Convoluted - demented

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 21 June 2020]

The viewer himself may think he got or will get Dementia from watching this. It is quite the crazy movie. Considering when this was made, the effects are good, the story is a bit tough to follow through though. Although I reckon the murder(er) mystery is not as tough or surprising to unveil/discover.

So consider when this was made, the fact it is black and white and that it probably will confuse you more than it will give you any other feelings. Nicely acted I'd say and interesting too

Coppola's first real film, a sign of things to come and things to learn

[Quinoa1984 · 6/10 · 6 March 2003]

Francis Ford Coppola, a director who is one of those can go from a streak of great films (Godfather 1 & 2, The Conversation, and Apocalypse Now in the 70's) to a string of lacklusters (some of his 80's work), has his first film credit forty years ago under B-movie god Roger Corman. It tells of the basic elements of a horror story- murder, deception, fright, mystery, sadness, and enjoyment, in telling of a horror tale on an island. The debut writer/director doesn't show much off other than to please the matinee crowds at the time, but there is a certain style and pleasure that comes to watching this film, probably as one to goof on to be sure, but it shows signs of promise here and there. B-

Overrated. WAY overrated.

[deans24 · 1/10 · 21 February 2007]

If the young Francis Ford Coppola had went on to have a career more like that of Ed Wood, Jr., instead of his actual career, this film would likely be universally regarded as the overwrought piece of crap that it is. I first saw this film as a college student, and regarded it as one of the most unintendedly hilarious "horror" films I ever saw (along with several of my friends). The viewer should be warned, however, that there are many long, dragging, boring bits in between the moments of unintended humor. The truly remarkable thing about this film is the way it shows the long, LONG progress Coppola made beyond this film later (The Godfather, Part III, nonwithstanding).

Quite a smart little horror movie

[MOscarbradley · 6/10 · 24 June 2017]

Even the director of "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now" had to start somewhere and here you have it. This early Coppola, (he wrote it as well as directing), was produced by Roger Corman and was filmed in Ireland. Despite being a cheapo it's quite a smart little horror picture. The acting is mostly terrible despite the presence in the cast of those fine Irish actors Patrick Magee and Eithne Dunne. The leads, shipped from America, were William Campbell and Luana Anders though their names would hardly boost the films box-office appeal so it's left to a fledgling Coppola to jizz things up which he does quite effectively. The creepy black and white photography of Charles Hannawalt also helps.

Family members missing? By all means, don't call the police!

[soulexpress · 2/10 · 14 August 2017]

The directorial debut of Francis Ford Coppola (courtesy of producer Roger Corman), DEMENTIA 13 has been hailed as a forgotten masterpiece. Those who make that claim are only half right. It is a rushed production with a very low budget and a young director who had yet to find his voice. These elements don't have to mean a sub-par movie, but in this case they did.

The plot: when John Halloran (William Campbell) dies of a heart attack, his wife Louise (Luana Anders) disposes of the body and lies that he was called away on urgent business so she can claim his inheritance. This leads to a bizarre family gathering in an Irish castle where an ax murderer picks them off one by one.

Luana Anders is convincing enough as the scheming Louise. She also is quite attractive in a Dusty Springfield sort of way. The rest of the acting is what I expected: passable but nothing special. The characters are cursory and, though the Hallorans are of Irish descent, none have an accent. So why bother to set the film in Ireland?

It never occurs to anyone to notify the police when their family and staff members go missing. The film does a poor job of hiding the killer's face during the ax murders. The violence is more implied than shown, a bad move on Coppola's part. The score is simultaneously uninspired and grating. And in several scenes, it's hard to hear what the characters are saying.

DEMENTIA 13 is a desultory exercise that moves like molasses, offers no suspense, and at 74 minutes feels longer than Coppola's three-hour- long masterpieces, THE GODFATHER and APOCALYPSE NOW. On the other hand, I can see the genetic link between this film and the disastrous BRAM STOKER'S Dracula.

Item: When Louise strips to her underwear and goes swimming in a nearby pond, her panties change color from white to black.

Item: Though she is swimming at night, Louise has a clear view of everything under the water.

Item: The family doctor tells an ailing Mother Halloran, "Think of your mind as a bird in the hand. When it's relaxed, you're fine. But when it's tense…." (How do I know what it means?)

Item: The killer takes his ax to one of the servants, who is never mentioned again. Either no one noticed, or didn't care, that he was gone.

Item: As the family doctor pursues the killer through the woods, there is a cigar in his mouth that vanishes and reappears with each cut.

Item: The title is never explained.

"Row faster Louise, if I die there's nothing in it for you."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 21 September 2005]

By the time this film was over, I couldn't help thinking that if it were made today, using modern technology and special effects, "Dementia 13" might be one of the all time great horror and psychological thrillers. Add to that the fabled directing of an experienced Francis Ford Coppola, and you would have a modern day classic instead of a 1960's era 'B' grade programmer. Even so, the movie stacks up remarkably well, dated or not, particularly in the creepy edge given to it by the dysfunctional Haloran clan and it's setting in an old Irish castle.

Early on, we're led to believe that the scheming Louise Haloran (Luana Anders) will play a primary role in the Haloran saga, out to secure a sizable fortune upon the death of her mother in law (Eithne Dunn). She's not above a bit of skulduggery when her husband John dies of a heart attack while rowing on an estate pond; she merely weights his body down and sends it overboard. Blaming his disappearance on a business trip, Louise prepares to deal with the annual ritual of honoring the memory of John's deceased sister Kathleen, now dead for seven years. Mother Haloran presides over the austere gathering under black umbrellas, just as the original ceremony was conducted in the rain, a very effective touch.

John and Kathleen have two surviving brothers, Richard and Billy, (William Campbell, Bart Patton), and as the movie progresses, one begins to understand that something is not quite right with either one of them. Through deft storytelling and misdirection, Coppola guides our way through an intricately weaved mystery that plays out among suffocating underwater scenes and well timed ax thrusts. The appearance of a very lifelike doll in the image of young Kathleen keeps showing up in unusual places, adding resonance to the mystery.

The Haloran family doctor, portrayed by Patrick Magee, has his own ideas about what's going on, but manages to cast suspicion on himself along the way. Watch carefully in the movie's latter half when he enters a work shed and discovers the body of Louise and the lifelike Kathleen doll. Carefully picking up the doll, he closes the shed door, and immediately in the next scene is shown walking with the doll in his arms and a cigar in his mouth - nice trick!

As flashback scenes of young Kathleen's drowning death recur through brother Billy's memories, the link is established to the identity of the film's ax wielding loony. When his identity is finally revealed after taking a bullet from the vigilant Dr. Caleb, he utters the message earlier seen on a headstone which lay buried beneath the pond's surface - "Forgive me Kathleen".

Taken together, and reflecting on all the elements of the story, "Dementia 13" defines itself as a satisfying horror mystery that laid the groundwork for future greatness for it's young director Francis (minus the Ford) Coppola. When you consider that Coppola also wrote the original story, you'll have an even greater appreciation of the film, and rightfully so. Fans of Mr. Coppola and 1960's horror should not miss this one.

Horrific, depressing, painful... and thats just the acting

[nolans2 · 1/10 · 13 June 2006]

Even though this film is considered quite bad it is still overrated... Perhaps this is because many film fans cannot comprehend that a director of Francis Ford Coppola's stature could produce such a rubbish film. No doubt if this film was made by an unknown person people would see it for what it truly is... a poor attempt to imitate Hithcock type suspense.

Set in Ireland, the film stays true to all the American stereotypical images of the country. So much so in fact that you half expect a Leprechaun to rush across the screen at any moment looking for a crock of gold. The doomed upper-class family all have distinct American/ English accents while the "normal" Irish have a country brogue and are portrayed as being rather dimwitted peasants... Apparently the O'Halloran clan went to school in America and then returned to Ireland, presumably because in the mind of Francis Ford Coppola, Ireland has no colleges or schools but just thatched cottages, bogs and castles inhabited by Anglo-Americans...

The story line is predictable, tedious, and unrealistic. Most people who watch it can immediately point out the killer the first time the character appears on screen and therefore for the remainder of the film they are simply left waiting for the inevitable unveiling. I have tried to watch this film in full on two occasions, but each time i have fallen into a deep sleep. My advice would be to avoid this film and take a look at another film also made by this director...its a relatively obscure film called the Godfather...it quite good.... This however is bile...

Very creepy little chiller from Roger Corman

[chris_gaskin123 · 7/10 · 6 February 2006]

Dementia 13 has to be one of Roger Corman's best and most creepiest movies. Certainly different from his creature features like Monster From the Oceon Floor.

Several axe murders take place in the grounds of a creepy castle in Ireland. Victims include a young woman who let her husband die some years before and the gamekeeper. Also some years before, a girl was killed by her brother. Could he be the killer?

For its time, this is quite gory and violent in parts, especially the part where you see the gamekeeper's head being chopped off.

The only member of the cast I've heard of in this movie is Patrick Magee (Tales From the Crypt).

Have a good fright with Dementia 13. Brilliant.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

Corman's protégé:

[dagonseve · 4/10 · 18 April 2010]

Francis Ford Coppola, the former protégé of Roger Corman, directs this black and white feature about murder. If you're not familiar with Coppola, he directed such titles as the Godfather Trilogy, Apocalypse Now, and 1992's Bram Stoker's Dracula. In 1963, Corman completed the filming for The Young Racers over in Ireland; Coppola was a designated sound technician. He allowed Coppola to use the leftover funds from the project to direct a low-budget, mainstream horror movie. It's obvious that Coppola was still an amateur at this stage of his career and it's an interesting back story of how this film came about. It is considered his first notable endeavor as a director.

Louis Haloran's husband, John, dies of a fatal heart attack late one night out on the lake. Thinking quickly, she pushes his body over the side to cover up his death. With a scheming plot in mind, she notifies John's mother that she intends to visit them in Ireland while John is away on business; his death remains a mystery to ensure her place in Lady Haloran's will - one that documents the terms of the family inheritance. If it is discovered that John is no longer living, she will forfeit her eligibility as the recipient of the fortune. When she arrives at the family castle in Ireland, the plot unfolds and new developments are added to the tale. A psychopath is on the loose, killing off individuals who are tied to a past family tragedy.

Most of the atmosphere "completed itself" so to speak, given it was shot in black and white. Stylistically, it reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho which was released 3 years earlier. Apparently this is the feel that Coppola wanted to mimic. Unfortunately, the storyline here is pretty weak and predictable. I won't ruin it for you completely, but there is one scene where a woman is killed and dragged out of the lake by her arm. Coppola managed to effectively capture an eerie and demented scene here. Overall, I was disappointed by this film - it came with the Frightfest - Nightmare in a Box set that I received as a gift a few months ago. I don't mind that it's in my collection; just definitely not a favorite.