Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)

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.

Director:

Kevin Yagher (as Alan Smithee)

Writer:

Peter Atkins

Stars:

Bruce Ramsay, Valentina Vargas, Doug Bradley

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce Ramsay	...	Phillip L'Merchant / John Merchant / Dr. Paul Merchant
Valentina Vargas	...	Angelique / Peasant Girl
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 / Skinless Parker
Pat Skipper	...	Carducci
Christine Harnos	...	Rimmer
Wren T. Brown	...	Parker (as Wren Brown)

Storyline

It's the year 2127. Pinhead, the evil cenobite of the series, has found himself on board a space station in outer space, run by scientist Dr.Merchant. Dr. Merchant's mission is to close the gates to hell forever. Because his ancestor, a toymaker in the 18th century, built the evil puzzlebox that opens the gates to hell. And through the generations, the family of the bloodline has tried to stop it. But now, Dr.Merchant has built the reverse box. The box that will close the gates to hell instead of opening it.

---

Plot Keywords:

22nd century | sequel | puzzle box | outer space | heart in hand | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 March 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hellraiser IV

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$16,675,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films,Hellraiser IV Partners,Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 78 min (workprint)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The script describes the Chatterer Beast as pieced together from the remains of a dog and a man after a car accident.

---

Goofs

The actor Mickey Cottrell is credited at the beginning of the movie as "Mickey Cotrell". At the end of the movie, in the credits list, the error is corrected.

---

Quotes

Security Guard 1: Don't make us put some pain on you!
Pinhead: Pain? How dare you use that word?
Security Guard 2: He's got... pins in his head.
Pinhead: What you think of as pain is a shadow. Pain has a face. Allow me to show it to you. Gentlemen, I... Am... Pain

---

Crazy Credits

The end credits have the "Filmed in Panavision" moniker, suggesting the film was shot in cinema-scope (2.35:1), however the film was shot in flat (1.85:1) ratio. The end credit was more than likely meant to read "Filmed with Panavision cameras and lenses".

---

Alternate Versions

Just before release, Miramax had some scenes deleted and other re-shot, causing director Kevin Yagher to disown the film (the theatrical release has a director credited for 'Alan Smithee'). A new director, Joe Chappelle, was brought in to shoot the additional material.

---

Connections

Featured in Atop the Fourth Wall: Clive Barker's Hellraiser Dark Holiday Special (2017)

User Reviews

Bloodlines compliments the first 3

I've read the comments of this movie and I agree in most of the observations made. I consider Bloodlines an explanation or "origin" of the puzzle box. The first 3 talk about the Cenobites, PinHead and the pleasures and torments the box and the cenobites bring. For me Bloodlines tells the story of the puzzle box and for me as a huge Clive Barker fan it resolves the questions: Where was the puzzle build?, Why was it build? and Who made it?

The true Hellraiser movies are 1 and 2, the third one comes like a baseball player sliding in to home plate just inches from being struck out...but it works. And bloodlines totally compliments these, because it's not just about Pinhead, the main character in this one is the Puzzle Box.

That's my 2 cents.