10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Hellraiser
8. The Film Was Directed By The Original Author
Many fans of Hellraiser are surprised to learn the film was scripted and directed by the original author himself, Clive Barker. Not only that, it was the first feature-length film he ever made.
The reason why he decided to tackle the project was simple - he was certain someone else would screw it up. When he saw how his screenplays for Rawhide Rex and Underworld were transformed into "cinematic abominations", he vowed to adapt Hellraiser himself. He didn't expect it to be a masterpiece but at least the story would be closer to his original vision if he was in the director's chair.
Even though he was told Hellraiser was guaranteed to go straight to video, it hit theatres in September 1987. Predictably, critics were divisive about the film and Roger Ebert infamously referred to it as the "bankruptcy of imagination". But since it recouped its budget 14 times over and launched a franchise, there is no question Hellraiser was a monster success.
Barker may not have as much success with his other films, Nightbreed and Lord of Illusions, but at least Hellraiser allowed him to leave his stamp on the horror genre.