Watch Dementia 13

Dementia 13 is a 1963 horror film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Roger Corman. The film takes place on a large, isolated Irish estate and follows the story of the Haloran family, who gather together for an annual memorial to their deceased daughter, Kathleen. However, the reunion takes a dark turn as a secret killer begins picking off family members one by one.

The film opens with a shocking murder scene: a woman, who we later learn is Louise Haloran (Luana Anders), is brutally murdered on a rowboat by an unknown assailant wielding an axe. This sets the tone for the rest of the film, as we are constantly on edge wondering who the next victim will be and who the killer might be.

Following the prologue, the film shifts to the Haloran family estate and introduces us to the various members of the family. Richard (William Campbell) is the eldest son of the Haloran family and the husband of Louise, who was murdered in the opening scene. His brothers Billy (Bart Patton) and John (Peter Read) and their respective wives, Kane (Mary Mitchel) and Sheila (Eithne Dunne), have also gathered for the annual memorial. The matriarch of the family, Lady Haloran (Ethne Dunn), rules over the estate with an iron fist and seems to have a strained relationship with her children.

As the family members begin to settle in for the night, strange things start to happen. Richard receives a mysterious phone call and leaves the estate, while Billy and Kane sneak off to a lakeside cabin for some alone time. Meanwhile, John and Sheila explore the estate and stumble upon a secret family burial ground where they learn of Kathleen's untimely death.

As the night wears on, tensions rise and it becomes clear that not all is as it seems. Family secrets come to light, and we begin to suspect that not everyone is who they claim to be. As more murders occur, it becomes a race against time to uncover the identity of the killer before they strike again.

Dementia 13 is a classic example of a Gothic horror film. The setting is suitably creepy and atmospheric, with the Haloran family estate serving as a perfect backdrop for the gruesome events that unfold. The film is expertly shot, with Coppola employing a range of techniques to keep the audience on edge.

One of the standout features of the film is the haunting score by Ronald Stein. The soundtrack is used to great effect to create a sense of tension and unease, with the eerie music adding to the overall sense of dread that permeates the film.

The performances in Dementia 13 are solid, with William Campbell and Luana Anders standing out as the leads. Campbell is suitably brooding as Richard Haloran, while Anders puts in a chilling performance as the doomed Louise. Bart Patton is also memorable as the carefree Billy, while Mary Mitchel and Eithne Dunne acquit themselves well in their respective roles.

Overall, Dementia 13 is a classic horror film that stands the test of time. It's a tense and atmospheric thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. Coppola's skillful direction and Stein's haunting score elevate the film above its low-budget roots, while the talented cast delivers strong performances throughout. Whether you're a fan of classic horror films or just looking for a good scare, Dementia 13 is well worth a watch.

Dementia 13 is a 1963 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.