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H.H. Holmes (2004)
H.H. Holmes is the first Serial Killer Docudrama written by Jon Borowski ("Albert Fish"). This film details H.H. Holmes origins of his criminal life leading to him designing his Castle of Horrors in Chicago. He excelled in school unlike most serial killers and used the mental tools given to him through education for evil purposes. He was also a ladies man, a swindler and for some odd reason he was wealthy but never paid his credit debts. In 1882 he enrolled into University of Michigan and majored in Chemistry and Anatomy. Thomas Cronin a real life Criminal Profiler is floored that H.H Holmes actually finishes his education and completes medical school. Holmes worked on cadavers to satisfy his lust for the morbid.
He was born Henry Webster Mudget and changed his name to H.H Holmes to avoid being accused of swindling the many people he did shady deeds to in the past. H.H Holmes drew his most dark fantasies from the work of Edgar Allen Poe. In 1886 he moved to Chicago during the economic boom years after the 1871 fire. The documentary details how he went from Drug Store owner to the resident of a giant sized building on 63rd street. The detail Borowski puts into this story is amazing.
Tony Jay narrates each and every detail and his baritone voice should keep the viewers attention. He discusses Borowski's manipulative crimes such as fraud and ignoring debt. Then he describes the numerous traps and mazes in H.H. Holmes business front of a house that was basically a place to do all of his violent fantasies such as giving acid baths, crematories, quick lime pits and much more gruesome death devices.
The dramatization scenes have a very gothic feel you would find in Universal Monster movies. This style makes the film more original and gives it a 1800's feel while adding some entertainment value. Nothing is shown in graphic detail but everything H.H Holmes is explained. The man killed children, suffocated nurses, was a family man/ polygamists.
It was also interesting to learn that H.H. Holmes was inspired by the crimes of Jack the Ripper. Jack the Ripper made headlines while
H.H Holmes was just getting started and Holmes would go out of his way to shock Americans by serving a more demented kind of brutality to the states.
There are many things I can discuss but since this is a documentary I will let the reader get all the information their selves. There are moments of foreshadowing while Holmes watches a man hung during an early stint in prison. Still the he kept his criminal side quiet and know one expected a wealthy and attractive man to be such a monster. The fact that a lot of his victims were tourists from a popular fair in Chicago made it easy for him not to get caught. Future victims would here about the amazing architecture and unwisely decide to visit the castle only to never come back.
There is an insurance scam involving a man named Ben Pitezel that was supposed to benefit Holmes and Pitezel. Pitezel also convinces his wife to take part in the scam. They also were partners in crimes and the filmmakers do a fantastic job describing there turbulent friendship.
Personally I found "H.H Holmes" a better watch than the equally impressive "Albert Fish". I found his swindling ways and blatant
thievery to be hilarious but his evil ways to be disgusting and twisted. The subjects John Borowski picks are early Serial Killers and I guarantee he is the best at making this kind of film. H.H Holmes would easily be shown on Court TV or A&E unlike "Albert Fish" because of the perverse language and cannibal reenactments. Those with a morbid curiosity may enjoy "Albert Fish" more than H.H Holmes but I dug this one because the man was such a swindler. He was a very intelligent criminal that could both rip people off and set up schemes to his advantage. The castle first floor had businesses that made a good front, the third floor was innocent and just had offices and Holmes bedroom. The second floor had 35 rooms, many designed to be torture chambers but the basement was an had an insane amount of life ending tools.
There is a lot to cover when watching a film this detailed so I urge you to find out for yourself and pick this up at www.hhholmesthefilm.com or www.johnborowski.com. For those interested in Serial Killers this is a must die and many experts delve into the facts and explain everything to the viewer. The narration makes the story easy to follow and the direction style of dramatizations, still pictures and newspaper clippings offer me more education than any school ever did for me on a single subject. Borowski can use his directing skills to make many documentaries on subjects other than serial killers. Its sad Tony Jay is no longer with us because he enhances the film with his captivating voice that gave the movie a pleasant rhythm. Even fans of court dramas will get something out of this film once H.H Holmes fires his council. The film is entertaining, sad and ultimately interesting when trying to understand sociopaths, especially ones with education and financial success.
The DVD features a 20 minute making of documentary, outtakes, trailers, Commentary with John Borowski and much more! Pick this one up because it's educational, creepy and well made.
Rating - ***1/2
-Russ Rutter
