House of 1000 Corpses
In 2003, Rob Zombie wrote and directed House of 1000 Corpses, a film about four young adults who end up off the beaten path and in the house of an evil, murderous family. The film takes place in a small, run down rural town during the 1970s. In the director’s commentary, Zombie describes his motion picture as a “70s exploitation horror film.”(House of 1000 Corpses.) He also mentions that he was inspired by the alleged Manson family home videos. He makes subtle parallels between the Firefly family and the Manson family, and he effectively utilizes the mise-en-scene to incorporate his inspiration into the film. Rob Zombie’s fame is due to his music, and the film’s score is an important contrivance used to complement the theme, that there is hell on Earth and the house is the gateway. The actual lyrics to the songs played throughout the film suggest, and even sometimes foreshadow, the fate of anyone who enters the house. House of 1000 Corpses uses the mise-en-scene elements of setting, costumes, and film score, and the director uses Manson family references, in the “I Remember You” and “Run, Rabbit, Run” scenes, to stress the theme of the film.
The Manson family home videos and the killings in the LaBianca murders inspired the mise-en-scene in the “I Remember You” scene. In my research I found that the events leading up to the murders have been told in different variations. Susan Atkins and Charles “Tex” Watson have written their accounts of the incident nonetheless, the facts cannot be construed (Hoekstra.) The director has never actually been quoted saying that their versions of what happened leading up to the murders was an inspiration however, there are several instances in his film that are taken directly from the crime scene. The LaBianca’s were found naked, and tied up in their home brutally murdered. LaBianca’s wife was stabbed 41 times. Her blood was used to write “Rise” and “Death to pigs” on the walls, and one of the killers carved “War” on
The Manson family home videos and the killings in the LaBianca murders inspired the mise-en-scene in the “I Remember You” scene. In my research I found that the events leading up to the murders have been told in different variations. Susan Atkins and Charles “Tex” Watson have written their accounts of the incident nonetheless, the facts cannot be construed (Hoekstra.) The director has never actually been quoted saying that their versions of what happened leading up to the murders was an inspiration however, there are several instances in his film that are taken directly from the crime scene. The LaBianca’s were found naked, and tied up in their home brutally murdered. LaBianca’s wife was stabbed 41 times. Her blood was used to write “Rise” and “Death to pigs” on the walls, and one of the killers carved “War” on
Cited: Atkins, Susan Denise. "Susan Atkin 's Story of 2 Nights of Murder." Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles] 14 Dec. 1969. Http://www.cielodrive.com. 22 June 2012 . Baughman, Rhonda. "Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers ' Network." Suite101.com. 1 Mar. 2010. 22 June 2012 . Hoekstra, Ray. "Chapter 15 Helter Skelter II (August 9-10) :: Will You Die For Me?" Chapter 15 Helter Skelter II (August 9-10) :: Will You Die For Me? 1997. Cross Roads Publications. 22 June 2012 . House of 1000 Corpses. Dir. Rob Zombie. Lions Gate Films, 2003. DVD. Jacobs, W. W. The Monkey 's Paw. Mankato, MN: Creative Education, 1986. Print. Ulmer, Gary (Summer 2003), "Interview with the Zombie", Dark Realms Magazine issue 11: 14–16 Whitman, Slim. “S T Lyrics.” StLyrics.com. 2003. 22 June 2012 http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/s/slimwhitman9754/irememberyou321794.html#.T-da0o6WF5g Zombie, Rob. "A-Z Lyrics Universe." A-Z Lyrics Universe. 2003. 22 June 2012 .