Dementia 13

At the heart of this story is the tragic death of a little girl named Kathleen. Each year on the anniversary of her death, the grieving mother and her sons reenact the funeral service, which culminates in the mother's collapse. This particular year, two unwelcome guests reside in the family's ancient Irish castle, the greedy wife of the eldest son (who is unable to be there for reasons made quite obvious at the beginning of the movie) and the fiancé of another son. As individuals begin to mysteriously disappear from the castle grounds, almost everyone in the family becomes a potential suspect. The family doctor is yet another person to keep your eye on, as his behavior is questionable and suspicious at times. The deceased child Kathleen does haunt the family in a sense, and her appearance to an individual marks that person for certain axe-related death. I found this movie more and more compelling at it went along, and I quite enjoyed trying to figure out exactly who the killer actually was. The pace of the story was aided greatly by very effective background music, and Coppola definitely displayed the type of talent that would blossom into directorial greatness in his later career. If you enjoy a good who-dunnit movie, you will almost certainly get a big kick out of Dementia 13.


One of the 5 greatest movies ever made.   December 30, 2002
Dated, but still great.


A Complete Shock! This Movie Really Is Good!   April 25, 2003
M. Waters (Maryland)
I happened across this film by accident when I decided to buy "Night of the Living Dead." "Dementia 13" was the second film on the DVD that contained both films. So I decided to check it out thinking that it would be just another b-movie with bad acting and stupid horror gags. I did notice, however, that Francis Ford Coppola directed this film, so my interest was piqued.

What I discovered is a truly good film! "Dementia 13" revolves around a family in Ireland and the matriarch's odd obsession with her deceased daughter who accidently drowned 7 years prior. Before you know it, people mysteriously start disappearing.

I feel that this is a good film because it keeps you guessing right up until the end. You think you know who the killer is and then a twist occurs and you end up questioning your entire theory. I should have known that a film by Francis Ford Coppola, even one like this, would not disappoint.

I would highly suggest watching this film. It is not only interesting, but also suspenseful and chilling!!!!!


Even great directors have to be born   June 15, 2007
Jacques COULARDEAU (OLLIERGUES France)
A rather simple and short film by a young director. In black and white of course because it is cheaper, but also because it is very classic in that kind of psychological thriller. Hitchcock did it with Psycho, why not Coppola then? Basically it is the guilt that develops and is cultivated in a family when some unacknowledged, unrecognized and unknown children's game turns sour, that is to say ends up with a dead child. The point is that the situation lacks originality and what's more the cause of the death is even trite, drowning. The most interesting part is the study of the mother as a family tyrant that imposes some kind of eternal remembering of the dead sister. That puts everyone on edge, on the defensive, hence on the side of hiding what should not be hidden because it creates a sick atmosphere that leads everyone to some kind of psychosis if not schizophrenia. Then the film has some shortcomings, such as the inheritance and the mother's will, or whatever that disavows the daughters in law who are treated as so many strangers. Then what is the deal with the first son, the one who has a heart condition? How long can it be hidden that he is not in New York but at the bottom of a lake? But it is worth watching because we can witness the birth of a great film director in these black and white frames.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine & University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne




Francis Ford Coppola debut film is one of his best.   August 8, 2000
Rickie Burney (Tampa, Florida United States)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Francis Ford Coppola is a very famous and successful director. Normally, the first films are normally the worst and don't appeal people because they are amateurs. This film was a surprise to me. It had all the elements of a good horror film. Blood and gory violence and bone chilling suspense.

The story seems simple, but it is sort of complicated. It is about a woman whose husband has a fatal heart attack. She then arrives at the doorstep of his family's large estate. For some reason, she feels that something is not right about the family. It seems as if they are hiding something.

Soon, her suspicions are higher when an axe murderer begins to mutilate them one by one. As she gets closer to the truth, the body count rises and the killer gets closer and closer to her.

The acting is outstanding and it keeps your heart pounding until the hair raising climax. I would recommend this for anyone who wants a gory chiller.