The film opens with a fantastically drawn out murder attempt before settling into a slower pace. The film is set in an appropriately creep castle turned asylum where rich husbands leave their wives when they start acting up. Klaus Kinski is one of the doctors who treats the patients in very peculiar ways, getting deeply involved with one.
The failed murder attempt from the film's opening gets almost forgotten about as the film spends 50 minutes introducing us to a wide array of beautiful women who all seem to be suffering from the same mental state that causes them to writhe around naked. This is an exploitation film through and through regardless of the Hammer makeover. The film include one extremely graphic sex scene but goes easy on the blood.
Once the murder returns, the film picks up the pace and the whodunnit aspect of the plot gets more attention. As a result the second half is far more exciting if absent some of the lusty scenes of some of the most gorgeous women ever put on camera. These early erotic scenes give the film an atmosphere that is intoxicating and as the film moves to its end, it becomes less unique.
In the end, Slaughter Hotel is a bit of a mixed bag. While I enjoyed many aspects of it, the film's pacing really hinders the film from ever creating a sense of suspense. While it is always good to see Kinski, he is kept on a short leash here and doesn't get to play crazy like one might hope. Di Leo is a talented director and the film is gorgeous to look at but horror is not his strong suit and it shows.
Raro Video have given the film a fine transfer. The film hardly looks its age with the colors popping brightly. The film is truly easy on the eyes in all respects. The Blu-ray features two featurettes and deleted scenes.
3.5/5
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