Originally slated for George Romero's directorial whims--Haeckel's Tale--Based on a short story by Clive Barker--is a gruesome take revolving around necrophilia, necromancy, and of course Ernst Haeckel (Derek Cecil.)
The film journey begins by showing a man desperately in love with his deceased wife. So much so, that he pursues an old woman evidently capable of raising the dead. However, he finds that his request is not as easy as he'd hoped for and must entertain the tale of Haeckel, as orated by the old hag, before he makes a final decision about his lady six feet under.
The rationality of medicine & science drive Ernst Haeckel on his quest to prove reanimation is possible without God. That in fact, God is completely unnecessary in such matters. Needless to say, his pious peers are less than impressed when he sets a corpse on fire in his laboratory during a Dr. Frankenstein type experiment gone terribly amiss. Later on, Haeckel meets with the great necromancer: Montesquino. A sideshow act to some. Ernst thinks he's a charlatan, but is convinced otherwise via the help of his own senses and clamoring from the Wolfram's who let him stay at their house while en route to see his sick father. Which is another reason for Ernst's interest in necromancy... Not to mention his interest in Elise (Who the hell wouldn't be?) Anyhow, Elise is established as a necrophiliac who humps her dead husband in the graveyard surrounded by wandering corpses who join in on the orgy orchestrated by Montesquino. A ritual Haeckel & Mr. Wolfram will eventually partake in. After all, it's all about sex & death in the bloodied necropolis.
This is a cool film. From the excellent script, acting, costumes, photography...it's got everything you could want, really. Most of all it feels authentic. And oh yeah, the end is pretty creepy...
Mr. McNaughton, you've done well! I will definitely look into your oeuvre now, sir.
Leela Savasta! You're stunning... I want to see the remake of Black Christmas now. Heh.
The film journey begins by showing a man desperately in love with his deceased wife. So much so, that he pursues an old woman evidently capable of raising the dead. However, he finds that his request is not as easy as he'd hoped for and must entertain the tale of Haeckel, as orated by the old hag, before he makes a final decision about his lady six feet under.
The rationality of medicine & science drive Ernst Haeckel on his quest to prove reanimation is possible without God. That in fact, God is completely unnecessary in such matters. Needless to say, his pious peers are less than impressed when he sets a corpse on fire in his laboratory during a Dr. Frankenstein type experiment gone terribly amiss. Later on, Haeckel meets with the great necromancer: Montesquino. A sideshow act to some. Ernst thinks he's a charlatan, but is convinced otherwise via the help of his own senses and clamoring from the Wolfram's who let him stay at their house while en route to see his sick father. Which is another reason for Ernst's interest in necromancy... Not to mention his interest in Elise (Who the hell wouldn't be?) Anyhow, Elise is established as a necrophiliac who humps her dead husband in the graveyard surrounded by wandering corpses who join in on the orgy orchestrated by Montesquino. A ritual Haeckel & Mr. Wolfram will eventually partake in. After all, it's all about sex & death in the bloodied necropolis.
This is a cool film. From the excellent script, acting, costumes, photography...it's got everything you could want, really. Most of all it feels authentic. And oh yeah, the end is pretty creepy...
Mr. McNaughton, you've done well! I will definitely look into your oeuvre now, sir.
Leela Savasta! You're stunning... I want to see the remake of Black Christmas now. Heh.