Hello again Mythos fans, this go around we’re going to have a look at what would have been a neoteric invention in Lovecraft’s time: moving picture films.
While much of the uneasiness and horror that Mythos writing evokes is due to the unknown, the reader’s imagination, and lack knowledge or understanding of what is going on humans are very visual creatures. It only makes sense that at some point in the history of film that we would try and capture Lovecraft’s writing visually. There have been many attempts to create films based on his work and we’ll only go over a few this time, so if your favorite isn’t listed don’t fret! We’ll have a part 2 in the future.
Find something amazing we haven’t posted? Drop a line to Simeon and put Unspeakable! in the title.
- Our first two entries are short films inspired by Innsmouth and are considered a pair (original and sequel). The first is titled “The Deep Ones” and was written by Simo Paulakoski.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcEGuTKdVOU - The sequel is “The Deep End” and was written by Daniel Johansson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RITrBudjOE - For anyone who like B-movies and horror movies, the next entry should be familiar to you. And if it isn’t, add it to your watch list now! Of course I’m talking about the 1985 cult classic Re-Animator. The movie is based loosely on the story “Herbert West-Reanimator” and spawned several sequels that unfortunately never really lived up to the first. James Rolfe of Cinemassacre did a short review during a previous Monster Madness.
- My favorite by far, and in my opinion the most well done, has to be the 2005 silent film (yes, that’s right, 2005) The Call of Cthulhu. It is a brilliant throw back to old black and white silent films, from the music to the sound effects, make-up, and dialog cards it is masterfully done. You can even still buy the DVD from their website. Until then, you’ll have to make due with the trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKb0_rfZEsU
Until next time, stay sane.