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NECRONOMICON
An H.P. Lovecraft inspired anthology film. It’s far from great, but does contain a wealth of stunningly grotesque imagery.
The Package
In the wake of RE-ANIMATOR (1985), a flood of straight to video H.P.
Lovecraft films were produced: H.P LOVECRAFT’S THE UNNAMABLE (1988), H.P.
LOVECRAFT’S LURKING FEAR (1994) and NECROMONICON--or, as it’s known on video,
H.P. LOVECRAFT’S NECRONOMICON--from 1993 (though for some reason it wasn’t
released in the US until four years later). NECRONOMICON’S three segments were
apparently inspired by the Lovecraft stories “The Rats In The Walls,” “Cool Air”
and “The Whisperer In The Darkness,” as well as the “Necronomicon” itself,
Lovecraft’s infamous hoax book, but it’s a mite difficult to tell, as the film
emphasizes special effects--by the likes of
Screaming Mad George, Todd Masters
and the legendary Tom Savini--at the expense of everything else.
Outside the FX experts, the behind-the-camera talent is surprisingly
impressive. Producer/director Brian Yuzna, who helmed NECRONOMICON’S wraparound
and third segment, has become a prolific and essential backer (and sometime
director) of horror movies ever since producing RE-ANIMATOR. Christophe Gans,
who directed part one, went on to helm CRYING FREEMAN (1995) and the
international smash BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF (2001). Shusuke Kaneko, helmer of
part two, made the acclaimed films SUMMER VACATION 1999 (1988) and MY SOUL IS
SLASHED (1991). Add to that sharp performers like Belinda Bauer, David Warner,
Jeffrey Combs, Dennis Christopher and Richard Lynch, and, well...you’ve got a
film that should be far better than it is!
The Story
This three-part concoction is held together by a wraparound story entitled
“The Library,” which finds H.P. Lovecraft himself (as played by Jeffrey Combs)
unearthing the ancient tome The Necronomicon, which provides the impetus for the
following tales:
In “The Drowned” a man moves into an inherited hotel. Utilizing black
magic (and repeating Lovecraft’s famous line “That which is not dead can
eternal lie, and with strange eons hence even death may die...”) he
resurrects a lost love, only to discover that the woman is actually the demon
god Cthulhu in disguise.
“The Cold” finds a reporter interviewing a woman who tells the story of her
nutty family who’ve discovered the secret of eternal life. Unfortunately, the
secret turned out to be too much for them to handle and all ended up killing one
another...while the present day reporter discovers, too late, that he’s destined
to be the latest victim.
“Whispers” has a female cop pursuing a shadowy killer through a seemingly
deserted wear house that turns out to be inhabited by a mysterious alien
race...who plan to use the woman as a breeder.
The Direction
After the Christophe Gans-helmed part one, I was hoping the subsequent
episodes would be better—as it turns out, however, Gans’ episode is actually the
best of the bunch! Although ultimately under whelming, it’s at least
atmospheric, and concludes with the awe-inspiring sight of the demon god Cthulhu
in all his slimy gory.
Part two is the lamest of the films’ segments, with its by-the-numbers
filmmaking that seems better suited to a TV movie.
Part three is of similar quality, although it climaxes with a diverting—if
excessively gratuitous and show-offy—special effects blow out. The wraparound
story ends in a similar fashion, with a toothy monster, a (literal) face-lift
and an ALIEN-esque face-hugger somehow making an appearance. Lovecraft must be
somersaulting in his grave...
Vital Statistics
NECRONOMICON (a.k.a. H.P. LOVECRAFT’S NECRONOMICON)
New Line Home Video
Directors: Brian Yuzna (Wraparound & Episode 3), Christophe Gans (Episode 1),
Shusuke Kaneko (Episode 2)
Producers: Brian Yuzna, Samuel Hadida
Screenplay: Brent V. Friedman/Brian Yuzna (Wraparound & Episode 3), Brent V.
Friedman/Christophe Gans (Episode 1), Brent V. Friedman/Kazunori Ito (Episode 2)
Cinematography: Gerry Lively, Russ Brandt (Episode 1)
Editor: Christopher Roth, Keith H. Sauter
Cast: Jeffrey Combs, Tony Azito, Juan Fernandez, Bruce Payne, Belinda Bauer,
Richard Lynch, Maria Ford, Peter Jasienski, Denice D. Lewis, William Jess
Russell, David Warner, Bess Meyer, Millie Perkins, Dennis Christopher, Gary
Graham, Curt Lowens, Signy Coleman, Obba Babatunde, Don Calfa, Judith Drake