Welcome to October and the official start to the Halloween season of 2013! What better way to begin the season than with a little story about a witch? H.P. Lovecraft's Dreams in the Witch House is the inspiration for this episode of Masters of Horror of the same name. Lovecraft and his creepy mythos, psychological horror, and atmospheric settings, embody the spirit of Halloween. Stuart Gordon, an influential and well-versed director in Lovecraft adaptions, heads this small project that translates Lovecraft's original work into a vibrant and eerie presentation on film. A haunted house, a demonic witch, and plunge into insanity make this a fitting entry for this Halloween season.
The story opens in the classical Gothic style. A young college student, Walter Gilman, moves into an old run-down house. He is soon haunted by the dark and murderous entities who hide between the shadows. Using his college thesis studies about dimensional breaks he soon finds out that there used to be a witch who inhabited the house and she is using these breaks in the dimension to step through and cause havoc on those living there. Just like any witch story, the old hag lusts for the blood of children and will use Walter to get what she wants.
Usually in Lovecraft's works we are left at the end wondering if the narrator was simply insane or if these horrible things were actually happening. Stuart Gordon makes it more apparent that the events are true. This works in favor of this film and makes it all the more creepy. I admire this film, and most of Stuart Gordon's adaptions, in capturing the integral meaning and themes of H.P. Lovecraft's work. I feel the same tension and horror during the film that I felt when I originally read the story. It is perfect in using music, setting, and lighting to create a mood that suits the dark universe.
The story opens in the classical Gothic style. A young college student, Walter Gilman, moves into an old run-down house. He is soon haunted by the dark and murderous entities who hide between the shadows. Using his college thesis studies about dimensional breaks he soon finds out that there used to be a witch who inhabited the house and she is using these breaks in the dimension to step through and cause havoc on those living there. Just like any witch story, the old hag lusts for the blood of children and will use Walter to get what she wants.
Usually in Lovecraft's works we are left at the end wondering if the narrator was simply insane or if these horrible things were actually happening. Stuart Gordon makes it more apparent that the events are true. This works in favor of this film and makes it all the more creepy. I admire this film, and most of Stuart Gordon's adaptions, in capturing the integral meaning and themes of H.P. Lovecraft's work. I feel the same tension and horror during the film that I felt when I originally read the story. It is perfect in using music, setting, and lighting to create a mood that suits the dark universe.
I feel like Stuart Gordon strives for art in his film. He takes each shot into consideration as a artistic piece in itself. He balances horror and humor, creeping terror and visceral gore, for just the right flavor. By doing these things he serves, in the short period of an hour on TV, a delicious slice of Lovecraftian pie.
Because it's TV, however, the effects sometimes look a little ridiculous or fake. This isn't largely distracting but it is apparent when a work had to rely on a smaller budget and time contratints. I easily forgive this because I often watch low-budget films and recognize them for what they are. Often low-budget cinema shines brighter from the dust than many of the poorly constructed big-budget films on the market. This short film is a gem among stones.
Because it's TV, however, the effects sometimes look a little ridiculous or fake. This isn't largely distracting but it is apparent when a work had to rely on a smaller budget and time contratints. I easily forgive this because I often watch low-budget films and recognize them for what they are. Often low-budget cinema shines brighter from the dust than many of the poorly constructed big-budget films on the market. This short film is a gem among stones.
Summing it Up
This is my favorite episode from the Masters of Horror series and Halloween is always a perfect time to watch it again. It captures the essence of Lovecraft despite a low-budget and restricted running time. You don't need a gold mine to make a entertaining horror flick. So if your looking for a shorter simpler horror film for Halloween this year try out this little film. It is a reasonably cheap price for the DVD and an easy pick for Halloween.
Deaths: 3
Language: 4
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 4
Scare Factor: 4
Fun Factor: 5
Overall Rating: 4
Deaths: 3
Language: 4
Gore Factor: 3
Sex Factor: 4
Scare Factor: 4
Fun Factor: 5
Overall Rating: 4