This is one of Hammer's most atmospheric gothic horrors, if not THE most! It would be up there with Dracula if it wasn't for the ending! The look of this film is just amazing with rich, warm interiors and cold blue, violet exteriors. The story is good, if a bit predictable and lacking surprise, and has one of the most downbeat, cynical commentaries on star-crossed lovers. It's wonderful to see the role reversal for Peter Cushing as a sympathetic villain and Christopher Lee as the out and out hero of the piece. Christopher Lee browbeating everyone in sight is a delight to watch! Cushing and Lee's confrontation in the studio cottage is a highlight. This movie also has the most distinctive score by James Bernard with an awesomely chilling female voice solo as the gorgon's siren call! This film was parodied hilariously by Roman Polanski, an apparent Hammer fan, in his "Dance of the Vampires" with a twisted version of the gorgon's call. Concerning the ending, Barbara Shelley apparently was willing to play the part of the gorgon as well with real snakes in a wig on her head! No go because of time and money. Which was unfortunate because, as Christopher Lee has stated, "The only thing wrong with 'The Gorgon', is the gorgon."
My favorite of all the Hammer Dracula films; great backgrounds and spooky settings keep me coming back to watch this favorite again and again! First saw this as a young lad in Boston.....
A nice short novel that is avocative of which the period its set. As I read it I was remebering what my Grandparents told me making the ghost story seem more real.
Loved it. After each horrific moment it calms down back to earth keeping you on edge. The suspeceful tone keeps up all the way through until the ending when all hell breaks loose. There's an odd part with a strange device that read physic energy but Barbara Shelly pulls it off. Jullian Glover plays a good uptight Army man and I liked Andrew Keir plays Quatermass with more vunerality than I expected. It's also well directed, has great sets (with good lighting) and spooky sound design.
I really liked this film, it's fun to watch Christopher Lee steal the film by playing a horrible person that not only sleeps with jekyll's wife but asks him for money.
My favourite Hammer Film with my favourte Hammer star Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. The fact that the villian's mother is so protective of him makes it all the more creepy. My favourite scene is when the mother begs
I totaly agree with Sams Dad. These movies are truly magical. Why does'nt the BBC promote these fantastic films again like they did in the seventies and eighties, (perhaps by having a "hammer Season), just like the horror double bill series shown every Sat night during the summer holiday months. That is what got me hooked.Am I being selfish? or would the younger generation get the same kick out of the movies as I did. Its worth a try if you ask me.
akatanaka
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31 Jan 2013, 7:01am
This is one of Hammer's most atmospheric gothic horrors, if not THE most! It would be up there with Dracula if it wasn't for the ending! The look of this film is just amazing with rich, warm interiors and cold blue, violet exteriors. The story is good, if a bit predictable and lacking surprise, and has one of the most downbeat, cynical commentaries on star-crossed lovers. It's wonderful to see the role reversal for Peter Cushing as a sympathetic villain and Christopher Lee as the out and out hero of the piece. Christopher Lee browbeating everyone in sight is a delight to watch! Cushing and Lee's confrontation in the studio cottage is a highlight. This movie also has the most distinctive score by James Bernard with an awesomely chilling female voice solo as the gorgon's siren call! This film was parodied hilariously by Roman Polanski, an apparent Hammer fan, in his "Dance of the Vampires" with a twisted version of the gorgon's call. Concerning the ending, Barbara Shelley apparently was willing to play the part of the gorgon as well with real snakes in a wig on her head! No go because of time and money. Which was unfortunate because, as Christopher Lee has stated, "The only thing wrong with 'The Gorgon', is the gorgon."
Related to: The Gorgon (1964)
Sledgehammer
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31 Jan 2013, 1:15am
My favorite of all the Hammer Dracula films; great backgrounds and spooky settings keep me coming back to watch this favorite again and again! First saw this as a young lad in Boston.....
Related to: Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968)
Dargue
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27 Jan 2013, 10:58pm
A nice short novel that is avocative of which the period its set. As I read it I was remebering what my Grandparents told me making the ghost story seem more real.
Related to: The Greatcoat (2012)
Dargue
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27 Jan 2013, 10:52pm
After a strange begining it ends up being a chilling film that stayed in mind.
Related to: The Damned (1961)
Dargue
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27 Jan 2013, 10:45pm
Loved it. After each horrific moment it calms down back to earth keeping you on edge. The suspeceful tone keeps up all the way through until the ending when all hell breaks loose. There's an odd part with a strange device that read physic energy but Barbara Shelly pulls it off. Jullian Glover plays a good uptight Army man and I liked Andrew Keir plays Quatermass with more vunerality than I expected. It's also well directed, has great sets (with good lighting) and spooky sound design.
Related to: Quatermass And The Pit (1967)
Dargue
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27 Jan 2013, 10:34pm
I really liked this film, it's fun to watch Christopher Lee steal the film by playing a horrible person that not only sleeps with jekyll's wife but asks him for money.
Related to: The Two Faces Of Dr. Jekyll (1960)
Dargue
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27 Jan 2013, 10:32pm
to be killed
Related to: The Brides of Dracula (1960)
Dargue
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27 Jan 2013, 10:31pm
My favourite Hammer Film with my favourte Hammer star Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. The fact that the villian's mother is so protective of him makes it all the more creepy. My favourite scene is when the mother begs
Related to: The Brides of Dracula (1960)
inhotep
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21 Jan 2013, 11:28am
Has anybody seen this film?
Related to: The Ugly Duckling (1959)
burkey
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18 Jan 2013, 3:24pm
I totaly agree with Sams Dad. These movies are truly magical. Why does'nt the BBC promote these fantastic films again like they did in the seventies and eighties, (perhaps by having a "hammer Season), just like the horror double bill series shown every Sat night during the summer holiday months. That is what got me hooked.Am I being selfish? or would the younger generation get the same kick out of the movies as I did. Its worth a try if you ask me.
Related to: The Quiet Ones (2013)