Horror cinema has evolved immensely over the years. New studios and filmmakers are constantly being introduced to the genre, which now seems over-saturated with zombie flicks, found footage shaky cams, and remake after remake after remake. Gone are the days of the most original ideas and the studios that provided them. Thank goodness for the newly remastered versions of said films like Terrence Fisher’s Hammer Films classic, The Gorgon.
A sudden murder case in a small European village sets off an investigation into what is thought to be the cause — a mythological creature. Has the soul of the Gorgon, Megaira, truly returned to turn her victims to stone?
I don’t believe I’ve ever watched a Hammer Films production that I didn’t enjoy. While they all share the same traits — superb acting, great set pieces, creative storylines — they all still manage to keep me enthralled the entire time. Terrence Fisher’s The Gorgon is no different.
Like all other Hammer Films, The Gorgon was filmed in England and features an entirely English cast. Richard Pasco, Barbara Shelley, and Michael Goodliffe, alongside horror film legends, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee all do an amazing job at portraying their respective characters. Though not rare (the two have starred alongside one another in a countless number of films), it is always a treat to see Lee and Cushing on screen together. No matter what character they are playing, and they’ve played a lot of different ones, they perform remarkably and steal the show.
The Gothic style of these old Hammer Films with their eerie lighting and effectively dark scores is yet to be matched, even to this day. No Hammer film is ever gory or overly bloody, yet they manage to still get the job done, proving that it doesn’t take pure shock value to be an effective horror movie.
In addition to my love of horror, I also have an infatuation with anything relating to ancient mythology, especially that of Greek mythos. The fact that not only does The Gorgon combine both of these loves together, but also does so without using arguably the most popular of the Gorgon sisters, Medusa, as the main subject brings me even more joy. I wish there were more filmmakers out there taking their source material from old stories dealing with either Greek or Roman mythology; There are tons of tales to choose from, any of which have the potential to be rather haunting, if done correctly.
Fisher’s The Gorgon has recently been released on Blu-ray disc as a double feature. Coupled with The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll, this Hammer Films Double Feature looks and sounds amazing. The video quality is beyond impressive, in turn making the film itself look as if it was produced within the last couple of years. Sadly, there are no extra features accompanying either film in this set, but just seeing them in their newly remastered HD glory is enough for me.
Be sure to pick up a copy on Blu-ray from Mill Creek Entertainment today!
I give this Hammer Film Double Feature Volume One set and The Gorgon 4.5 snake heads out of 5.
