Masters of Horror: Haeckel's Tale [DVD] [2006] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

So in loving all the rest of the Masters of horror movies, and being a HUGE fan of clive barkers... this was a pretty easy decision to pick this up. I had no idea what to expect, not seeing a trailer for it anywhere and only going off of the artwork and premise from the dvd. But this adaption of a Clive Barker story tells the tale of a man who visits an old woman who is told to be able to bring the dead to life. She convinces the man that if he still wants his wife back at the end of her story, she will do just that. Then the story begins...

It concerns a man named Ernst Haeckel who (very similiar to Frankenstein) beleives that God has no part in death and that he can make the dead rise. In failing numerous times, he hears of a man who can make the dead rise through black magic.. a necromancer. He visits this man and still not convinced, visits him again to confront him of his power. This does not go over well, and he is left to his own devices.

After receiving news of his fathers illness, Heackel leaves to see him.. on his way he is brought in by an old man and his young wife. The wife is very beautiful and the man is in his 60's. Soemthing does not seem right and then the wife in the middle of the night leaves towards the "necropolis" to meet up with the necromancer whom her husband paid to have her dead husband brought back to her.

Without spoiling too much of it, I'll just say this... you wont know what hit you in the end and if you enjoy a good zombie movie, then this one might be up your alley. George A. Romero also was involved in the making of this film if that tells you anything.

All in all, I enjoy period pieces and Frankenstein is one of my all time favorite classic movies. I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed both Clives stories and the MOH series. The only thing that I found not to my liking was the end was a little creepy-sappy, but once you see it... you'll know what I mean.

enjoy!

Based on a Clive Barker story and originally slated to be directed by George Romero, Haeckel's Tale ended up being helmed by Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer director John McNaughton, and you may not even know the difference upon viewing. Haeckel's Tale revolves around a nineteenth century medical student (Derek Cecil) who aims to learn a way of re-animating the dead before embarking on a trip to visit his terminally ill father. His journey leads him to encounter a necromancer (Jon Polito) and a couple (Tom McBeath and the gorgeous Leela Savasta); all of whom share a horrible secret that you will have to see to believe. Haeckel's Tale is a nasty, sexy, and bloody affair to be sure, and combined with the hammy performances and dynamite ending, ranks as one of the best episodes of Masters of Horror. All in all, Haeckel's Tale is an inventive treat that definitely deserves a look if you're a zombie fan, even if Masters of Horror isn't usually your thing.

Haeckle's Tale has an impressive pedigree behind it. Clive Barker is one of the horror gods, a twisted mind that has brought us a 1000 dark horrors including Hellraiser and Nightbreed. He also wrote the Books of Blood, check those out for a scary read. However, John McNaughton is responsible for `gems' like Wild Things (yuck!). Unfortunately, it is his influence that is felt more than Barker's.

What you're left with is Haeckle's Tale about a young doctor, overly influenced by Frankenstein, who wants to bring the dead back to life. Frustrated by attempts using science that fail, he instead finds himself trapped in the realm of necromancy. The movie could have been good had it perused this path, but instead it took a left turn at Albuquerque, as Bugs Bunny would say.

From there, it jumps to soft core zombie porn, almost as if this movie was made with the premise of "Let's through together a little quick plot and then have a really hot actress have sex with a zombie or two". The framing sequence makes no sense, especially one at the end.

I love Masters of Horror, but this is one of the most disappointing. Instead of wasting your money on this, get Fair Haired Child instead, which is the best of the series. Buy Haeckle's Tale only if you're completing your set, but don't expect to be scared or overly entertained.

Recommended for completists only.