Set in the European village of Vandork, The Gorgon opens with a young painter named Bruno learning that his model/lover, Sascha, is pregnant. When Bruno storms out to discuss his intentions with Sascha's father, she follows him. Weaving through the woods on a bright moon-lit night, Sascha passes near Castle Borski where she sees something horrifying--even as she screams, she cannot refrain from looking at it.
The next day, Dr. Namaroff (Peter Cushing) of the Vandorf Medical Institution prepares to examine Sascha's body. As the sheet-covered corpse is wheeled into the laboratory, a gray-colored hand brushes against an iron basket--and a finger breaks off like a piece of plaster.
Hands turn to stone as a dying victim writtes a letter of warning. |
Fisher's use of shadows contributes much to the film's eeriness. |
If there's a connection to Fisher's earlier work (he's considered an auteur in France), it's a pervading sense of gloom. No character is safe and it quickly becomes evident that there's a strong likelihood of a downbeat ending. In Fisher's films, the heroes sometimes perish or, if they survive, they are scarred by their experiences. It's no surprise that Victor Frankenstein, the "hero" of Hammer's Frankenstein films--most of which were directed by Fisher--is also a villain.
Barbara Shelley as Carla...is she the Gorgon? |
John Gilling, a Hammer veteran, penned the screenplay from a short story by J. Llewellyn Devine. He claimed his original screenplay was altered by producer Anthony Hinds. Even so, what remains is an above-average script with one puzzling part. The three Gorgon sisters are identified as Medusa, Magaera, and Tisiphone. However, in Greek mythology, Medusa is the only one of that trio who is a gorgon; Magaera and Tisiphone were two of the three Furies (or Erinyes), whose heads were also adorned with serpents.
Magaera, when she is shown in The Gorgon, looks less than impressive. Fortunately, her appearances are few and do not detract from the film. For while it may not rank with Hammer's finest horrors, such as Brides of Dracula, The Gorgon is a sharp little film that relies on mood and a sense of dread to create a memorable viewing experience.
Great post, Rick, and one of your best. I think THE GORGON is one of the underrated Hammer films. With Fisher as director and Cushing and Shelley as stars, it'd be difficult to not make a terrific movie. But as you suggested, it's wonderfully atmospheric and, I think, often spooky. You mention this, but one of my favorite sequences is when Magaera is slightly visible in a reflection; I agree that, when shown, she's a little disappointing, but when Fisher merely hints at her presence, it's quite effective.
ReplyDeleteI often associate this film with another Hammer production, THE REPTILE. It's partly because I saw them together, but also because they're both well made chillers that many viewers, even Hammer fans, unfairly dismiss. But they (like most Hammer films) deserve respect and multiple viewings.
Like you and Sark, I am a big Hammer fan. I'm tickled to see you do a good review on The Gorgon because it happens to be my favorite, even of all the wonderful films Hammer made. I'm not sure exactly why, but your description has hit on most of the points that attract me to it -- the atmosphere, shadows, sense of doom. When the unfortunate father begins to turn to stone, it is really chilling. I felt that the music and vocals gave a strong sense of the impending doom.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that the actual clear and close-up Gorgon face and snake hair were pretty cheesy and should have been left in half-shadow. I remember reading somewhere that they were going to try to weave real snakes into Shelley's hair, but it didn't work and she was too pretty anyway. So they hired another actress -- poor thing, how awful to be hired because you are ugly enough to play the Gorgon!
You have a good point about saying that Magaera was not actually a gorgon, but a Fury. I suppose they figured people would have instant recognition of the name Gorgon rather than Fury. Whatever they called it, I just loved it! Great post, Rick!
I don't know why but I find myself humming that song "Turned to Stone." "The Gorgon" is a classic and very atmospheric Hammer entry. I thought it was odd that they chose to call this character Magaera, rather than Medusa, too. In mythology, the Furies are three sisters who seek vengeance, and are sometimes depicted with snakes on their heads. If Magaera was motivated by retribution for infidelity, perhaps that is what sparked the deaths of Sascha and Bruno (who were not married.) This is probably a stretch but it is an attempt to explain the name choice.
ReplyDeleteThe well-shadowed settings add an abundance of atmosphere. The place with the stone steps and pillars where Magaera walks seems to suggest all three sisters and the destiny of those upon whom they gaze.
Great post, Rick, and I really liked the comments posted by Sark and Becky, too.
Oh, Rick, you and these Hammer films! I feel totally out of the loop, having not seen many of this studio's films. I don't know that this is my type of film, but I enjoyed reading your review.
ReplyDeleteNice review with great description! Now I have another horror movie I want to see. You and the Cafe are giving me an education ... :)
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