samxxxul Review of Schalcken the Painter

Schalcken the Painter (1979 TV Movie)

"Rest to the wakeful, sleep to the sleepwalkers"

[8/10 · 23 October 2020]

Nearly every scene in Leslie Megahey's 'Schalcken the Painter' can be frozen in time, mounted on canvas, and hung on a wall for display. That's the feeling it evokes, from the cinematography to the story with eerie soundtrack. The film is based on the 1839 story Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter by Sheridan Le Fanu, who also wrote one of the great vampire short stories, Carmilla. There's nothing special in the storyline, nor is there your traditional horror, but the atmosphere of this film is more than enough to propel the story into something truly special and morbid. The narration is beautifully executed, and the slow pace of the film keeps you drawn in. The use of dialogue is very limited, but what is chosen has so much power and draw. The emotions felt throughout are powerful which is supported by great soundtrack. Though the pacing is slow, it is necessary to achieve the hypnotic atmosphere of the film which is essential to the period and plot. And for that, it's perfectly okay to be lost inside 'Schalcken the Painter'. Do remember to set the volume at a good level and just let the visuals, soundscape and montage guide you through varying states of the narrative. I highly recommend it to folk/gothic horror fans and i feel this deserves to be seen by many. Overall, this movie is a hypnotic mood piece, a feast for the eyes with great soundtrack. Highly recommended.