Haeckel's Tale (27 Jan. 2006)

While on his way to see his sick father, a man takes shelter with an elderly man and his young wife but soon discovers their horrible secret.

Director:

John McNaughton

Writers:

Mick Garris (creator), Mick Garris (teleplay),

Stars:

Steve Bacic, Micki Maunsell, Gerard Plunkett

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Steve Bacic	...	John Ralston
Micki Maunsell	...	Miz Carnation
Gerard Plunkett	...	Dr. Hauser (as Gerrard Plunkett)
Derek Cecil	...	Ernst Haeckel
Pablo Coffey	...	Chester
Jon Polito	...	Montesquino
Warren Kimmel	...	Faron
Jill Morrison	...	Rachel
Elizabeth McQuade	...	Young Woman
Tom McBeath	...	Wolfram
Leela Savasta	...	Elise Wolfram
Christopher DeLisle	...	Elise's Dead Husband

Storyline

In the nineteen century, a man seeks help with a necromancer, asking her to revive his beloved wife. The woman advises him that the process could be dangerous, since she can bring the body back, but not necessarily the spirit and proposes him to listen to Haeckel's story to help in his decision. Ernst Haeckel is a cocky medical student fascinated with resuscitation. When the illness of his father becomes terminal, he travels to visit him and in his journey he meets the necromancer Montesquino, who claims to have the ability to bring the dead back to life. While preparing to spend the night nearby a cemetery, the old man Wolfram offers him shelter in his home, telling him that it would be very dangerous to stay near the necropolis. Haeckel accepts the invitation and meets his young wife Elise Wolfram. He feels seduced by the sexy woman, and sooner he finds her eternal love for her deceased husband.

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Plot Keywords:

necromancer | cemetery | medical student | topless female nudity | intestines | 

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 January 2006 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Columbia Production Tax Credit, IDT Entertainment, Industry Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

59 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

George A. Romero was originally going to direct, but couldn't fit it in his schedule. Then Roger Corman was approached to helm the episode, but health issues came up and he was then replaced by John McNaughton.

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Goofs

When Wolfram brings Haeckel to the cabin for the first time, it's clear that there are no other cabins next to it. However, when Haeckel walks to the cabin in the morning after waking up in the graveyard, there is now a big rustic cabin next to Wolfram and Elisa's cabin in the background.

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Soundtracks

"Hush, Little Baby"
(traditional)(uncredited)
Performed by Leela Savasta

User Reviews

Decent, but ...

... the more I start reading about this episode, the less I like it. First it's a short story from Barker, which makes the source material really really good and explains, why I liked the idea of the whole thing. Secondly, I read that this one was meant to be George A. Romeros episode (who had to cancel due to the work on one of his "Dead" movies) ... which makes me actually sad, because I would have loved to see, where Romero would've gone with it ... I'm pretty sure, it would have been less erotic, but therefor more dramatic!

Then the set design. While most Masters of Horror movies might have some problems with that particular area, it is even more apparent here, because of the "time" this is all unfolding. The cinematography is not up to task and the ending was ... "weird" to say the least. You knew, where this was going, but it seems like it's afraid to actually "punch" ...

The actors don't seem to be completely up to it and I felt, there was more to the story that could be told ...