"Masters of Horror" Haeckel's Tale (2006)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

John McNaughton

Writers:

Mick Garris (creator)
Mick Garris (teleplay) ...

TV Series:

"Masters of Horror" (2005)

Original Air Date:

27 January 2006 (Season 1, Episode 12)

Genre:

Horror

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Necromancer | Cemetery | Sex With The Dead | Storytelling | Decay

Cast

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

Runtime:

59 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:TV-MA | Germany:18 | Argentina:16 | Italy:VM14

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

British Columbia Production Tax Credit

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.

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Haeckel: Portrait of a Serial Necromancer

Having directed the one classic horror milestone "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" apparently was enough to include John McNaughton in the whole Masters of Horror project. This was originally meant to become George A. 'father of all zombie movies' Romero's episode, but McNaughton does a great job and the opening credits still refer to Romero as being some kind of inspiration source. That's cool. And it only gets better, as the writer of "Haeckel's Tale" is no less than Clive Barker; creator of such brilliant genre efforts like "Hellraiser" and "Candyman". So, is this really one the best entries of the entire first season? Well it's not in the top 3 but, yes, it is another very solid and worthwhile horror adventure with a neat Gothic atmosphere and a handful of genuine shocks. The script lacks a bit of structure and continuity but overall it's compelling and refers to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein quite often. The mini-movie opens with a little wraparound story about a young man that requests the help of an elderly witch to bring back his beloved bride from the dead. The witch wants to help him but warns him about the dangers of necromancy by telling the tale of Ernst Heackel... He was a talented and obnoxious young scientist, on his way home to visit his ill father, until he made acquaintance with a bizarre couple in the woods. Raising the dead was an important part of their lives every night and that had terrible consequences for Mr. Haeckel. This tale is a strange combination of stylish Gothic thrills, morbid science, Fulci-esquire zombie splatter and sleazy sex scenes. The film is occasionally scary, but at other times very humorous and truly eccentric. For a good half hour, you have no real idea where the story is going! It initially looks like Haeckel is another amateur-Frankenstein and his obsession with science will drive him one step too far, but then suddenly he becomes the victim in a dark world of black magic and the occult. The make-up effects are terrific and especially the supportive characters of the film are highly memorable. Notably the always-reliable Jon Polito and the breathtaking young actress Leela Savasta. Another very recommended Masters of Horror episode.