Hammer took a break from the Dracula and Frankenstein movies to focus on the Gorgon character, a witch with snakes as hair, her face turning those that look at her into stone. Seven victims in the forest near the village of Vandorf have fallen victim to the Gorgon, but Dr. Namaroff (Peter Cushing) and the police (specifically Inspector Kanof played by the second timelord, Patrick Troughton of Dr. Who fame) have concealed her crimes—the question is why? When a painter is found hung after the death of his girlfriend, Namaroff will have a hard time keeping a lid on the Gorgon any longer. Professor Jules Heitz (Michael Goodliffe) pursues justice for his son, considered the one responsible for his girlfriend's murder (she was in fact turned to stone), found hung from a tree, and also falls prey to the Gorgon. Before he succumbs fully to the stone affliction of the Gorgon, Jules gets a letter to his son Paul (Richard Pasco), informing him of Vandorf's corruption and this instigates an investigation which could once and for all uncover who houses the evil witch's spirit that comes to life at the fullness of the moon. The ruins of Castle Borski is the location where the Gorgon spirit Magera seems to frequent. Paul is a student of Professor Karl Meister (Christopher Lee), and needs his mentor's help after an encounter with the Gorgon. Paul is in love with a nurse of Namaroff's, Carla Hoffman (Barbara Shelley), which produces further complications. Karl and Paul know that Namaroff is hiding something, but he will not cooperate with their investigation of the Gorgon—but what is he hiding and why? I have to admit that this film is more fun before the Gorgon is actually revealed (she is pretty cheesy, I must confess), when the face of this creature is obscured and we see frightened faces of those unfortunates who look at her (I think the acting does really sell how horrific she looks, but Hammer couldn't cheat their audience without at least showing Magera at the end, now could they?), especially as characters like Paul go looking around the ruins of Castle Borski. Lee is particularly fun as the formidable Meister who doesn't tolerate the same sort of bullying tactics that Paul's father did by the citizens and police. Determined to find an answer to who the Gorgon is and what Namaroff is keeping secret, Meister is needed because Paul becomes misguided by his love for Carla (Namaroff is also in love with Carla). Cushing has a complex character in this film, so in love with Carla that he could be contributing to the murders instead of stopping them. The ending is quite tragic as Paul pays a heavy price for his love of Carla (as does Namaroff), with Lee saving the day. With the sinister ruins of the castle and plenty of atmosphere to spare, I think "The Gorgon" is a nice little sleeper worthy of discovery for Hammer fans.
Review of The Gorgon
