Haeckel's Tale

Young Haeckel (Derek Cecil) wants to bring corpses back to life after studying the notes of German doctor Victor Frankenstein. He fails in his early attempts, and then sets out to discredit the necromancer Montesquino (Jon Polito, who co-starred with Cecil in "Push, Nevada") who can accomplish the task with magic rather than science.

We start with a short story written by Clive Barker, who has made himself a living legend by writing "Hellraiser", among other things. Add a "bookend" story from Mick Garris, and you have a film. Not surprisingly, the part from Garris is weaker than the Barker core, but it is hard to blame him for trying to make this story fit into a nice package.

George A. Romero was set to direct, but had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts. The opening credits still say this was "in association with" Romero, but his involvement seems minimal and what he added is unclear. Stepping into his shoes is John McNaughton, who had previously worked the horror scene with "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" and "The Borrower". (McNaughton may be a "master of horror", but he has never defined himself so narrowly, working regularly in cop thrillers and comedies, as well.)

McNaughton probably brought us some aspects Romero would have shied away from. Both have no qualms with gore, but McNaughton is more associated with sensuality than Romero, and that aspect of the film is a key aspect of the plot in the latter half. We know that McNaughton took over very early on, enough that he was taking part in the casting process. He also had direct input in the imagery, which was inspired by the artist Hieronymus Bosch and his "deadly orgies of skeletons".

Of course, he cannot take full responsibility for the success or failure of the picture. McNaughton says "the crew was like a locomotive", and although he was only on set for ten days, they had been working on the series for months and knew how to maximize their resources. There was not even time for rehearsals beyond a table read, so casting known variables was key.

Upon first seeing this film, viewers might feel that it is one of the weakest installments in the Masters of Horror series, due to the episode offering little excitement until the last ten minutes... which is then followed up by a "twist" ending that the audience should have seen coming halfway through the film. Repeat viewings might make viewers find something more. While it is true that the first half of the film relies heavily on retelling the Frankenstein story, which is well-established in other movies and not very innovative, the departure point is critical and the introduction of necromancy makes the film unique.

The acting is fine, even if Jon Polito goes a bit over the top. McNaughton personally cast Polito, a regular in his work, knowing what he was able to bring to the role. The costumes and scenery are very nice. The effort put into getting period-appropriate outfits is noticeable and commendable. There is also great work from special effects wizard Howard Berger, particularly the dead dog puppet. Berger has few equals.

For those looking deeper, you may find some interesting ideas touched upon, albeit briefly. There is discussion of bringing the soul back from the dead, and the declaration that animals have no soul. Haeckel finds this unusual, which seems out of character -- what use does a man without God have for a soul? And the idea certainly was not new. Many philosophers and theologians have declared animals soulless. George Hegel, in 1821, wrote, "An animal too has impulses, desires, inclinations, but it has no will and must obey its impulse if nothing external deters it." Haeckel also calls to mind the difference between religion and science, a "playing God" attitude that was largely absent in the "Frankenstein" story, at least in such a direct and blatant exposition.

The features of the DVD are impressive, with plenty of interviews and featurettes. Someone could dismiss the Masters of Horror series as a television show, but the DVD proves these are films in their own right. Sadly, the commentary from McNaughton is sparse, and there are too many minutes of silence. But he still adds enough information to make a listen worthwhile.

"Haeckel's Tale" takes place in the XIX century, which contributes to the dark and gloomy atmosphere, but the story itself is very slow and without tension, and twist is unsatisfying. It left me with the impression of a dark fairy tale more than horror. Film culminates in one of the most bizarre sex scene I've ever seen and, if for nothing else, it's worth watching this episode. Trust me, you won't forget it any time soon.

6/10

This is squarely in the tradition of AIP/Hammer/Bava period Gothic chillers (with a touch of Romero) which mixed horror and eroticism back in the 60s and 70s on a routine basis, before nudity again became somewhat taboo in our increasingly conservative culture. For me, this one has it all - a naked nympho, atmospheric sets, cool monster makeup, and best of all - ZOMBIE SEX! This is totally a B movie - B meaning going back to the basics of breasts, beasts and blood - and I loved it unashamedly. The scene in the fog-shrouded graveyard with the orgasmic babe being mauled by horny zombies is stunning, like an uncensored full page panel from one of those B&W horror mags of the 70s, Creepy, Vampirella or Eerie - in the full-colored flesh. I'd like to freeze-frame it and hang it on the wall of my tiki lounge. This is the greatest zombie sex flick since "Cemetery Man" and the addition of the zombie baby is a nice nod to Pete Jackson's "Dead Alive." Along with the equally erotic (and twisted) "JENIFER" and "SICK GIRL" - another very entertaining drive-in throwback - this is my favorite of the MOH series so far (season one.)

Haeckel's Tale is not directed by Takashi Miike as reviewed. It is John McNaughton who brought us Wild Things that did it. Haeckel's Tale, by the way, is based on a short story written by Clive Barker of the same title. If you are familiar with his work you'll know what to expect especially if you remember his one of a kind Hellraiser.

The last episode which was supposed to be directed by Takashi Miike was withheld from being aired by Shotime executives due to some scenes they were unhappy about. At the moment the 13th episode known as Imprint will only be available on DVD.

All in all Masters of Horror is a tour de force of horror on television. If you like a good scare, some laughs, action, nudity, rock music, variety and disgust this show's definitely for you. Lock the doors, turn off the lights and blast the speakers for a fun and thrilling ride.

'Haeckel's Tale,' one of the last "Masters of Horror" episodes to be released on DVD, is a strange concoction of contradiction. Plot-wise, the film begins on a serious note but dives further and further into B-level silliness; visually, the costumes and sets run the gamut from impressive accuracy to jaw-dropping cheapness; the FX have a slapdash obviousness (the puppet-dog in the basket to the 'budget zombies'); and finally, it doesn't seem typical of any party involved (which, in this case, really isn't a good thing). John McNaughton, pinch-hitting for George Romero, directs a script by Mick Garris, based on a short story by Clive Barker...it's hard to imagine where such a fine teaming would go wrong, but it does. After the introduction of a poorly conceived (and unnecessary) framing device, we focus on Ernest Haeckel, a young upstart med student with delusions of Frankenstein-ian grandeur; on the way to see his ailing father, he comes across an old man and his attractive bride, who has a strange fixation with the residents of the local cemetery. Even for a 60-minute episode, the plot feels stretched, and the twists and revelations run the gamut from dumb to simply insulting (the ending being the worst offense). While the faux-Hammer period setting and costumes would have made this one of MOH's more ambitious episodes, McNaughton and Garris ultimately transform a promising premise into the type of Saturday-afternoon cheese-fest Vampira would be right at home hosting.