Review of The Call of Cthulhu (2006) by Sean C — 13 Jan 2014

HP Lovecraft and Stephen King share a similar problem: their authorial voices are almost impossible to transfer to the medium of film. Particulars of their stories aside, what we love about these gentlemen's work is their expository language -- their storytelling style and descriptive powers. That's why, I think, that with a couple of notable exceptions aside, most cinematic adaptations of their works are a disappointment.

THE CALL OF CTHULHU is one of those exceptions, and it's a great one! Ironically, that may be because of the severe budgetary limitations the production was working under. Making a virtue out of necessity, the filmmakers hit on the brilliant (but not so obvious) idea of filming Lovecraft's classic tale as a black-and-white silent film! Instead of worrying about realistic special effects (or, God forbid, CGI) they were instead able to utilize a little Georges Méliès-style magic in their home-built practical effects. These two elements of the film complement each other beautifully, and, combined with the (really terrific!) original symphonic music score, add up to a hugely pleasurable viewing experience.

Especially for Lovecraft fans! Because this movie, this no-budget little labor-of-love fan film, is probably the best cinematic adaptation of an HP Lovecraft story ever made. All the elements of the original story are there; and the story is very well told by the actor's facial expressions and body language, plus the occasional well-placed title card. The mood and atmosphere of the film is note-perfect, and stands in perfectly for Lovecraft's authorial voice. A sense of of spooky mystery is evoked in the first act, set in the fabled Massachusetts city of Arkham. Real horror accompanies the second, at the pagan goings-on in Louisiana. And in the seagoing third, when the titular Mr. C. makes his dread appearance, the terror of the characters is palpable.

Terrific movie! I urge you to take a look.