The Gorgon

SilentDawn5.0

96Aching, romantic loneliness. Found myself enraptured by Terence Fisher's work in this - from the use of reflections to the cozy textures to the "empty" castle beyond the village: it's the classic Hammer narrative abstracted. Scares found in loss, the frozen state of life, and autumn leaves scattered around quiet mansion gardens. Not to mention the absence of color when the 'gorgon' strikes - this plays to the strengths of a Hammer production so expertly.

mike55773.5

Over a span of five years, seven unexplained murders have plagued the village of Vandorf, with each victim mysteriously turned to stone.In an old mill house, local artist Bruno Heitz (Jeremy Longhurst), meets his pregnant girlfriend Sascha Cass (Toni Gilpin). While the couple are discussing their issues, Sascha catches a glimpse of the Gorgon and is turned to stone. Distraught, Bruno runs into the night and is found hanging dead from a tree in the forest.The local authorities and physician, Dr. Namaroff (Peter Cushing), rule their deaths a murder-suicide, blaming Bruno for Sascha’s death to keep the village’s ancient curse a secret.Directed by Hammer mainstay, Terrence Fisher, The Gorgon is one of Hammer Studios most underrated and unique films. It is lush with gothic visuals, has slow burning dread, and a moody atmosphere. It also has three of Hammer’s finest actors. Besides Cushing, the film also boasts the talents of Christopher Lee and Barbara Shelley. Unfortunately, due to the budget, the Gorgon itself is insufficiently spectacular. Instead of using real snakes, the Gorgon wears a model of snakes on her head that doesn’t quite sell it. However, I do give Hammer credit for adding a new monster to their gallery.

jryn73.5

I have a memory of not liking The Gorgon as a kid because the title creature wasn’t as memorable as Ray Harryhausen Greek Mythology movies like Clash of the Titans or Jason and the Argonauts. But it works for me much better now as one of the best of Hammer’s series of Gothic monster mystery movies that they cranked out in the 60s. The Gorgon opens with a young couple found dead in the woods - the guy hanging from a tree, and the woman turned to stone. Dad comes to town for the inquest and immediately finds the townspeople hostile and secretive - and in the habit of dying mysteriously. Unfortunately for him he finds the cause, the title Gorgon who haunts the empty castle above the town. Before he turns to stone, he finishes most of a letter to his other son - and now that poor guy (Richard Pasco) has to leave his mentor Christopher Lee behind at Leipzig University to come investigate why his family keeps dying in the area. But first he comes face to face with scream queen Barbara Shelley, and its love at first sight. However she’s the assistant to local doctor Peter Cushing, who’s pathologically unhelpful to Pasco and in love with/overprotective of Shelley. What’s Cushing’s connection to the Gorgon? Will Pasco get to the bottom of the mysterious deaths? Will Lee have to come bail him out to prevent him becoming the latest member of the family to turn to stone? Why does Shelley have eyes for this guy anyway?All the questions except the last one get answered, though by at least the midway point the mystery is pretty easy to solve. That doesn’t make The Gorgon any less entertaining, with ace Hammer director Terence Fisher pouring on the atmosphere and his accomplished cast (including soon-to-be Doctor Who Patrick Troughton) giving it their all. As usual the film looks gorgeous in sets and costumes (Shelley’s hooded outfit drips Gothic splendor). The makeup effects for those turning to stone are really good, while those for the Gorgon are hit and miss but charmingly so. And the ending is appropriately sad with a silver lining.Screenwriter John Gilling would go on to direct two good monster mysteries himself in Plague of the Zombies and The Reptile, keeping this Hammer subgenre going. Once again Hammer Horror proves perfect for fall and Spooky Season ;)