On August 20, 1890, that writer of the fantastically weird, H.P. Lovecraft was born. Perhaps it was Lovecrafts odd life that led him to craft our most beloved strange stories. Both his parents died in a mental institution. Shortly after the death of his father, he began to suffer from night terrors. More dramatic than a regular nightmare, night terrors ’cause rapid heartbeats, quick breathing, terrified screams, and inconsolable fear. Lovecraft dreamed of nightguants, which later found their way into his fiction as thin, black and faceless beings that tickle their victims into submission.
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During his lifetime, Lovecraft shunned both the sun and sexual activity, leaving him plenty of time to write. And write he did. Hundreds of works, both fiction and non, and thousands upon thousands of letters. His fiction in particular has had a lasting legacy, specifically in the horror community, resulting in a number of games, music, literature, and films. Today, we celebrate Lovecraft’s birthday with a list of the 10 best film adaptations of his works.
Next: 10. Beyond Re-Animator
10. Beyond Re-Animator
Released in 2003, this Spanish horror film is the third installment of the Re-Animator series. Directed by Brian Yuzna, the film finds Dr. Herbert West serving a 13 year prison sentence for the murder of a teenage girl at the hands of one of his resurrected corpses. But no prison bars can stop Dr. West from pursuing his insane research. Within the confines of the prison medical center, he discovers Nano-Plasmic Energy: a substance that prevents the dead from degenerating. Bloody chaos reigns in this 80s splatter film as the living dead, now indistinguishable from humans, run amok through the prison.
Though the film doesn’t live up to it’s predecessor, it’s a fun installment, especially for lovers of gore.
Next: 9. The Dunwich Horror
9. The Dunwich Horror
Based on Lovecraft’s short story of the same name, The Dunwich Horror was directed by Daniel Haller and produced by B movie master, Roger Corman. Though the film is not too far off from the original, the tale had to be adapted for modern audiences. Lovecraft’s short story was rife with the more paranoid beliefs of the 19th century, specifically, the idea that society was on the verge of collapse due to genetic “degeneration.” Haller and Corman removed this element from the story leaving us with a wonderfully weird satanic cult movie.
The film features the creepy, weird Whateley family, and their creepy, weird son, Wilbur Whateley, who kidnaps Nancy (played by Sandra Dee) and keeps her under his influence through the use of hallucinogenics. When rescue is attempted, Wilbur’s monster of a twin brother is accidentally released and madness ensues.
Next: 8. Bride of Re-Animator
8. Bride of Re-Animator
Back to Re-Animator! The second film in the series was directed in 1990 by Brian Yuzna and is the sequel to Stuart Gordon’s, Re-Animator. Eight months after the events of the first film, Dr. West and Dan Cain return home from the Peruvian war to their former positions at the Miskatonic University Hospital. West returns to Cain’s basement to continue his ghastly research. Conveniently located in the hospitals morgue, is an evidence box entitled “Miskatonic Massacre.” We revisit an old friend as the head of Dr. Carl Hill is re-animated. But there’s more! West discovers the heart of Cain’s old love, Megan. Dangling it like a bloody carrot, West convinces Cain to help him continue his research. Nothing could possibly go wrong!
Still not as good as the first, but definitely better than Beyond Re-Animator, it is a must-see for fans.
Next: 7. H.P. Lovecraft's: Necronomicon
7. H.P. Lovecraft’s: Necronomicon
Necronomicon is an anthology film based on three of Lovecraft’s short stories: The Drowned is loosely based on The Rats in the Walls, The Cold is based on Cool Air, and Whispers is based on The Whisperer in Darkness. The connecting story follows Lovecraft as he seeks out the Necronomicon in an old monastery. Finding it, he begins to read…
The film is a great introduction to those just starting out on their Lovecraftian cinematic journey. It’s got everything from mysterious diaries with instructions on how to raise the dead, frightening monsters, murders, eternal life, creepy old buildings, and plenty of oozing fluids.
Next: 6. Lemora
6. Lemora
Lila Lee is a child full of pure innocence with the voice of an angel. The daughter of a father who murdered her mother, she decides to go on a quest to grant her father Christian forgiveness. She hears that her father has taken off to the mysterious town of Astaroth, so she sets out into the night to find him. But Astaroth has been taken over by degenerate victims of some mysterious disease. Holding the town in her grip is Lemora, a tall, elegant woman whose interest in Lila is less than chaste, despite her maternal posturing. Lemora is a vampire, and she’s intent on drawing Lila into her dark embrace…
This film got a very limited release and was wreathed in controversy. The Catholic church condemned it, calling it anti-Catholic. Despite this, it maintained a cult popularity and can now be found on DVD.
Next: 5. The Resurrected
5. The Resurrected
Claire Ward hires John Ward, a private detective, to find out why her husband, Charles Dexter Ward, is behaving so weird. Ward discovers that Charles has become obsessed with his family’s ancient traditions of witchcraft and necromancy.
Based on The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, the film is considered to be one of the most faithful adaptations of a Lovecraft story and a dang fine movie to boot.
Next: 4. From Beyond
4. From Beyond
Director Stuart Gordon is no stranger to adapting Lovecraft for the silver screen and From Beyond is definitely up there as one of his best works. The film features the well-known Lovecraftian theme of our world being co-inhabited by unseen and dangerous forces. Brilliant scientist Dr. Crawford Tillinghast learns how to manipulate the pineal gland using a device called a resonator. In an unforeseen side-effect, the device enables its subject to see inter-dimensional creatures who, once seen, can wield their evil influence.
Another controversial film due to its amount of gore and depictions of deviant sex acts, much of it was censored upon its initial release. In 2007 the director’s cut was finally released on DVD by MGM. View at your own discretion, this is not for the faint of heart!
Next: 3. The Whisperer in Darkness
3. The Whisperer in Darkness
Coming in at number 3 is the 2011 film, The Whisperer in Darkness. Miskatonic University professor Albert Wilmarth is intrigued by the documents sent to him by a terrified Vermont farmer who insists that mysterious creatures have been appearing all over his community. He has documented strange animal prints in the soil near his home, and needless to say, he is very, very afraid. Professor Wilmarth travels to Vermont and begins a journey that will plunge him in the center of a terrifying conspiracy. One that is not of this earth…
Though The Whisperer in Darkness never received a theatrical release, it was screened at dozens of film festivals to glowing critical reviews. An atmospheric, dark and chilling film, if you can get your hands on it, it’s a must see.
Next: 2. The Call of Cthulhu (2005)
2. The Call of Cthulhu (2005)
No Lovecraft list would be complete without Cthulhu. This short film was done in the style of a 1920s silent-era film and it is amazing. The plot follows the original story of a man is faced with an eccentric relative’s records in the aftermath of his demise. In this case, it’s the nephew of a professor, and as he sifts through journal entries and newspaper clippings he uncovers clues to the world of the Cthulhu cult, of which he becomes fascinated. Of course, he learns too much, costing him his sanity, and threatening life and limb.
The stylized nature of the film paired with some superb acting and a wonderfully haunting soundtrack earn this little film the number 2 spot.
Next: 1. Re-Animator
1. Re-Animator
This is it folks. Number 1 and Re-Animator takes it. One of the best horror films of all time, let alone best Lovecraft adaptation, Re-Animator takes the cake with its face-paced story, excellent acting, fabulous special effects, and unforgettable soundtrack.
We are introduced to Herbert West, a mad scientist with a messiah complex focused on cheating death. He has discovered a serum that when injected into the brain of the recently deceased, re-animates them. Unfortunately, re-animation results in murderous zombies. Realizing Herbert’s potential, his professor Dr. Hill (David Gile) has been keeping a close eye on his research. Hill is determined to do whatever it takes to get his hands on Herbert’s discovery and steal credit for his work. While forcefully trying to convince Herbert to turn over his findings, Hill’s head is viciously separated from his body. Herbert than performs the final test in his research and re-animates Hill’s head and body. Dr. Hill is still able to speak, even without a voice box and lungs and continues to be psychically linked to his body, which he controls to wreak havoc and seek his revenge. (From House of Horrors)