Gothic

“1816. A sprawling villa in Switzerland is the setting for the night of the “Haunted Summer,” when five famous friends gather around an ancient skull to conjure up their darkest fears. Poets Lord Byron and Percy Shelley; Shelley’s fiancée Mary Godwin; Mary’s stepsister, Claire Clairmont; and Byron’s friend, Dr. John Polidori, spend a hallucinogenic evening confronting their fears in an orgiastic frenzy of shock lunacy that later inspired Mary Shelley to write the classic Frankenstein and Dr. Polidori to pen The Vampyre, which became the basis for the creation of Dracula. One fateful evening, two legends were born, in Ken Russell’s GOTHIC.”

It’s hard to categorize Gothic to a single genre, as it is truly unlike anything I have ever seen. Directed by Ken Russell, who is well known for his strange and ‘out there’ films that provide endless discussion and intellectual analysis, Gothic is nothing if not filled with intrigue, passion, and a story so wild that you soon won’t forget it.

What I found most interesting about Gothic was the fact that this is based on the true encounter between these famous literary figures which ultimately lead to two of the most iconic horror figures in history. Although the events of the time spent on Lake Geneva aren’t entirely documented, it doesn’t seem like such a stretch that Byron and his guests would indulge in a night of debauchery fueled by laudanum, resulting in the creation of these literary figures. The direction Ken Russell takes the story in is nothing short of uninhibited, with sequences that flow as intelligibly as wild passions with all restraint dissolved.

When I say that Gothic is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, I do mean that, which translates into something so unique that it isn’t going to be for everybody. When I originally read the synopsis I was intrigued at the prospect of a story that inspired Frankenstein, but this is something so much more. It’s a descent into drug induced madness with the creation of these stories as an afterthought. We basically watch these people live out sexual fantasies as well as their own nightmarish creations while trying to keep hold of their sanity. It’s not a conventional film, which if you are familiar with Ken Russell’s work in the slightest you should know that. It is because of the director that I was so intrigued by the film, and although I didn’t particularly love the film, I do think it is very important to know what is in store for you before you begin watching it. Typical structure doesn’t matter here, there isn’t going to be a protagonist and antagonist; it’s an exploration of these carnal desires and fears that shape the imagination. Watching the film is definitely an experience, as you feel the madness as it takes hold of each one of them.

Enjoy it or not, the one deniable aspect about the film is the unbelievable talent involved. Gabriel Byrne, Julian Sands, Natasha Richardson, Timothy Spall and Myriam Cyr all give unforgettable performances. Each character reacts very differently as they dive further into drug madness, and the talent of the actors enhances this as the film progresses. The film relies solely on the interactions of these characters, and without a strong cast this would not have worked at all.

Video

Gothic is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 1.85:1. The print appears to be in relatively good condition, with a few scratches and blemishes here and there, but nothing major. It has been cleaned up quite nicely, and although the majority of the film takes place at night in dark settings, color levels seem to be in line, and grain is manageable at a consistent level.

Audio

The audio is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 with the original monaural audio. The audio track sounds fine for what it is, with the majority of all sound coming as dialogue, with some sound effects used for effect here and there. The score is done quite well, always providing something very different from scene to scene.

Special Features

As usual with their Collector’s Series, Vestron has put together some nice extras for this disc. You’re going to see:

• Audio Commentary with Lisi Russell, in conversation with Film Historian Matthew Melia
• Isolated Score Selections and Audio Interview with Composer Thomas Dolby
• “The Soul of Shelley” with Actor Julian Sands
• “Fear Itself” with Screenwriter Stephen Volk
• “One Rainy Night” with Director of Photography Mike Southon
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spot
• Still Gallery

Ken Russell’s Gothic is anything but your typical horror film. It isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you get a chance to check this out, going into it with this knowledge may help prepare you to be appreciative of the art that results in something entirely unique.