Masters of Horror Episode 12: Haeckels Tale
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The Masters of Horror series on Showtime brings the top horror writers and directors together for a series of incredible one-hour features. The twelfth episode, Haeckels Tale directed by John McNaughton could have used a bit more "association" with George Romero.
Written by The Zombie Master Lee Roberts
March 2, 2007
Original
air date: January 27, 2006
Directed by: John McNaughton
Written by: Mick Garris
Short Story by: Clive Barker
Starring:
Derek Cecil as Ernst Haeckel
Leela Savasta as Elise Wolfram
Tom McBeath as Wolfram
Jon Polito as Montesquino
Synopsis: Set in the late 19th century,
a distraught gentleman seeks the help of a female necromancer. It seems
that his wife has died suddenly and he can’t seem to live
without her. The necromancer at first refuses but then decides that she
will tell Haeckels Tale and if after her story he
still wants her services then she will agree to bring his wife back
from the dead. Haeckels Tale is about a Mr. Ernst
Haeckel (Derek Cecil), a scientist who is on a journey to see his
deathly ill father. While on this journey he meets Wolfram (Tom
McBeath), a generous older man that takes Haeckel into his home and out
of the stormy weather. All is not well in the Wolfram household though.
With Wolfram’s odd acting wife (Leela Savasta) and an even
odder Necromancer (Jon Polito) thrown into the mix, Mr. Haeckel is in
for a very long night.
Thoughts: When I saw the Haeckels Tale opening credits say “in association with George A. Romero”, I was looking forward to a rather enjoyable 60 minutes of mayhem. I later found out that the only “association” that Romero had with >Haeckels Tale was that he was originally going to direct it, which explains a lot. Don’t get me wrong, the story was cool even though the necrophilia was a bit disturbing - the zombies and gore looked great but something was missing. Oh, I know what it was: anything thing that remotely resembled a real zombie film. Any zombie film other than Haeckels Tale and Elise Wolfram wouldn’t have had a chance. She would have been dinner along with Mr. Wolfram, Mr Haeckel and Mr. Montesquino. Haeckels Tale was ok but it was nothing spectacular. Questions or comments about Haeckels Tale? Contact us!
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