Aleister Crowley: Legend of the Beast

"Aleister Crowley: Legend Of The Beast" is a biopic of sorts of the more spiritual journey of the legendary man of darkness, Aleister Crowley. The film is written/directed by Dom Lenoir and stars Henry Amphlett, Elle Black, Claire Bowen, Kathryn Carpenter, Melanie Denholme, Val Monk, Paul T. Horsfield, William Ludwig and Anna Elena Pepe. Aleister Crowley was a magnet to all, many were drawn to his presence and exceptional wisdom but there were also those that he repelled. This film looks back on one man's amazing journey from his death bed.

The story of "Aleister Crowley: Legend Of The Beast" is an easy one to tell, he is one of the most covered and documented men of the darker side of wisdom in modern history so this film should have been a sure thing. However it is not. The story presents as a rough draft from a community college drama club and is given an equal quality performance. I really wanted to like this film because of the subject so I was quite disappointed, most fell to the performances of the actors which are forced, recited lines without emotion or character.

The effects and soundtrack in "Aleister Crowley: Legend Of The Beast" is basic and expected effects for a film on this budget which was low. The special effects are equal to cable television aspects on the cheaper side with the soundtrack offering a mediocre, cliché atmosphere that seems to command more of a wearied effect than the desired dramatics that the director hoped for. I found myself bored with this film and aside from Denholme's presence, "Legend Of The Beast" offers nothing thrilling, or entertaining.

It's amazing how they could take a person as fascinating as Aleister Crowley and create such a major snooze-fest. I'm proud of myself that I made it through this.

It is disjointed. Unless you're familiar with the life of Crowley, you are going to be sitting there saying, "who is this person now?" The acting is hideous. Most of the cast just read lines in dull voices, instead of actually acting. I didn't expect much in the way of special effects from a something so low budget that the men's costumes looked like they were off the rack in 2015, but at least hire people who can act.

The movie is stylish, but this is a major case of style over substance.

I had the misfortune of triggering a double bill of Dom Lemoir films, the first I saw was this, a truly abysmal film, poor direction, camera work and acting. This guy seriously should just be a runner or something. Both his films 6 years apart were truly horrendous.