Salome

Grainy 8mm black & white short film, without any dialog. (An ambient-type soundtrack has been dubbed in.) Basically a filming of sections of Oscar Wilde's "Salome" but without audible dialog it's a little tough to follow. The cast are quite young and the main actress appears in contemporary garb. Although the film is made quite cheaply, the elements of macabre eroticism that would figure in Clive Barker's later work are evident. Recommend for fans of Clive Barker, this is not a feature-quality production but has it's moments while it lasts.

As a note, the DVD version of this film also contains another weird Barker short ("The Forbidden") with graphic and bizarre content that seems like an early rough draft for "Hellraiser". There is also an extensive Barker interview, as well as a ridiculous promotional into with an Elvira-type topless vampire hostess drooling blood all over other unclad ladies.

For value to Barker fans and the fact that it sticks in one's head, 6/10 Non-Barker fans would likely find it a 3/10

Clive Barker is multi-talented horror artist. Mainly writer, but also screen writer, director, producer, actor, painter, illustrator... Although most of you know him as author of Hellraiser movies, for me his life achievement will always be a collection of short stories Book of Blood and video game Undying. Salome from 1973. is first cinematography attempt of then 20 years old future king of horror. This is short 18 minutes black and white silent film. Maybe more of visual performance than real movie. This low- budget, or more accurately no-budget film is made in some basement with just a few friends. Using just one light source in complete darkness Barker concentrates more on building an atmosphere than telling a story. Considering when it is done, his age and budget and fact that this is his first amateur attempt of film making, it is very ungrateful to try to rate it objectively. For true Barker fans and film students this is must watch film, that will almost surely leave positive impression. For the majority of the rest this will probably be unwatchable crap. To me, this is

<3 Barker <3 /10

Salome is one of two short films that horror writer Clive Barker directed before he went on to make the cult classic 'Hellraiser'. While you cant go into a short film expecting the likes of Hellraiser, Clive Barker does deliver an interesting spectacle with this film and, like many director's pre-hit short films, you can see some early signs of the man's later work in this film. Salome only runs at about twenty minutes, and it has no dialogue; so the plot is non-existent. This doesn't matter, however, as it is the imagery and atmosphere that is important; and Clive Barker, even with only twenty minutes to play with, more than succeeds in impressing on that level. The action takes place in a dank abyss, and through the dark atmosphere and empty surroundings, Barker is able to show this. While this film doesn't have enough about it to aptly call it 'good', by the same standards; it's not bad either. Fans of Hellraiser will enjoy the film for it's style, and fans of atmosphere will find lots to like also. Salome isn't worth going out of your way to see; but if you come across a copy, it's well worth seeing.

I have to disagree that SALOME and THE FORBIDDEN are for Clive Barker fans/completest only. I'm not an CB fan. I haven't even seen HELLRAISER - although I have the original soundtrack by COIL. I am a fan of art films done on a shoestring. These two films would certainly fit into that category. Barker does a good job of creating another world while filming in the basement of a flower shop. The use of only one lighting source is also no doubt an inspiration to film students and aspiring filmmakers. In fact, a film student gave me a copy of this. I would have never discovered it otherwise. I do have a problem with how this was packaged by it's distributer. The strip orgy wraparound stuff is totally unnecessary. These early Barker shorts should be shown at art houses, art museums and shown to film students. 10 out of 10 for the films, not the distribution company.

Seen several times (what it takes, I think, to get used to the strange mood of the movie), it never gets rid of its inherent "malhabilities",but one cannot deny that it gives a very strong insight in what the director/writer would do once famous. Visually and narratively weird and unsettling, it has a violent and memorable visual identity, which makes it instantly recognizable. This does not make it good (I don't think anything can), but it is nevertheless a must-see for any Barker fan. Treat yourself, it is available on video and DVD !