House of the Gorgon

Oh dear! That's the only thing I can really say about fan movie HOUSE OF THE GORGON (2019), written/directed by and starring massive Hammer fan Joshua Kennedy. It's an American indie production made as a throwback to the Hammer films of old, that begins with a trio of women travelling by carriage to a remote region of Karlstadt where they find a mysterious house and its strange occupants. The title is a clue to the Greek-influence menace in this film.

Sadly, it's appalling in every respect,but then it would be given that it was shot in five days. Copying scenes from Hammer films on a tiny budget doesn't really do it for me. Caroline Munro hams it up shamelessly, Martine Beswick gives the most fun performance - like she's in a panto - while Veronica Carlson is stuck with a dull role. Oh, and AD 1972's Christopher Neame also appears as a priest, but perhaps he should have stayed at home. I think the poster artwork is the best part of this film.

If one doesn't try to compare this with classic Hammer Horror productions (the settings are more like Roger Corman's films of the same era), it can be enjoyed on its own merits. We have Hammer favourites Caroline Munro, Martine Beswicke and Veronica Carlson and Christopher Neame (who could ask for more), in a well- written story with enough dark secrets and sinister scenes to satisfy those with a taste for the macabre.

Director Joshua Kennedy wisely avoided using any CGI effects in the film - almost everything is done in camera with sleight-of-hand, and this is refreshing.

Georgina Dugdale is an attractive and likeable leading lady.

The stirring score by Reber Clark is another great plus for this picture.

Despite the horror theme, gore is at a minimum, and it's kind of refreshing to listen to dialogue that isn't littered with four letter words. (No real problem if it is, but this isn't - in keeping with the period setting.)

The picture was clearly made with love and enthusiasm by all concerned. Kennedy, who also appears as the leading man, has done a great job with a small budget. Someone in Hollywood should back this guy with some big bucks. I know we would see some astonishing work.

Described as low budget by Caroline Munro herself in her introduction on TPTV. It really is low budget and full of ham acting, despite four classic horror actors from the good old days of Hammer Horror Films. The investment and ameteur production is really what let's it down.

Caroline Munro in particular lets down as she appears to have lost her skills with age. Supporting actors present are lacking in acting ability and appear bored as progress develops. Best performance goes to Martine Beswick but she's not in the movie as much as her performance justifies.

The movie including Caroline's introduction is 1h 22m long. I made it to 45 minutes before giving up. I seriously lost the plot so no spoilers here!

Currently available to stream on TPTV Encore until 31 August 2024 so I may go back and attempt to watch the movie to its end.

Ok, considering it's low budget I'll give this some breaks. The acting at times is pretty hammy but the three ladies from yesteryear seem to be loving it. The three ladies are obviously Caroline Munro, Martine Beswick and Veronica Carlson, major starlets of the Hammer horror films of the seventies.

Is it me or has Karlstadt moved to Spain, certainly has a southern European twang to proceedings. The heroine Isobel is played by Caroline Munro's daughter and they do all seem to be having a blast making this movie. Nice also to see Christopher Neame as the priest as he also starred in a Hammer film. Decent film but not enough scares for me.

Not exactly good - it's low budget particularly betrayed by it's tinny sound - this loving pastiche filmed in glorious Gooeyscope and wonderfully saturated colours of Hammer Horrors and Corman Poes with a smattering of 'Night of the Living Dead' is still fun to watch.

Caroline Munro and Martine Beswicke (as she now spells it) show they've still got what it takes as two evil five thousand year old sisters of the night (the former wearing Verdon Fell's glasses and expressing his aversion to the light). Former Hammer leading lady number three Veronica Carlson as the heroine's tippling mother meanwhile both looks and sounds exactly like Jennifer Saunders as Edina in 'Absolutely Fabulous'.