The Movie:
Five famous friends spend a hallucinogenic evening confronting their fears in a frenzy of shocking lunacy and horrifying visions in this fictional tale, which tells the story of Mary Shelley’s conception of Frankenstein on one debauched night in Lord Byron’s home.
This was a first time watch for me so naturally I was pretty excited to check it out. The film treads along the line of a psychological thriller but has some interesting horror elements blended in as well. The film feels like it’s a bit everywhere in terms of story but it’s just weird enough to keep my attention. The acting was pretty much as you would guess…cheesy BUT what do you expect from a lower budget film from the 80’s. It’s not all bad though as I thought Gabriel Byrne did a great job. He has a certain type of demeanor in his roles that I like and even though this is an older film it was still very much present. I will be honest and say that this movie may not be for everyone because it is a tad bit slow in moments but it is an interesting watch especially if you’re a fan of the Vestron Video Series. If you’re a completionist and have other releases then you’re DEFINITELY going to want to pick this up ASAP. 5/10
Special Features:
The Soul of Shelley with Actor Julian Sands – A nice interview with the actor and his experience in working with director Ken Russell.
Fear Itself with Screenwriter Stephen Volk – Volk talks a bit about the story and how it came about.
One Rainy Night with Director of Photography Mike Southon – Cinematographer Southon talks about his experience on this film early in his career.
Isolated Score Selections and Audio Interview with Composer Thomas Dolby
Audio Commentary with Lili Russell, in conversation with film historian Matthew Melia