Product Description

Hugh Grant Amanda Donohoe and Catherine Oxenberg star in this mix of heart-stopping horror and campy humor. James D'Ampton (Grant) returns to his country castle in England. Legend has it that James' distant ancestor once slayed the local dragon-a monstrous white worm with a fondness for the sweet flesh of virgins. The young Lord dismisses the legend as folklore until archaeology student Angus Flint unearths a massive reptilian skull and the ancient worship site of a pagan snake god on James' property. When James' virtuous girlfriend Eve (Oxenburg) suddenly disappears he and Angus set out to investigate the foreboding cavern said to be the worm's lair where a centuries-old mystery begins to uncoil. Features: WIdeScreen version 2.0 Dolby Stereo Surround Scene AccessInteractive MenusSystem Requirements:Run Time: 93 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: HORROR Rating: R UPC: 012236125600 Manufacturer No: 12560

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16900 in DVD
• Brand: LION'S GATE ENTERTAINMENT
• Released on: 2003-08-19
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 93 minutes

Amazon.com
Wittily updated from one of Dracula author Bram Stoker's lesser-known horror novels, The Lair of the White Worm is a camp classic that only Ken Russell could have delivered. It's got all the perversity one expects from the bombastic director of Tommy and Altered States: sensible plotting, intelligent dialogue laced with double entendre, graphic imagery with Boschian intensity, and a mischievous disregard for good taste and decorum. In other words, it's heretically hilarious, especially when skeptical Lord D'Ampton (fresh-faced Hugh Grant, in one of his earliest films) begins to suspect that seductive neighbor Sylvia (Amanda Donohoe, game for anything) is connected to the local legend of a monstrous serpent that feeds on sacrificial virgins. Evidence mounts with the help of a local archaeologist (Peter Capaldi) and two endangered sisters (Catherine Oxenberg, Sammi Davis), and Russell infuses Stoker's grisly plot with his inimitable brand of blasphemy, including a gouged eyeball, a venom-splattered crucifix, Roman soldiers raping nuns (in a delirious hallucination sequence), and some of the funniest one-liners since Young Frankenstein. Prudes beware; everyone else…enjoy! --Jeff Shannon

From the Back Cover
Hugh Grant, Amanda Donohoe and Catherine Oxenberg star in this mix of heart-stopping horror and campy humor. James D'Ampton (Grant) returns to his country castle in England. Legend has it that James' distant ancestor once slayed the local dragon - a monstrous white worm with a fondness for the sweet flesh of virgins. The young Lord dismisses the legend as folklore, until archaeology student, Angus Flint, unearths a massive reptilian skull and the ancient worship site of a pagan snake god on James' property. When James' virtuous girlfriend, Eve (Oxenberg), suddenly disappears, he and Angus set out to investigate the foreboding cavern said to be the worm's lair, where a centuries-old mystery begins to uncoil.

Customer Reviews

Wicked!
Hideously kinky, delightfully depraved and woefully witty... this is Ken Russell's masterpiece! Where else can you see ex-"Dynasty" trollop Catherine Oxenberg trussed up as a virginal pagan sacrifice to a 90-foot long demonic albino snake? Or ex-L.A. Lawyer Amanda Donahoe running around in just a thin layer electric blue bodypaint and two-inch snake fangs? Or the pre-"Four Weddings and a Funeral" Hugh Grant act like the smug, upper-class twit that he is instead of a hangdog shy wimp? What a great movie!

The DVD looks good... not a huge improvement over the VHS release, but the trailers and TV spots are funny and Ken Russell's commentary is droll and entertaining. I highly reccomend this film for anyone who likes vampires, thigh-high leather boots, Tommy: the Movie or dry-humored immortal pagan snake-god priestesses. Hail Dionin!

First-Class Trash
This one was despised by the serious critics, but all that means is that they weren't weird enough to enjoy it. All right, it's trash. But it's great trash. It's my idea of a feel-good movie. It's kinky, erotic, scary, and funny. And bright. Literally. After zillions of creepy, dark, scary scenes in movies, the sunshine and well-lit rooms in this one emphasize the horror scenes. But who cares about the lighting? It's main attraction is an over-the-top performance by Amanda Donohoe as a very bad girl. Upper-crust Hugh Grant and his cohorts have a lot of fun trying to evade her slithery grasp. That's about all you need to know. But for heaven's sakes, don't take it seriously. If you hate it, you'll really hate it.

Off beat Cult film!!!
Up front, NOT everyone will like this film. It's a Ken Russell film, after all. That said, if you are scared of snakes, have a religious bent or hate picked earthworms in aspec, then this film is NOT for you!! Amanda Donahoe turns out a stunning performs as the Lady who is not a lady. Hugh Grant (before he was HUGH Grant) is perfect as Lord D'Ampton. A mystery, a horror with vampire tones, Russell crafts a winning hommage to old Hammer Films, and boldly goes where they rarely did, and adds the dash of droll humour to top off the mix.

Russell's best film!! But as I said, NOT everyone will appreciate it.