Product Description

In a time when the laws of science battled the secrets of magic, medical student Ernst Haeckel (Derek Cecil) believes the power of life, death and resurrection lay in his arrogant hands. But on a journey to visit his gravely ill father, he finds shelter in the home of an older man and his seductive young wife (Leela Savasta) who cannot be fulfilled by mortal hungers. Somewhere in the darkness of a nearby necropolis, a defiant necromancer (Jon Polito of BARTON FINK, MILLER’S CROSSING) will now summon them all to an orgy of the undead and unleash the ultimate depravity for those who do not heed the warning of HAECKEL’S TALE. Directed by John McNaughton in association with horror legend George A. Romero, this startling mix of erotic desire and gut-ripping horror is adapted by series creator/executive producer Mick Garris from the short story by Clive Barker.

DVD Features:Widescreen Presentation enhanced for 16x9 TVs,AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR JOHN MCNAUGHTON,BEHIND THE SCENES: THE MAKING OF HAECKEL'S TALE,BREAKING TABOOS: AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN MCNAUGHTON,DVD-ROM: SCREEN SAVER,DVD-ROM: SCREENPLAY,JOHN MCNAUGHTON BIO,ON SET: AN INTERVIEW WITH DEREK CECIL,ON SET: AN INTERVIEW WITH JON POLITO,ON SET: AN INTERVIEW WITH LEELA SAVASTA,SCRIPT TO SCREEN: HAECKEL'S TALE,STILL GALLERY,STORYBOARD GALLERY,TRAILERS,WORKING WITH A MASTER: JOHN MCNAUGHTON

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46293 in DVD
• Brand: Anchor
• Released on: 2006-11-14
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 60 minutes

Amazon.com
You get three Masters of Horror for the price of one in this episode of the popular cable anthology series: director John McNaughton (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Wild Things), writer Clive Barker, on whose short story the script is based, and the legendary George A. Romero, who had to bow out of the production but whose contribution is noted with an "in association with" credit. Romero's history and influence also weighs heavily on this Gothic period chiller, which concerns a brash young medical student (Derek Cecil), whose desire to re-animate the dead is called into question by a young woman (sexy Leela Savasta) whose passion for her husband has not quelled, despite his recent passing.

In an interview featured on the disc, McNaughton mentions the lush visuals and melodramatic tone of Hammer Films and American International Pictures as major influences on his approach to Haeckel's Tale, and both are evident in the hothouse sexuality and wonderfully overripe performances (particularly by character actor Jon Polito as a traveling magician). Of course, the gore also flows quite freely here, and the zombie makeup by Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger is typically top-notch. An above-average entry from the hit-and-miss Masters series, Haeckel's Tale delivers shivers and sensuality with a wry smile and a tip of the cranium to its '60s horror forebears. The DVD includes interview featurettes with McNaughton (which covers his career to date), Cecil, Polito, and Savasta; McNaughton also provides commentary for the episode, and is discussed at length by his Haeckel's cast as well as Michael Rooker and Tom Towles from Henry. A behind-the-scenes glimpse, storyboard gallery, and the original screenplay (accessible with DVD-ROM) round out the three hours of extras. -- Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews

Tale of the broken hearted... well, sorta.
So in loving all the rest of the Masters of horror movies, and being a HUGE fan of clive barkers... this was a pretty easy decision to pick this up. I had no idea what to expect, not seeing a trailer for it anywhere and only going off of the artwork and premise from the dvd. But this adaption of a Clive Barker story tells the tale of a man who visits an old woman who is told to be able to bring the dead to life. She convinces the man that if he still wants his wife back at the end of her story, she will do just that. Then the story begins...

It concerns a man named Ernst Haeckel who (very similiar to Frankenstein) beleives that God has no part in death and that he can make the dead rise. In failing numerous times, he hears of a man who can make the dead rise through black magic.. a necromancer. He visits this man and still not convinced, visits him again to confront him of his power. This does not go over well, and he is left to his own devices.

After receiving news of his fathers illness, Heackel leaves to see him.. on his way he is brought in by an old man and his young wife. The wife is very beautiful and the man is in his 60's. Soemthing does not seem right and then the wife in the middle of the night leaves towards the "necropolis" to meet up with the necromancer whom her husband paid to have her dead husband brought back to her.

Without spoiling too much of it, I'll just say this... you wont know what hit you in the end and if you enjoy a good zombie movie, then this one might be up your alley. George A. Romero also was involved in the making of this film if that tells you anything.

All in all, I enjoy period pieces and Frankenstein is one of my all time favorite classic movies. I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed both Clives stories and the MOH series. The only thing that I found not to my liking was the end was a little creepy-sappy, but once you see it... you'll know what I mean.

enjoy!

Softcore Zombie Porn
Haeckle's Tale has an impressive pedigree behind it. Clive Barker is one of the horror gods, a twisted mind that has brought us a 1000 dark horrors including Hellraiser and Nightbreed. He also wrote the Books of Blood, check those out for a scary read. However, John McNaughton is responsible for `gems' like Wild Things (yuck!). Unfortunately, it is his influence that is felt more than Barker's.

What you're left with is Haeckle's Tale about a young doctor, overly influenced by Frankenstein, who wants to bring the dead back to life. Frustrated by attempts using science that fail, he instead finds himself trapped in the realm of necromancy. The movie could have been good had it perused this path, but instead it took a left turn at Albuquerque, as Bugs Bunny would say.

From there, it jumps to soft core zombie porn, almost as if this movie was made with the premise of "Let's through together a little quick plot and then have a really hot actress have sex with a zombie or two". The framing sequence makes no sense, especially one at the end.

I love Masters of Horror, but this is one of the most disappointing. Instead of wasting your money on this, get Fair Haired Child instead, which is the best of the series. Buy Haeckle's Tale only if you're completing your set, but don't expect to be scared or overly entertained.

Recommended for completists only.

Blood, nudity, zombie orgies...you can't go wrong!
Now that's true love! A twisted story of sex with the ex. And his other zombie friends. What's not to love? The morbid naked chick is pretty hot!
This idea could have been even much more gross, disgusting, and fun. I'd love to see an extended X-rated sequel. This great movie was recommended to me by my friend Music Man, I beleive. Definitely worth checking out for you horror fanatics...