Recently Kount Kreepy and I got sucked into an online (MMORPG) game called “The Secret World”.
Secret World fits the bill for any conspiracy buff with playable factions of the Dragon Society, The Illuminati and The Templar’s and also meets the needs of many horror fans. For myself its the perfect storm! Not surprisingly then (if you’ve played the game) Ive developed a sweet tentacle for some H.P.Lovecraft themed movies.
Looking about the house for which movies I have based on the Cthulu mythos (H.P.Lovecraft) I realized I could use some more. Then I started wondering if there were any I haven’t seen (if that were possible!) there had to be! This article will be a glimpse of sorts into H.P.Lovecraft inspired entertainment including video games. Be sure to visit the Lovecraft eZine as well as some fantastic events( there a Cthulucon if you can believe it?!) and other sites I have linked throughout the article.
Here we go descending into the mouth of madness…..
1/In the Mouth of Madness
Like most Lovecraft fiction the character should go through a transitional period in ones life and stumble upon a mystery of one sort (or intrigue) or another eventually being driven to madness through their search or struggle. Plus a backdrop of a bigger picture plot that is never fully revealed but is nonetheless horrifying at the brief and horrifying glimpses of the truth. There is also the exposure of the thin veneer of our fragile “civilization”, the slippery descent into depravity for many, yet the faint glimmer of inner resolve in the face of overwhelming horror. This movie has that in spades and as you may have guessed one of my favorites.
2/Dagon
Spanish film done in English based on H.P.Lovecraft‘s book “Shadow over Innsmouth” also on Lovecraft’s own research into ancient god’s and legends. I bring this one forward as its a great and creepy movie and was sort of the kick starter for Spain’s entry into modern horror films. Although directed by American Stuart Gordon (S.G. had done a few films as a fan of H.P.L.)the majority of the actors,scenery,setting,production,etc was Spanish. Also see similar American film titled Cthulu (2007)
The first phase of The Secret World is very much inspired by Shadow over Innsmouth.
3/Dreams in the Witch House (from Masters of Horror Collection)
Put this one down as a must see for Lovecraft horror. Then again I recommend the Masters of Horror Collection!
University student needs a quite place to finish his work. The room he rents (of course in an old creepy boarding house) hides an evil past!!
4/ From Beyond
Classic. Also inspirational for the film The Banshee Chapter (2013) a great movie crossing into the MKULTRA of real life (which is another subject I research see various articles on this site).Don’t you See?!! … blogging can be fun!
From Beyond is another Stuart Gordon flick and based from H.P.Lovecraft’s book of the same name. See also the related films and books: The Re-Animator (aka Herbert West Reanimator) (movie series-Bride of the Re-Animator, Beyond Reanimator.) A scientist creates a device that allows people to see through the veil of our reality into another. Unfortunately creatures can reach through from the other side!!
Probably one of THE films that got cinema started on H.P.Lovecraft themes and adaptations -note*** not to dismiss Sam Rami’s mention of the Necronomicon in The Evil Dead (which is a pioneer of film in its own right).
5/other mentions and games…….
Turns out there is quite a few films inspired by ole H.P. Lovecraft. Here is an IMBD link with a comprehensive listing of films.
Now onto the games. Outside of the dice,pen and paper role playing series known as “Call of Cthulu” which rode the waves and rose from the murky depths alongside Dungeons and Dragons and other role playing games, peaking in popularity in the 1980’s and declining into the 90’s. The Role Playing game explosion and eventual hibernation due to the advent of cheap personal computers and the Internet (not to the religious nut persecution). Surprisingly though it seems Call of Cthulu the RPG, and card game (ie Role Playing Game) is still alive and well after all this time.
For video games I will just mention a few. For starters is the Secret World I had mentioned at the start of the article. Some others of note are (just type Lovecraft into a Steam search)XCOM: Terror from the Deep, and others such as Call of Cthulu.
Thanks for tuning in- Evil von Scary