I've seen the HPLHS 'Whisperer in Darkness' [Spoilers]

[AdamAstonbury]

I've split this from a previous thread, as a place to discuss the film in detail as people wish. ~PoC

Once again, the HPLHS have produced one of the works most faithful in spirit to the works of HPL. This despite the fact that - unlike 'Call of Cthulhu' they have strayed somewhat further from the source text than they did in that adaptation.

As the director explained - this is based on the premise: What would an adaptation of 'Whisperer' have looked like if a major studio operating in 1931 had decided to make it?

Lots to admire - particularly in the acting talent on display - and there are sequences of the genuinely creepy horror that mark HPL's tale. While the third act is a departure that might challenge the 'purist', and more action orientated than you might expect, I did enjoy it - and players of a certain roleplaying game that we all know and love might reflect that the action on display could well have stemmed from a particularly fun and pulpy session.

Looking forward to seeing it again - and I think it will warrant a Blu-Ray purchase.

[Badger]

While the third act is a departure that might challenge the 'purist', and more action orientated than you might expect, I did enjoy it - and players of a certain roleplaying game that we all know and love might reflect that the action on display could well have stemmed from a particularly fun and pulpy session.

Considering that the HPLHS gang used to be ardent Call of Cthulhu LARPers, this doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Looking forward to seeing this even more now!

-=b

[Xipuloxx]

Lengthy review follows. Note: This review assumes familiarity with Lovecraft's story, but those who haven't read it shouldn't be too confused. I've attempted to keep spoilers to the minimum.


On the 1st day of April in this Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eleven, in the City of Belfast, the people did witness a Moving Picture Adaptation of Mr. Lovecraft's The Whisperer in Darkness, conjured by the might of Sean Branney and his fellows in that mysterious order known only as The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society. And lo, it was wondrous, and the people did gasp, and quiver, and laugh and cheer.

OK, that's enough of that.

I first heard of the HPLHS through their silent adaptation of The Call of Cthulhu. I loved that movie; I wouldn't say it was perfect, but given the obviously low budget I was very impressed. Importantly, it was obviously done with love and respect for the original story, unlike most Hollywood adaptations. As you probably know, it is made in the style of a movie from when the original short story was written; black and white, and silent with cue cards.

When I heard that their next project was an adaptation of Whisperer, I was a little surprised. It's not one of my favourite Lovecraft stories; the main character seems to be carrying the idiot ball much of the time, and the ending is (IMO) weak. Combine that with the fact that I don't find it particularly scary (not that it needs to be, but it's obviously meant to be), and the end result is a story I just don't think is great. I still do enjoy it, but I certainly wouldn't have thought it an obvious choice for a movie adaptation.

But my hopes were high nonetheless, partly because the HPLHS' adaptation of Call was so good, and partly because the trailers looked great, and also seemed to indicate some changes to the plot. Since the original story was written a few years after Call, this movie is a talkie, done in the style of the 1930s. That sounded intriguing, too.

Well, I'm pleased to report that Whisperer actually exceeded my expectations. For most of its run, it follows the short story quite closely. Some changes are made for obvious dramatic reasons; the debate in the newspapers is transformed into a radio debate with Charles Fort (!) and the lengthy correspondence in letters is greatly condensed. Our protagonist, Professor Albert Wilmarth, seems less ridiculously naïve here than he does in Lovecraft's story, perhaps because he has less information from the letters to make him suspicious. A few new characters are introduced, not least a colleague of Wilmarth's who has had previous experience with strange cults and weird goings-on, and who warns Wilmarth off getting too deeply involved. Not that he listens, of course...

But the big change is in the final act. Where Lovecraft's story ends, this movie instead flows seamlessly into a huge action sequence. While somehow retaining a sense of faithfulness to Lovecraft's vision, the movie opens up and becomes a pulpy thriller that will feel stylistically very familiar to those who've played Lovecraftian roleplaying games.

There are some flaws with the changes made; for example, no reason is given why the Mi-Go's plan suddenly has to take place now, when they've been here for millennia. But that doesn't really matter; the plot works fine without needing to explain every detail. Some purists may dislike the changes, feeling that the ending in particular is too far removed from the original story. But I felt that the gains far outweighed the losses, though of course someone who liked the original story more than I did might disagree. However, the audience generally seemed to have enjoyed the movie enormously, and certainly everyone I spoke to afterwards was either fairly positive or extremely positive!

The acting is generally good. Matt Foyer, who played the nameless narrator in Call, here demonstrates a very different style of acting as Professor Wilmarth. Barry Lynch as Henry Akeley and Daniel Kaemon as Noyes are also noteworthy. And watch out for the HPLHS' own Andrew Leman as Charles Fort and Sean Branney as B-67, both of whom are great in their small but important roles. Finally, special mention must go to child actress Autumn Wendel, who is outstanding as a new character necessitated by the changes made to the plot.

The effects are generally excellent, especially when you consider that this is a very low-budget movie. Careful effort has been made to design even alien machinery to look like it might have looked had the movie genuinely been made in the 1930s (which obviously helps keep costs down, making a virtue of necessity). The Mi-Go are certainly very effective, though some would criticise the fact that they’ve been done using CGI rather than a 1930s technique like stop-motion (though the CGI is in a "stop-motion-esque" style!). However, after the movie Sean Branney hosted a Q&A session in which, amongst other things, he explained that using CGI had saved them a year of production time! He also justified the decision to change the plot, explaining that in order to make it a feature film, rather than a short, it required a third act, and it made sense to make that third act more action-oriented, since that's undoubtedly what would have been done had it been made in the 1930s.

In conclusion, I loved this movie. I’m actually annoyed I can't watch it again until it comes out on DVD! And I'm greatly looking forward to the next film from the HPLHS, whatever that may be. Purists beware (a bit) but for everyone else, well worth five stars.

[GreatRedShark]

Thanks for the review, Xipuloxx.

[N'gah-Kthun]

There are a few aspects I'm curious about, in particular George Akeley's role in the movie. If I remember correctly, in Lovecraft's story he stays in California and minds his own business for the most part.

[revnye]

I just saw the film at the Seattle International Film Festival and wanted to say I was very happy that they added a happy ending (in my nihilistic world view that is). I was a little worried that there would be some kind of sunshine and bunnies ending that would ruin the whole thing no matter how well they did the rest. I needn't have worried. While it does not conform exactly to the Lovecraft story, they have twisted the story and the ending in a dark way that pleased me greatly.

[Story]

Some recent reviews & interviews -

http://www.filmthreat.com/reviews/36897/

http://thesunbreak.com/2011/06/07/a-...r-in-darkness/

[Cthulhudude]

Man I can not wait to see this one. Been itching for some good Lovecraftian cinema to help cleanse the brain of all the bad HPL-ish movies I have to watch.

[eastern barbarian]

anybody knows when is it going to be available?

[JulieH]

I liked it very much, but I miss the correspondence, and building of the tension from the original story - which was unavoidable, since you can't really do that in film.

On the other hand, I was very impressed with Wilmarth's slow shift from complete surety in his world-view, to coming to believe the weirdness. I pretty much despise the character's intellectual smugness in the original story, and they did him very well.

[Demoriel]

I worked doing Miniatures on the film. Thought i would share some behind the scenes production photos from summer 2010.

[PineBarrens]

Wow! Honestly Demoriel, I thought it was real scenery with a few things superimposed- not models. A testament to your excellent model work- Bravo!

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

My copy arrived on Xmas Eve- a month earlier than they said to expect it!

My 'review'? Yes they depart from the original story- but 1930s Hollywood would've departed a whole lot more (and they'd have included a love story and a happy ending) I love what HPLHS did with it. The creatures are brilliantly designed (enough to inspire me to try sculpting once again?) You MUST sell Mi-Go action figures someday, or even Mi-go keychains! Too bad the Mego Toy company is no more... (Mego Mi-go's???) The alien technology is a perfect mix of retro-futuristic and clunky.

[SPOILER!!] I was so thrilled to see Charles Fort actually portrayed in a movie! That's exactly how I'd picture him. All the professors etc are played brilliantly, and I watched the whole debate a 2nd time even before I'd finished the movie. Only one performance seems a little weak at first, but the character gets fleshed out later.


I rank The Whisperer In Darkness as the single scariest short story I've ever read as an adult (F Marion Crawford's "The Upper Berth" scared me most as a child) So how scary is the movie? Not a fair comparison since I've read the story and played the boardgame (there's a wonderful fan-made "Whisperer" expansion to Arkham Horror called "The Vermont Horror").....but even though I know the story the movie IS scary in parts, and that's saying a lot. This movie really captures the atmosphere and pure weirdness. I give it 2 grafted-on mechanical protuberances up!

[Wraith_Form]

I think it will warrant a Blu-Ray purchase.

Is it actually going to be available in Blu Ray format?!? That'd be astoundingly great!

[jorune]

Thumbs up for Whisperer. Good acting, well paced, nice effects. While Die Farbe was a bit slow paced and lacked music in places, I think Whisperer gets it just right. I think there is real promise in the production team they have assembled. Set design, clothing and props were so evocative and helped greatly.

4/5 stars.

And now to start on the bonus second disc.

[allicorn]

Watched it: remarkable!

A spectacularly professional production - just as we'd expect from HPLHS. Lighting, costume, camera and especially the amazing score really get you believing that the movie dates from its subject's period or thereabouts. Delightful. Lovely beasties too! Some of the best Lovecraft critters ever committed to film, no doubt. I'm not sure I'm 100% sold on the story adaptation but I dare say it'll grow on me.

Once again HPLHS demonstrate the dizzying heights to which Lovecraft fan creativity can ascend.

Alli