The Call of Cthulhu

Andrew Leman's The Call of Cthulhu is an extremely low-budget attempt to film a 1926 story by legendary horror writer H.P. Lovecraft in the style of a contemporary black-and-white silent film. The story revolves around one man's effort to uncover the secret that haunted his late great-uncle, an archaeologist, for years: the import of the cult of Cthulhu, one of the bloodthirsty “Old Gods,” whose return is prophesied. Narrative elements include mysterious dreams, apparent madness, and a disastrous visit to the island where Cthulhu dwells. In trying to stick closely to its source, the film relies heavily on title cards (sample: “Great Cthulhu waits dreaming in the sunken city of R'lyeh. The stars will again be right, and He shall return.”), and its imagery is drawn from the impressionistic cinematic style of the 1920s, employing lots of shadows and weird camera angles. But the filmmaker's reach sadly exceeds his grasp: the tale itself never seems anything less than ludicrous, while the chintzy look of the film—with its cardboard sets, exaggerated acting, and not-so-special effects—is likely to incite laughter rather than chills. While Lovecraft enthusiasts might find this to be a hoot, others are advised not to heed this Call. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include deleted scenes, a “making of” featurette, stills galleries, and a trailer. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a disappointing film.] (F. Swietek)