The Lair of the White Worm (1988)

What if Monty Python made a vampire movie ?

What if Monty Python made a vampire movie ?

That would make a good tag line to describe this film.

And while our baddie is not a vampire, but rather a
snake goddess, a snake goddess with really big fangs,
you get the idea.

Hugh Grant, early in his career plays a hair-brained
dare-do-all. Catherine Oxenberg is his dumb,
blond bombshell girlfriend (apologies to Ms.
Oxenberg). And some awesome british character
actors fill out the entourage.

And how does one go about fighting a snake goddess ?
Why with Hindu snake charmer music blasting from the
castle walls over loud speakers and an angry little
snake-hating mongoose of course!

This is not your typical Horror movie with axe and
chainsaw weilding psychopaths. But rather evil in the
disguise of shiney latex bodysuits, 6-inch stilettos
and black lace garter belts.

Filmed on location in merry old England amidst dreary
dairy farms and haunted castles our director
expertly assembles his cast of good guys and a really
bad, bad girl, played with a mesmerizing performance
by Amanda Donahoe. Remember her as Jim
Carrey's boss in Liar Liar ?

And lets not forget the eerie and sexy soundtrack
laced with synthisers and sexy saxaphone. And oh yes, the
occasional bagpipes! And a rousing song about the
dread Dampton worm by the local village rock band is very
entertaining.

Miss Donahoe steals the show from Mr. Grant and Ms.
Oxenberg. In one scene she literally slithers across
the stage thanks to some tricky camera work by
director Ken Russell.

And believe me Mr. Russell is full of tricks in this
Infernal Parade of Mischievous Mayhem. Half the
time instead of trying to scare you to death, the
director is out to make you laugh to death, and then gasp to
death at all the crazy chaos he delivers with dry
british humor making this a one of a kind romp.

Not for the faint of heart, the easily offended, the
traditional teen movie slasher fan or probably anyone
else for that matter !!!

You will either hate this film or be really, really
embarressed to tell your friends how much you love
this Masterpiece of Camp.Lair of the White Worm February 17, 2008

Very Weird Story from Ken Russell

Words cannot describe my feelings when I first saw it about ten years ago. I have seen it again and I still don't know how I should write about it, but one thing is clear; the film is never boring. Ken Russell's "The Lair of the White Worm" is certainly "weird" and "campy," but those words are not strong enough to express my impression after watching this film, which is fascinating in more than one way.

The story opens with a curious skull found by archaeologist Angus (Peter Capaldi) in the ruins of a convent. It is only the beginning of a series of weird occurrences including the return of seductive, evil, venom-spitting Lady Sylvia Marsh (intentionally and delightfully over-the-top Amanda Donohoe), who plans to do something very bad and bizarre for a strange creature that lives deep in the cave.

Oh, and don't forget the legend of D'Ampton Worm (told in a catchy song) and Lord James D'Ampton (young Hugh Grant) who just inherited the estate, funny dialogue delivered in a deliberately theatrical fashion and weird hallucinations about Jesus Christ, a big white snake, nuns and Roman soldiers assaulting them. Roger Ebert in his review (two stars out of four) compared this film with Roger Corman's AIP films, but whatever people say about his B-movies, Corman was never called blasphemous. After all "White Worm" is directed by the person who did "Tommy," "Altered States," "Crimes of Passion," "Salome's Last Dance" and "Lady Chatterley."

Besides these extraordinary visions that you must see for yourself, Ken Russell should be praised for one thing, and that is, 95 per cent of the film's updated Bram Stoker story does NOT happen the original novel, usually regarded as the least successful one from the creator of Dracula. And try to find Gina McKee who is to co-star with Hugh Grant in "Notting Hill" 10 years later. February 10, 2008

Can we stop for a bite?

Angus Flint (Peter Capaldi), archaeologist is rooting around an old convent when he finds a rather toothy skull of a supposedly unrecorded beastie. He may have uncovered a lot more.

Some times legend is based on more than facts. And what you don't know may bite you.

I have to admit I did not read the book. I have seen other Ken Russell movies; but I do not recognize his style. However wyrmen works as well if not better than bats in that part of the world. This movie has everything that makes up a good horror film. There are victims, unaware good guys and even a few "stay in the car" scenes. There is even a song and a tune to go with the story.

As with most good DVD's the goodies are almost as good as the film is.
February 10, 2008

Ken Russell satisfies a taste for the bizarre...

Leave it to director Ken Russell to find an obscure Bram Stoker novel and take its most exploitive elements and turn it into a bloodfest of snakes, vampires, virgin sacrifices, phallic symbols, Christian symbolism and more. He throws in some comic book slashings along with some sly humor to create a tacky Gothic horror called THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM. It kept me awake until the last shot where the dimwit hero HUGH GRANT is about to find out he's made another mistake before the screen fades to black. ("How about stopping for a bite?"). This must have been the film that first made Grant known to American audiences.

He plays an aristocrat who is attracted to a new neighbor whom he later learns is a woman (AMANDA DONOHOE) who is keeper of a giant worm waiting to devour people whole if she decides to feed victims to it. She's played with delicious relish by Donohoe, who picks up a scout trudging along a deserted country road and must quickly dispose of him in a bath when Grant knocks on her door.

It's weird stuff from start to finish, but try to look away! It's typical Ken Russell overkill--or should I say overbite--since much of the action involves vampirism and some friendly suburbanites who suddenly grow fangs. Handsomely photographed in color with attractive settings indoor and out, it provides a steady mix of laughter and fright while managing to be entertaining despite the overly weird material.

CATHERINE OXENBERG plays the virginal heroine who falls under the spell of the demonic woman, at her best when forced to assume a vacant expression. PETER CAPALDI is excellent as Hugh's friend who comes to her aid before the white worm can do its work and claim another victim.

Silly stuff, but if you like the work of Ken Russell, you should find it extremely interesting to watch.


December 8, 2007

Campy Cult Movie with the usual cast of creeps and evildoers

A cult movie that will thrill Hugh Grant Fans and anyone who likes Ken Russell movies. A lot of the regular cast and crew. An archaeologist digs up a massive skull of an ancient snake or white worm. A strange woman moves into the neighbourhood and the local lord's girlfriend disappears as does a boy scout. This movie has snakes, snake charmers, naked priestesses, innocent young women hostages who manage to keep their underwear clean after days in captivity, brave men, vampires, the lot.

You're gonna love it. November 30, 2007

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