Rating of
3/4
Don't be afraid to watch; you won't turn to stone!
kcvidkid - wrote on 04/15/08
During the last three months, I've been obesessed with Hammer Films, collecting and reading as much as I can about them, as well as the British horror movie in general. However, I've not actually watched any of them. When I bought a "bootleg" copy of "The Gorgon" on eBay, I was for some reason eager to watch it right away.
Having read that it was a critical failure and a disappointment even to Hammer fans, I was not expecting much from it. But I was pleasantly surprised. It had all the characteristics I remembered from Hammer: eerie atmosphere, unsettling music, above average acting, a few scares and (of course) Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.
In general, it's not all that original, following the same formula as any of Hammer's Frankenstein or Dracula movies (from what I can remember of those). But specifically, it's unique in that its monster comes not from "modern" literature, but rather from Greek mythology.
Yes, the movie has more talk than action, but (again) I think that was characteristic of Hammer. And the plot does squander an opportunity to surprise with its revelation of the woman whose body is inhabiting the evil spirit of the gorgon. But I was not necessarily bothered by a common complaint of the movie: poor special effects. Although they may have limited actual appearances of the monster, a crutch that audiences must have these days, I found it quite effective for 1964 horror.
Not one of Hammer's best, I hope, but nevertheless entertaining.
