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Miniatures Adventure => Gothic Horror => Topic started by: oldskoolrebel on 23 January 2011, 01:29:04 PM

Title: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: oldskoolrebel on 23 January 2011, 01:29:04 PM: I've been painting a some of my Gothic horror collection the last few days, and I've had music or movies on in the background. Now my question to all the gothic horror aficionados is what films/music etc inspire your gothic horror games?

I thought I'd start the list off

Movies
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)- for me this is the best Dracula film. Oldman is an excellent Dracula plus the story sticks pretty close to the original.
Nosferatu, A symphony of horror(1922)- well shot interesting movie, sticks close enough to the Dracula story to get it banned in America although diverges quite dramatically towards the end. Excellent movie, not my favourite but has a very special place in my heart.
Interview with a Vampire (1994)- Another well made vampire classic, quite different to many of the vampire films out that. Also takes an interesting perspective in that it's told prom a vampires pov and also spans around one-hundred years.
Shutter Island (2010)- Ok maybe not quite 'gothic horror' more 'call of cthulhu' but an interesting watch either way. Around halfway through the movie you start to examine the story wondering what is true and you're left guessing until the last 15mins.
American Werewolf in London (1981)- A black comedy, although its set in London it is not set in Victorian London, but this aside an excellent werewolf film!
Sleepy Hollow (1999)- Eerie happenings on the other side of the Atlantic, and Johnie Depps character has to sort it out. A good solid film in my opinion with some lovely imagery.
The Wolfman (2010)- Interesting film, not the best but it definitely has gothic horror on par.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (2003)- A BBC adaptation of Conan Doyle. I really loved this film, it was released around Christmas time and had a definite feeling of the old Victorian Ghost stories.
The Ninth Gate (2000)- Devil worshiping cults, magical books, and a flawed protagonist, all dealt with in a sensible believable way- what more do you want? Some people complained of the slow pace or the lack of action but this all added to the theme of the film for me.

Music
Not so many here, but soundtracks are always good.
Apocalyptica- A Finnish band containing 4 cellists who play very atmospheric music which at times borders on heavy metal.

Add your own suggestions,

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: The_Beast on 23 January 2011, 02:14:02 PM: I suspect there will be a chorus of individual items that will resolve into a central theme: Hammer Films of the 60's and 70's. lol

Doug

PS I just recalled a few recent era Dr Who, particularly visiting Charles Dickens that had earnest intentions in this way. For a not-Victorian gothic horror, I thought the library episode was also effective.
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Malamute on 23 January 2011, 02:24:16 PM: Quote from: The_Beast on 23 January 2011, 02:14:02 PM
I suspect there will be a chorus of individual items that will resolve into a central theme: Hammer Films of the 60's and 70's.

Yep, the Best of Hammer with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, particularly the 1958 Dracula, my favourite along with Brides of Dracula and Dracula Prince of Darkness.

We often have Bram Stoker's Dracula soundtrack on whenever we play Gothic Horror games, it's particularly atmospheric.
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Plynkes on 23 January 2011, 02:27:37 PM: Quote from: The_Beast on 23 January 2011, 02:14:02 PM
PS I just recalled a few recent era Dr Who, particularly visiting Charles Dickens that had earnest intentions in this way. For a not-Victorian gothic horror, I thought the library episode was also effective.

During the Tom Baker era they had a period when they were even more full-on with a Gothic Horror vibe, both in space and in Victorian London.
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Conquistador on 23 January 2011, 02:33:15 PM: When (late 1950's) I was young (full of my vivid imagination) and home alone for one of the first times after school on a grey rainy winter day I saw on our B&W (only kind then I think) TV the Wolf Man (1941 movie) - despite what now is seen as low tech special affects it scared me so much that for decades after I would briefly see in my mind the movie images every time I saw a full Moon on a cloudy night and shiver. :o

I was so scared I couldn't get off the couch and turn off the TV. o_o

Still can't watch most horror movies because of the dreams for days afterwards. :'(

Now scary themed music is good only I don't own any specific from movies. :) I think we have Night on Bald Mountain from Fantasia on VCR! ??? 8) Maybe even on DVD! :D

Gracias,

Glenn
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Stavros Banjo on 23 January 2011, 03:12:36 PM: Apart from the original 1922 Nosferatu, which you've already mentioned, my favourite has to be the 1967 comedy horror "The Fearless Vampire Killers" directed by Roman Polanski. How could anybody fail to love such a cinematic masterpiece? :D
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Funghy-Fipps on 23 January 2011, 05:32:29 PM: Okay, from Hammer you really must get the following:

The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Dracula (1958)
The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)
The Brides of Dracula (1960)
The Evil of Frankenstein (1964)
The Gorgon (1964)
Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)
Frankenstein Created Woman (1967)
The Devil Rides Out (1968)
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)
Hands of the Ripper (1971)
Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971)
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1973)

I'm not exaggerating when I claim that they're all damn good, though perhaps the earlier productions are slightly superior.

Other vintage non-Hammer films that warrant investigating are:

The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967)
Witchfinder General (1968)
Cry of the Banshee (1970)
Blood on Satan's Claw (1971)
Vampyres (1974)
Dracula (1979)

Music-wise something moody like Sibelius is rather evocative, I think. Also the short stories of authors like Amelia B. Edwards, Ambrose Bierce, M.R. James, Sheridan La Fanu, Algernon Blackwood, William Hope Hodgson, etc, etc, are worth reading and perhaps convey more 'Gothic' atmosphere than any of the above-mentioned films. Here (http://www.litgothic.com/Texts/alberic.html) is a link to M.R. James' short story Canon Alberic's Scrapbook* as an example of how good this literature can be. I'm going to go and lie down now...

*Just realised there are some typos on this etext. See if you can spot the first one!
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Malamute on 23 January 2011, 06:29:54 PM: The Vampire Lovers (1970)Hammer films is also good. As a bonus it's got Ingrid Pitt showing her boobies ;D
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Funghy-Fipps on 23 January 2011, 07:18:38 PM: Quote from: Malamute on 23 January 2011, 06:29:54 PM
The Vampire Lovers (1970)Hammer films is also good. As a bonus it's got Ingrid Pitt showing her boobies ;D

I quite forgot the Karnstein Trilogy - The Vampire Lovers (1970), Lust for a Vampire (1971) and Twins of Evil (1972) - when I composed my little list. As Malamute rightly points out The Vampire Lovers certainly boasts plenty of bums n' boobage (as does Lust..., come to think of it) and as such is also highly recommended (as are the other two, particularly Twins...)! Incidentally, why do our discussions of Hammer films always degenerate into a slavering orgy of breast-worship? I mean the latter Hammer films had, er, so much more to offer than female flesh like um, er, okay I'm going to shut up now.
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: The Travelling Man on 24 January 2011, 10:41:18 AM: Stepping away from Hammer for a moment... I might add Brotherhood of the Wolf, Sleepy Hollow, Black Death (evocative but more 1342!), From Hell, the 1979 Nosferatu remake, Ginger Snaps Back (colonial lycans)...

I'd like to also see people's favourites as far as Gothic/Victoran/period horror novels...
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: richarDISNEY on 25 January 2011, 02:45:13 PM: For music, take a look at Nox Arcana and Midnight Syndicate are always good.
Also the soundtracks for Ninth Gate and Coppola's Dracula are wonderful for mood.
Also the soundtracks for Solomon Kane and the recent Season of the Witch.
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: oldskoolrebel on 25 January 2011, 02:53:52 PM: Quote from: The Travelling Man on 24 January 2011, 10:41:18 AM
Stepping away from Hammer for a moment... I might add Brotherhood of the Wolf, Sleepy Hollow, Black Death (evocative but more 1342!), From Hell, the 1979 Nosferatu remake, Ginger Snaps Back (colonial lycans)...

I'd like to also see people's favourites as far as Gothic/Victoran/period horror novels...

Not heard too much about From Hell any good?

As for books, there is the obvious Dracula. But poems and short stories by Poe are also pretty good. Of the top of my head The Séance by John Harwood- an interesting book. I'll see what else I can think of when I get home.

Interesting to see what others will suggest

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: The_Beast on 25 January 2011, 03:09:34 PM: I suspect it will be hugely YMMV, but I rather appreciated From Hell. Hope you will as well.

If it helps, I also rather liked Brotherhood of the Wolf, somewhat less so but still enjoyed Sleepy Hollow.

I may have to track down Ginger Snaps Back; looked like dreck to me, but I can wade through dreck for colonial puppy boys. ;->=

As for why...Hammer, it's not like they capitalized, nay, DWELLED, on it themselves... lol

Doug
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Skrapwelder on 25 January 2011, 03:43:59 PM: For books I recently read Drood and The Terror, both by Dan Simmons. They had a nice Gothic feel to them and are both excellent books.

Not Horror but Wuthering Heights is good.

Movies: From Hell sets a great mood.

Gothic and Lair of the White Worm, though very wierd are good fun. Almost like Fearless Vampire Killers on hallucinogens.
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Donpimpom on 25 January 2011, 03:49:16 PM: I would add these ones to the list, some maybe not stricly gothic but quite "gothic horror" inspiring to me
-the company of wolves http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087075/
-Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0010323/
-The Body Snatcher http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037549/
-Freaks http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022913/
-M http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022100/
-Shadows and Fog http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105378/
-The Brothers Grimm http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0355295/ I found the forest scenes deeply gothic, maybe because I'm a Terry Gilliam's settings fan
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Funghy-Fipps on 25 January 2011, 08:00:46 PM: Musically Listz's Totentanz piece is rather chilling (this is not the whole version):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2NnN_IlmtE
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: The_Beast on 03 February 2011, 02:05:07 PM: Any love for Grieg's Hall of the Mountain King?

The main theme has always been devilish to me, but may be a bit dramatic (and loud) at points for a sit down game. ;->=

Similarly with Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice and Moussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain.

I suspect we need dark and moody AND constant.

Doug
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: jet on 16 February 2011, 11:54:02 PM: Every time I sit down to paint Gothic Horror minis or to work on terrain for Dertflinghan, I always have Sleepy Hollow on in the background. Such an atmospheric movie, and with Christina Ricci going around in a tight bodice. It's really a winner however you look at it. ;D

One movie that really made an impact on me as a kid was The Pit and the Pendulum starring Vincent Price.

Finally, although it takes some creative liberties with the original story, I found the movie Mary Reilly to be quite dark and moody with John Malkovich playing an excellent Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. For those not familiar, it retells The Strange Tale Of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (one of my favourite GH books) from the perspective of one of his housemaids instead of from the perspective of Mr. Utterson.
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: Melnibonean on 17 March 2011, 10:46:59 PM: Book-wise:

The Anubis Gates - Tim Powers. Egyption mysticism in Victorian London, evil clowns and gypsies. What more do you need?

Drood - by Dan Simmons. Based on Dicken's last (unfinished) novel. The dirty world of underworld Victorian London. Opium dens and mezmerism... Creepy.

The Dracular Dossier - James Reese. A great story written in a historical/fiction style reminicent of the "Journal Entry" style of Dracula. Bram Stoker hunts Jack the Ripper. The results inspire his inspiration for his famous Count.

The List of Seven - Mark Frost. Another historical/fiction this time featuring Conan Doyle. Another great story. As above the adventure becomes the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes.

Movie-wise:

Although it's not strictly Gothic Horror - the original Hellraiser. It's the atmosphere of this move. The feeling of impending doom. The cenobites only appear for less that 9 minutes but they totaly dominate the whole movie and all they do is threaten. You never see them do anything violent. Great soundtrack too.

The Masque of the Red Death - Roger Corman's take on the Poe tale. Vincent Price as Prince Prospero. Great stuff.

Sweeny Todd - A fantastic look. The movie's okay. Helena Bonham Carter just looks great.
Title: Re: Gothic Horror Insperation- Movies, Music etc
Post by: HerbyF on 18 March 2011, 12:43:28 PM: Music: All three of the Enigma CDs, just about any Gregorian Chant recordings. No need to really listen, just great mood setting back ground music.