Chemical Wedding

Plot synopsis:
Jack Parsons was a brilliant chemist and inventor of the rocket fuel used for the US space flight to the moon. He was also a fanatical believer in the Magic of Aleister Crowley the aging occultist who considered himself 'The Beast' incarnate.In 1947 Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard were performing Crowley's mystic rituals in a house in Pasadena, California. Parsons wrote excitedly to his occult leader, Crowley.'I have had the most devastating experience of my life. I have been in direct touch with One who is most Holy and Beautiful as mentioned in your 'Book of the Law'. First instructions were received through Lafayette Ron Hubbard the seer. I have followed them to the letter. There was a desire for incarnation. I am to act as an instructor, guardian, guide for nine months; then it will be loosed on the world...'Crowley wrote despairingly to a disciple about Parsons:It appears that he has given away both his girl and his money to this writer of science fiction and is now invoking the ritual to produce a MOONCHILD. I am fairly frantic...'Nine months later while being visited by two students from Cambridge, Crowley died of cardiac degeneration. Missing from his personal possessions was his pocket-watch. His funeral took place in the Chapel of the Brighton Crematorium. The final rites were performed by the novelist Louis Marlowe reading extracts from Crowley's 'Book of the Law'. The Brighton Echo denounced the whole ceremony as a Black Mass. In 1952 Jack Parsons was blown up in his laboratory in Pasadena. L. Ron Hubbard died on his yacht as leader of the controversial Church of Scientology.But did the issue end with these three deaths? Would Crowley, as he claimed, ever return from death to rule the world? Why did US astronauts name a crater on the moon after Jack Parsons? Is L. Ron Hubbard really dead? What had been generated by the ceremony in California that seemed to signal Crowley's demise? And what happened to the missing pocket-watch?Unanswered questions till, late in the twentieth century, when Dr. Joshua Mathers brought a 'state of the art' interactive suit from Cal Tech California to Cambridge in England to be hitched up to the Z93, the biggest super-cooled, super-conductive computer in the world.

Tags: cult

Review:
If you have read anything by Crowley, the Satanic Bible, or Marquis de Sade, this movie will fall along those kind of lines and not upset you too much.
Most of the movie is about spouting Crowley's rhetoric, with a few deaths thrown in for good measure.
AKA: Chemical WeddingRating: 3 out of 5Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, OccultDirector: Julian DoyleStars: Robert Ashby, Jared Ashe, Terence Bayler, Antonia Beamish, Esmé Bianco, Geoff Breton, Simon Callow, Jud Charlton, Lucy Cudden, Lily Dumont, Richard FranklinSynopsis: At an English academy the most powerful computer in the world is used to perform time sensitive experiments.
When an experiment goes awry and the spirit of Aleister Crowley inhabits a professor participating in the experiment.Thoughts: I could explain the plot but I can't really do it justice.
The detailed script written by the director and Bruce Dickinson (from the metal legends Iron Maiden) is pretty good with you enough twisted Crowley debauchery to keep you engaged.
As you can guess a horror film that borrows from the depraved life of the "Wickedest Man in the World" gives you such perverted pleasures as orgies and canning.
I was torn when I watched this film - on the one hand, it's a very average film, mostly confusing and random, sometimes poorly acted (and sometimes not) and of a subject matter that I am very critical; on the other hand, if you view it as a (relatively) low-budget, British B-movie it's actually quite good.
But the production and direction of the film is commendable.The basic plot of the film is that Aleister Crowley, "the wickedest man in Britain" (in the early part of the last century - I doubt he'd rank above "dirty old perv" these days) manages to get reincarnated into the body of a Cambridge professor (played by Simon Callow - by far the best part of the film) and starts a 4-day (?
I'd still watch it though, just the once.I realise that this constitutes a critique rather than a review, but it's difficult to sum up what happens in the film other than what I've just said - it's a bit random, and if you're into thelemic mysticism you'll probably enjoy it, but unfortunately I view the whole subject as occultism for people who are too scared to throw off the shackles of catholic Judaism, and compensate for their reticence to abandon Christianity for something more pure with an unhealthy interest in the Christian devil.
I would not pay too much attention to our American friend's review.One surely cannot have an opinion when he knows nothing of the film makers main character, who's nature and role, played an influential part in the world of the occult!
I could make a few assumptions that would lean on inadequate notions but lets get back to the film.I found it quirky and at times a little to jazzed up.If you're into magik you will adore any scene that features the beast.If you are not into the man or magik, than it's not really for you.You will just end up writing something silly like the gentleman from America and start waffling on about politics!.
The premise was interesting though a bit convoluted.The acting and directing were acceptable.The one thing that ruined this film for me was the sound editing.
As one might expect from Crowley (and Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson), chaos ensues.My background on this film was mixed.
I found the idea very clever and original, Simon Callow's portrayal of Crowley to be flawless (especially playing two diverse characters), and the film's pushing of the limits to be a welcome surprise.
The film takes place in 2000, so the Internet should be available, and even without it, any occult book should have one of the more common photos (such as with Crowley wearing the pyramid on his head).
This was so bad it makes Dee Snider's Strangeland look entertaining.The actor who plays the reborn Aleister Crowley seems to be the only person having any fun.
I don't know much about Crowley but this guy seems more like the reincarnation of the Marquis De Sade.Quickly, his actions become tiresome and repetitive.
The character's motivation for what he's doing becomes lost in the endless sea of Mumbo Jumbo and fake science.In the end there is a smug attempt to try to get the words "social commentary" into people's descriptions of this movie and gain a little favor with left-leaning critics and probably radical British clerics as well.
After all, this is a movie!Do not feel bad if this over your head, but not everything can be as silly and foolish as Avatar and the likes....If you have ever been interested in the occult, then is for you.
Both pioneers in their way, both fully aware of the other, sharing an initiate in the shape of controversial 1940s American rocket scientist Jack Parsons.A film featuring Crowley and L Ron arguing the theological toss would be a fascinating prospect, but although the association is alluded to, and quietly dropped, that's not what we get here.Instead Chemical Wedding is a campy horror farce with sci-fi trappings (think Prince Of Darkness meets The Lawnmower Man) from the Iron Maiden man.
Some might call that gilding the lily.The plot: dashing American scientist Dr Joshua Mathers (Weber) brings his astounding virtual reality suit to Crowley's real-life alma mater, Trinity College, Cambridge, to be linked up to supercomputer Z93.
And emerges with a newly-shorn head, and a predilection for wild orgies (complete with naked violinists), the whole world domination jag - and sacrificial scarlet women, with whom to facilitate the ultimate occult ceremony, the eponymous 'Wedding'.This being a Dickinson script, Aleister is soon roaming the city hypnotizing young women into taking all their clothes off: inquisitive red-headed 'Varsity' reporter Lia (Cuddon) had better watch her back and front.
The self-proclaimed Beast 666 was practically a one-man PR machine in any case and Kenneth Anger's experimental shorts aside, it is genuinely surprising that there has been such a dearth of biopics or related features about him.As evidenced by the studious press notes, Dickinson and director Julian Doyle are obviously in thrall to their subject - few self-respecting metallers aren't - and have done some homework, with character names, for example, taken from real-life Crowley associates.
Anyone that has any real knowledge about the life and work of Aleister Crowley will recognise in this movie nothing whatsoever of any merit.
Given what a filthy, perverted, deviant 'beast' Aleister Crowley was, it's not surprising to find that this film, in which the influential 1920s occultist is a central figure, is packed full of all kinds of depravity.
without an in-depth knowledge of sexual magick and the philosophy of Thelema (Crowley's religion), the majority of this film will probably make no sense whatsoever (although I also suspect that even devout Crowley acolytes will be non-plussed by most of what they see).My limited knowledge of the subject matter certainly meant that I didn't have a clue what was going on for much of the time, and I found the stuff about the super computer and the virtual reality cyber-suit even more inexplicable; this inaccessibility led to utter confusion which ultimately led to utter boredom, despite such lurid weirdness as Simon Callow sending a very unusual message via fax, a whore nailed to a door (hey, that rhymes!), Callow peeing over his students during an unconventional lecture about Shakespeare's Hamlet, and a pan-sexual satanic orgy featuring people doing all manner of unspeakably naughty things..
The story is that Aleister Crowley is reincarnated in the year 2000 and gets up to stuff, which involves urinating on students, crucifying cats and stealing other people's clothes.
Crowley's goal in the movie is to perform a ritual called Chemical Wedding, but it is never made clear what exactly the ritual involves, or why Crowley needs it.
The movie uses a lot of big words it obviously doesn't understand, probably in an attempt to impress viewers that are even more ignorant, but succeeds only at being an incomprehensible jumble of occult and scientific concepts.
Well, as much as I like Bruce Dickinson as a musician, I can't say the same about his movie producing skills.
The story had some interesting parts, the script made me think about many Iron Maiden/Bruce Dickinson songs, but other than that, I think any of us here might have done a better work.
Nothing new to offer as plots go, really.Finally, I didn't think the soundtrack matched the scenes at any given time and I would much rather listen to Dickinson's music outside the context of this movie!BUT...
On the whole I like this movie because its about the only film I know that deals with Alaistor Crowley - an incredible man who is long overdue for a major film of his life.
Unfortunately the makers of this film go for the easy option and make Crowley into a right evil sod..........killing people whenever it takes his fancy.........all in pursuit of the "chemical wedding".Now in reality Crowley sounds like he was a man to be feared and avoided but he didn't go around killing people - despite all the newspaper garbage of the time about him being the most wicked man in the world, etc, etc.
However despite those reservations its still quite an unusual film and well worth seeing - even if its just for Simon Callows marvellous OTT turn as Crowley.
I thought at times the movie was more gratuitous than it needed to be for no good reason...
I also got confused at the end, but to be fair it's probably because the copy I watched was scratched during about three minutes- right at the climax of the movie.I thought it was interesting though.
If Bruce Dickinson writes another movie, I'll watch it...
Well it's finally here.a lot has been written about Bruce's first effort in cinema.I think it's not a bad film-confusing in places and i'm still undecided on the ending and if i've worked it out correctly!There is a LOT of quotations and science and physics mentioned in the story and some of the cinema goers in my sitting looked baffled by a lot of it.Basically the story involves the reincarnation of the spirit of Aleister Crowley(the so called Beast) in the body of stuttering professor Haddo at a Cambridge university.How this is done involves some sort of Dr who type space suit and some computer binary programme of Crowley's mind.Haddo is played by thespian Simon Callow and he is without question the best thing in this film.He really revels in playing the part and he has to do some pretty wild things like urinate over his students,shave a prostitute and masturbate whilst being caned to invoke a spell.The film has a 70's feel like Hammer Horror and is going to be classed as a cult film for sure.There are some very funny moments mixed in amongst the debauchery and for the Maiden fans some metal mixed in with George Formby!
You can tell it was made on a limited budget as the camera-work could be better and the editing seems a bit mish mash in places(possibly because of cuts made)Director is Julian Doyle more known for his work with Monty Python and he co wrote the script with Bruce.Bruce himself makes a few cameos in the film.Lucy Cudden who plays Leah I think will go far.A great newcomer who has the right mix of vulnerability and sexual magnetism.John Shrapnel as Crowley at the start does what is required.The rest of the cast are largely forgettable although Porridge fans will recognise the adult Symons!
The film is about the reincarnation of the legendary Magus, Aleister Crowley, (dubbed the Wickedest man in the World) who has influenced such varied people as the Beatles, Charles Manson and Winston Churchill.
The film opens in 1947 as the ageing Aleister Crowley, played earthily by John Shrapnel, is visited by a young initiate, to plan an important life saving ritual.
(I checked this on the internet - all true) Crowley's rage at Hubbard fires off a heart attack and he dies.We then fast forward to the end of the 20th Century, Cambridge University, where scientist Dr Joshua Mathers is about to integrate a super-cooled computer, with the human brain.
But assistant programmer, Dr Neuman, is an obsessive follower of Aleister Crowley, and has reduced his occult rites to a series of quantum equations.
Crowley always claimed he would rise from the dead and from this point on Haddo, begins playing out all Crowley's most bizarre rituals, from his orgies involving Sexual Magic to showing his distaste by crapping on the Dean's desk.
(supposedly the original Crowley's calling card for his enemies) The central part of the film is almost impossible to describe since it moves from theories of quantum physics, to occultism, to conspiracies all with a wonderfully outrageous central performance by Simon Callow.
Finally, concealed in a Masonic Temple, Haddo plans to perform Crowley's most powerful rite, the Chemical Wedding, to fix himself in time.
There then follows a wonderful battle between ancient magic and modern science, which results in a twist ending that would be bad to reveal here.Aleister Crowley was weird, knowledgeable, funny, gross, intelligent and extremely entertaining.
This is a film about the reincarnation of the influential Occultist, Aleister Crowley, as such it must be almost incomprehensible without an understanding of the man who was called the 'Wickedest man in the World'.Crowley was born in 1875.
It is here that the film begins with a visit to the dying Crowley by Symonds a young initiate.
Crowley went one better and announced he was the reincarnation of Eliphas Levi, Count Caliastro and nine others going back to the Chinese sage Ko Hsuen.The film divides into four days  each one headed by the title 'Day 1', 'Day 2' etc..
It is believed that Crowley made several attempts to beget a 'Magical child', none of which worked and instead he fictionalised his attempts in a book called "Moonchild".
The name Haddo comes from the Somerset Maughan novel 'The Magician' based on Aleister Crowley - who sometimes used it as a pseudonym,Every event in the film mirrors a Crowley story.
In the film Mathers spits out the drink, which is why he doesn't get involved.Central to the film is the extraordinary performance of Simon Callow as this complex character, who gloried in his notoriety, calling himself the Beast 666, performed obscene rituals of Sexual Magic and trips to the Astral plane to meet his spiritual leaders; yet wrote sensitive poetry, was a master chess player, a champion mountaineer and astonishingly studied Quantum Physics.It is this clash between science and magic, which gives the wonderful twist ending to the film.
The uncertainty principal suggested that only when the experimenter opens the box does he know if the cat is dead or alive.The film does take Crowley's nasty side to an extreme, obviously for dramatic purposes, but I am sure the old scoundrel would have loved it..
Decent Low-Budget Film, but helps to know the subject matter.
The filming was actually better than I had expected it to be given the low budget, and the acting, while nothing particularly mind-blowing, was more than passable.The actual premise of the movie could have used a little work, especially with the science aspects.
But, apart from the virtual reality suit and the often obscure, misapplied physics concepts, the creators did moderatly well with the necessary subject matter, though perhaps a bit more research could have been done.Some things the average viewer may like to know after viewing the film, to show that it was, perhaps, better thought out than they might have previously thought are as follows: Crowley did indeed have an assistant/student named Victor when he was alive.
This film pays homage to Samuel Mathers, Crowley's enemy and head of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, by having him be, in a sense, reincarnated to finish the magical battle against Crowley.
The chemical wedding was quite exaggerated in this story, but one can easily find information on that as well.Another important note: this film heavily exaggerated Crowley's "evil side." It is said that the worst thing Crowley ever did during his life was crucify a frog, and it would have been quite absurd for him to kill a human as flippantly as in this movie, as that would have directly violated his own moral code.
Crowley was indeed a white magician, which made it quite absurd to see an inverted pentagram of satanic nature (the letters at the points) during the ending ritual of the chemical wedding, or inscribed in blood upon the wall.A question I had at the end of the movie: the creation of the moonchild was said to have occurred in the late 1940s, so how is Mathers so young?
Probably better as a book, fails as a film.
In a nutshell, a virtual reality suit is programmed with the rituals of Aleister Crowley and the spirit of said Crowley goes on to inhabit Professor Haddo who goes through a major transformation.
The film starts to feel like a series of mini lectures about the background of all things scientific and occult and, whilst interesting, it really does start to get in the way of plot and pacing.
What follows are a bunch of lame sex scenes (God, the Brits can even make SEX boring!) The movie has a nice little bit of social satire- That they hit the reset button at the end and announce Crowley might have gotten out in an alternate universe, which is now more evil...
From the lead singer of Iron Maiden comes the story of a science experiment that goes wrong and puts Alister Crowley into the body of a mild mannered college professor.
I don't know what it is but this film just doesn't work.
First the science lab stuff feels like a bad TV movie.
The other problem is Simon Callow as the professor who becomes Crowley.