The Gorgon

Plot synopsis:
In a small European town, an old castle was once inhabited by three sisters. No, there was nothing normal about them, for they were The Gorgons. The most infamous was Medusa until her head of snake laden hair was cut off. Fear has swallowed the town because they believe that either Euryale or Medera,
still live there. Dr. Namaroff (Peter Cushing) is the first to discover the awful truth as the immortal Gorgon has taken a human form. The human that she posses is Carla, Namaroff's assistant. She does not know what is happening to her due to the fact that she blacksout when the Gorgon takes her over. She and her love interest Paul believe that the Dr. is lying because he is jealous. As the number of murders mount, the two men fight. Finally the awful truth is discovered and Paul and the Dr. fall victim to The Gorgan's power and are turned to stone. The only one left who knows the secret of her power is Prof. Meister (Christopher Lee). It is up to him to take her head and break the curse forever or to fail and doom more of the townspeople. He takes his sword and finds the evil beast from ancient mythology, and luckily a mirror in her castle.

Tags: gothic

Review:
Typically, the DivX edition I watched was plagued by artifacts and a few jump-cuts (not to mention being in the odious pan-and-scan format); however, I was very glad to have finally caught up with it – especially in view of the DD Home Video company’s recent folding (this had been mentioned as one of a possible number of Columbia/Hammer DVD releases).Peter Cushing is rather unsympathetic and pitiful here (but still commanding as ever); Christopher Lee (playing much older than his years and who only really comes onto the scene during the last half-hour) is his usual pompous self; Richard Pasco, then, makes for an unusual hero.
Other notable cast members include police chief Patrick Troughton, Michael Goodliffe (as Pasco’s father, who along with his other son, falls victim to The Gorgon) and Jack Watson as Cushing’s over-eager aide.In most aspects, this is a typical Hammer product from their 1955-68 heyday: rich-looking (production design courtesy of Bernard Robinson) but essentially undernourished – the monster ‘attacks’ being centered around one family unit, while the much-feared castle seems to be situated in the immediate vicinity of the local inn!
All the key characters in the film are driven by the most desperate love: the pregnant Sascha in the opening scenes, Professor Heitz mourning and defending a lost son, Carla and Paul in their foredoomed affair, Namaroff oppressing Carla and torturing himself with the love she can never reciprocate, Ratoff(who might at first seem a token thug)worshipping Carla as devoutly as is master does, even Christopher Lee's celibate Meister has a father's anxious protectiveness towards Paul.
Its premise is daring and imaginative - a female spectre so hideous that all who gaze on her are turned to stone, a power even more unnerving than the physical ferocity of lycanthropy or vampirism.It boasts a wealth of Hammer expertise:  Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are at their peak; John Gilling scripted lucidly; James Bernard's score is one of his finest, the familiar overwrought strings underlaid with a spectral organ effect; and  Michael Reed's pathecolor photography defines the Hammer look', all sombre interiors and gorgeous autumnal forests.
Karl Meister (Christopher Lee) come to Vandorf to investigate the murder of Paul´s father and brother, the discover that the local Dr. Namaroff (Peter Cushing), his assistant Carla Hoffman (Barbara Shelley), the inspector and the residents are hiding the mystery of the Gorgon."The Gorgon" is another great film by Hammer.
Directed by their best director, Terence Fisher, and with the stars Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Barbara Shelley, "The Gorgon" has an engaging but predictable story, wonderful cinematography and good performances.
Aside from the fact that it stars Hammer's two biggest actors - Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing - The Gorgon also features a fairly original cinematic monster, and it makes for a great fun watch!
As the title suggests, the film focuses on a mysterious 'Gorgon', a woman with a head full of snakes that can turn people to stone just by looking at them.
The fact that this film stars both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee is definitely to its advantage, although it is unfortunate (as is the case with many of their joint ventures) that they don't get to spend a lot of screen time together.
It has to be said that the special effects are a bit shoddy and the monster doesn't look particularly scary; but stuff like that is part of the charm of Hammer Horror, and personally - I wouldn't have it any other way!
No living thing survived and the spectre of death hovered in waiting for her next victim."Directed by Terence Fisher for Hammer Film Productions, The Gorgon stars Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley and Richard Pasco.
But cest la vie, the story is such we have to have these close ups, so lets just embrace this minor itch for existing in a time before CGI and applaud its adherence to the Gothic tradition that the film faithfully captures.Tho featuring the big Hammer Horror hitters Cushing & Lee, it's Barbara Shelley who really takes the honours.
This is an enjoyable rather forgotten movie from the Hammer studio's, staring both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee again.I particularly liked the atmosphere of the movie.
Other damn good reasons to watch "The Gorgon" include: the production company (Hammer), the director (Terence Fisher) and the fact that it's another film pairing two of the most legendary genre icons that ever lived: Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Granted, they share very few scenes together and actually Christopher Lee only appears late in the film, but still their mutual presence adds a whole lot of charm to an already intelligent and atmospheric Gothic chiller.
Hammer gives some rich production values to THE GORGON, a horror film starring PETER CUSHING as a doctor with some mysterious secrets and CHRISTOPHER LEE as an inquisitive professor who wants to solve the riddle--namely, whatever is causing the strange deaths of several unfortunate victims who turn to stone under the evil gaze of "the gorgon." BARBARA SHELLEY commands interest immediately as a mysterious woman who knows somewhat more than she should about the legendary myth involving Maguera.
The story is somewhat simplistic but holds a certain power because of the atmospheric sets and the high quality of the acting by an all British cast.I've been critical of some of the Hammer films because they use garish color to get their effects (as in THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES which was done at an earlier time by Fox in glorious B&W with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, superior in every way to the Hammer version).
But THE GORGON has been photographed with an eye for atmospheric details that give the proper Gothic feel to the story.The ending is somewhat disappointing in that The Gorgon is not quite as sinister and real as it should be (especially with regard to the snake headdress), but it's good to see Christopher Lee playing a good man for a change.Well worth viewing..
This 1964 Hammer Production boasts an ambitious premise which the make-up man ultimately finds to his disadvantage when the Gorgon is finally revealed at the end.It is a carefully built-up film with tons of atmosphere and mystery, but very little horror, hence Hammer should be commended in approaching the subject with such subtlety.
Indeed, Peter Cushing's role perfectly shows his adeptness at playing stone-faced, ruthless roles as well as the ones in which he is more civil and good-natured.Watchable Hammer fare, with a decent ending, but it's ambition conversely restricts the film..
Another excellent collaboration of Hammer's number one director, Terence Fisher, and this great Production company's two greatest stars, Horror icons Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, "The Gorgon" is another impressive film that no Hammer-fan or Horror lover in general can afford to miss.
The accused man's brother comes to the village in order to investigate himself, following a local legend about a mysterious creature..."The Gorgon" is a film of controversial reputation among my fellow Hammer fans.
Atmospheric and slow moving, this movie may not be for everyone, but if you're in the mood for a solid Hammer horror about people turning to stone, then check it out.
When Carla (Barbara Shelley), beautiful assistant to the mysterious and tight-lipped Dr. Namaroff (Peter Cushing), tells Paul of the local legend of Megaera the Gorgon, the snake-haired monster whose spirit is rumoured to haunt a nearby castle, he suspects that there might be some truth to the story and decides to investigate for himself...The Gorgon, from Hammer director Terence Fisher, is inspired by the mythology of ancient Greece, and tells of a creature so hideous that to look at it can result in being turned to stone.
However, with the emphasis on emotional interplay rather than solid scaresthe result of which is way too much talk instead of actionThe Gorgon ends up being an unexceptional affair despite some splendid cinematography, a couple of genuinely atmospheric scenes, and solid performances from its excellent cast (which also features Chistopher Lee as Paul's mentor, Professor Karl Meister, and Patrick Troughton wearing a very daft helmet).In addition to the plodding (and rather predictable) script, The Gorgon is also guilty of muddling its mythology (Megaera was in fact the name of a Furie), and delivering one of Hammer's weakest monsters: the titular creaturefairly effective when partially hidden in the shadowsis hardly the stuff of nightmares when revealed in all of it's hideous glory thanks to the use of some particularly awful makeup and the laughable rubber snakes that move awkwardly on its head..
It's a Hammer Film ,it stars Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. I assure you there's a market for this movie.
It's not exactly the best "horror" story, but it presents a very interesting mystery and mixes classic Greek myth with more modern times, which you don't see often (and it's done well here, despite the fact they screwed up the names).People have had concerns about the cheesy effects used for the snakes.
One of the three Greek mythological Gorgons spirit overtakes the body of a woman in a small town in England in the early 20th century and petrified victims start to appear whenever there's a full moon.Director Terence Fisher shows his undeniable skill for creating appropriate and sordid atmospheres in his horror films with a touch of Gothic in this one.
The story -a complete fantasy- is also well handled by Fisher and sustains interest without major bumps all along.Peter Cushing, Cristopher Lee and Barbara Shelley render their usual fine acting in roles with no secrets for them; there's also a good performance by the less known Patrick Troughton ("The Scars of Dracula", "The Omen") as the Chief of Police.What somehow demerits the picture is its special effects and not because they are particularly bad, but because by the early 60's it was really difficult to make a convincing make up of a head with living snakes instead of hair (this would be an easy task for today's computers).
Nonetheless and if you consider the time "The Gorgon" was released the special effects don't really hurt the film.Clearly not in the same level of the best horror movies that Hammer gave us in the late 50's and early 60's (such little classics as "The Mummy", "Horror of Dracula" or "The Curse of Frankenstein"), "The Gorgon" stands as a most original product surely enjoyable for fans of the genre..
The movie is not scary, the turning to stone effects and the Gorgon hair-snake make-up was embarrassing, the sets are cheesy, and I thought the acting wasn't up to par either.
time here allowing one of the characters to have a nice death scene.Peter Cushing as a mysterious nobleman and Christopher Lee the professor
A Hammer film that looks to Greek mythology for the basis of it's plot with the mythical creature known as The Gorgon (a woman with snakes for hair and the ability to turn anyone who looks her in the eye to stone) being adapted and shone through the Hammer Films' prism.This film features the combined talents of Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee and Patrick Troughton who are all amazing.
Creative plot easily inspired in old Greek's myth, Medusa here supplanted to another name Gorgon as movie's title and Megeara in the picture,the astonishing atmosphere allowed by Fisher in a colorful sets haunting by a moonlight,Cushing is fabulous in his role,also Barbara Shelley,but Christopher Lee was totally disagreement wiith the real character very older to him,also another plot's fail the main actor appears almost in last part of the picture,despite that the whole thing is delightful to every fan who loves Hammer!!Resume:First watch: 2018 / How many: 1/ Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25.
Not-bad Hammer horror has a solid production with rich color and a good cast, but the romantic complications between mysterious, possessive doctor Peter Cushing and assistant Barbara Shelley verge on soap opera.
Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing star in this surprisingly atmospheric horror film.Cushing is the villain, a doctor who holds the key to a series of unsolved murders plaguing a European village.
At the center of the mystery is the legend of the mysterious Gorgon, who can turn men and women to stone with one look from her evil eyes.This is all standard B horror movie stuff, but there are a couple of scenes that manage a fair level of creepiness, and the British cast are able to make the material sound better than it actually is.
There was a great use of colour and maximising of the potential of the sets to create a nice, almostcreepy atmosphere that belies the fact it was filmed on the usual low budget.After a number of people are mysteriously killed in Vandorf village bigwig professor Christopher Lee eventually comes to the rescue but finds the victims have been turned to stone in their horror at seeing something.
This underrated little film from Hammer features an all-star cast including Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Patrick Troughton, Richard Pasco & Micheal Goodliffe.Rumor has it that the town of Vandorf is haunted by the spirit of the legendary Gorgon named Mageara(whose appearance is so hideous she turns those foolish enough to gaze upon her into stone)..mysterious deaths and rumors of the victims being turned to stone bring many of our lead characters together to investigate.This is a wonderful film with fitting music and wonderful set designs which add to its overall atmosphere of haunting terror.
Gorgon, The (1964) *** (out of 4) Extremely well-made Hammer film about a small town haunted by a strange curse, which causes people to die from fright and turn into stone.
Oh yeah,"The Gorgon" is really bad-the special effects(especially the Gorgon's make-up)are horrible,but I enjoyed the film.It's pretty scary,atmospheric and well-acted(horror veterans Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are great as usual).So if you like subtle horror films from Hammer,then this one is a must-see-just don't expect something with over blown budget here.You have been warned....
But it is worth watching, if for nothing less than the fine performances given by Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. The film is very atmospheric, with swirling mists in graveyards at midnight and a good score.
Unfortunately he ends up turned to stone as well so it's up to Paul Heitz (Richard Pasco) to find the truth behind his father's & brother's deaths & the local villagers don't seem to want to co-operate...This British production was directed by Terrence Fisher & I didn't think The Gorgon was one of Hammer's best by any stretch of the imagination.
This is a Hammer film starring both Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.
The fiercely pragmatic and secretive Dr. Namaroff (superbly played by Peter Cushing) tries to cover up for the Gorgon while both the determined Paul Heitz (a fine performance by Richard Pasco) and the aggressive, take-charge Professor Karl Meister (Christopher Lee in wonderfully robust form) try to get to the bottom of things.
Among the great enunciators in this movie, in addition to Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, is Barbara Shelley who plays Carla Hoffman, Dr. Namaroff's assistant.
Although Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are given star billing, the movie is more like a play with an ensemble cast of characters all 'driven by desperate love,' (as noted by others) -- which is the real unifying theme of almost all the scenes.
Contrast this with her role in "Quatermass and the Pit" (1967) as a 'modern' woman.This movie doesn't get old by watching it once a year at Hallowe'en, because you forget the minor glitches (for example, the Gorgon's fakey appearance, a few cheap looking hillside sets, Christopher Lee's hair style and mustache), and you just remember and enjoy it as a well made, interesting story well told..
It's also the last time that the studio's most famous stars Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing teamed up with arguably the studio's best director, Terence Fisher, who of course was responsible for their 1950s classics like THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN.
The Gorgon, directed by Terence Fisher and starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, all three veteran horror film stalwarts, retells the story from Greek myth of the snake-haired woman so ugly that anyone who looks directly at her is turned to stone.
And as if that weren't enough talent both in front of and behind the camera, the film was scripted by John Gilling, who would ultimately direct six pictures for Hammer himself, including such beloved miniclassics as "The Plague of the Zombies" and "The Reptile." In "The Gorgon," a university student named Paul Heitz (played by Richard Pasco) comes to the German village of Vandorf, in the year 1910, to investigate the recent deaths of his brother and father, both of whom had mysteriously been turned to stone by an unknown agency.
When his father Professor Jules Heitz and brother Bruno die under mysterious circumstances, Paul Heitz travels to a small town to determine what is going on.It's the early 1900s and he finds villagers who are wary of strangers and apparently live in fear, particularly when there is a full moon.He hears of the legend of Megaera, a Gorgon so hideous that to look at her will turn you to stone.Of particular interest to him are Dr. Namaroff and his attractive assistant Carla Hoffman.Namaroff is obviously hiding something and is very possessive of Carla, who suffers from blackouts and memory loss....It's one of those typical Hammer movies that comes on TV late at night and you just cannot help but watch the absurdity of it all.All the familiar faces are here, Cushing, Lee, Matte Paintings, but Hammer movies never fail to entertain, even if they do fail to shock.Not unlike Nosferatu, we have one man who is an outcast in a village, which hides a secret.
The secret is, it's Medusa's not so famous sibling, who can turn a man to stone with her red eyes and awful hair.The effects are funny in a Hammer way, but Lee and Cushing put a bit of class into the proceedings.Not as good as the Dracula films, but has a little kookiness to it all..
Hammer took a break from the Dracula and Frankenstein movies to focus on the Gorgon character, a witch with snakes as hair, her face turning those that look at her into stone.