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‘Dagon’
Lions Gate Films, 2001
starring: Ezra Godden, Raquel Merono and Francisco Rabal
directed by: Stuart Gordon
the plot: Paul (Godden) and Barbara (Merono) are vacationing
with friends when a freak accident traps the friends on a
swiftly-sinking boat. Paul and Barbara take an emergency raft to the
tiny coastal hamlet of Imboca in search of assistance. Once ashore,
Paul enlists the help of some pallid fishermen to rescue his friends,
while a mysterious priest leads Barbara to the nearest telephone. But
Paul’s rescue attempts fail, and by the time he makes it back to town,
Barbara is missing. Once night falls, Paul witnesses the
horrifying sight of half-human, half-fish creatures that populate the
town, swarming the streets in search of a human sacrifice. As Paul
scrambles across Imboca searching for a place to hide, he discovers the
townspeople secretly worship Dagon, a hideous sea creature that has
been haunting Paul's dreams.
why it’s good: “Dagon” is a prime Stuart Gordon flick, combining
the goofy slapstick, atmospheric horror and excessive gore that made
his “Re-Animator” such a classic. Based on a pair of short stories by
H.P. Lovecraft (upon whose work Gordon frequently draws), “Dagon” is
simple, suspenseful and fun. There’s very little plot to get in the way
of all the action—by the 20-minute mark, Paul and Barbara are already
trapped and fighting for their lives. What follows is some decent
physical comedy by Godden and a heavy dose of creeping dread, supplied
by Gordon’s frantic camerawork and the legions of fish-people. Those
worried about Gordon skimping on the bloodshed needn’t worry; “Dagon”
is filled with plenty of gross moments, including a ghastly
skin-removal scene. The climax is very Lovecraftian, complete with a
chanting cult performing a monstrous sacrifice. However, the final plot
twist, involving Paul and Imboca’s monstrous rulers, is a little
contrived (but it does have a clever “Star Wars” reference).
why you should own it: If you loved “Re-Animator,” chances are
you'll like “Dagon.” Lovecraft devotees and Gordon fans should have
this one in their collection, but don’t expect more than the standard
extras on Lions Gate's DVD. There are commentary tracks by Gordon,
Godden and screenwriter Dennis Paoli, as well as a gallery of
production artwork and storyboards.
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