'80s Class: The Lair of the White Worm

 Who would have ever guessed that I'd have the Space Jam Sequel to thank for me seeing this.  This is Ken Russell's adaptation of Bram Stoker's The Lair of the White Worm.  If you don't know, the new Space Jam features a whole crew of look-alikes playing Characters from the Warner Bros Catalog.  That's why the Audience includes multiple Jokers, Pennywise, The Animaniacs and...the Nun from The Devils?!?  The last one is especially strange, since they own the Film but REFUSE to release it.  The only copies around- like mine- are from older releases.  The Film was very controversial in its day and, well, things haven't changed much in the last 4 Decades plus.  The Film is around- on Shudder, apparently- but still not Uncut.  With that in mind, I came across another Ken Russell Film on Prime and said 'Why not?'  It's weird.  Yes, it is Ken Russell, so no shock there.  Based somewhat-loosely on a Bram Stoker Tale, the Film is about a small Town, an evil woman, a man living off of his family's legacy and a monster in hiding.  The Cast is most notable for featuring Hugh Grant in an early role and featuring future Doctor Who himself Peter Capaldi.  A little Trivia for you: this and Paddington 2 are Films that feature this duo.  There's a link you didn't expect to see, I bet!  Will they save the day?  Will this Film offend?  To find out, read on...

A Scottish Visitor- Capaldi- digs us the skull of a large, ancient creature.  He's happy about it.

In the same Town, we meet Grant.  He's the descendant of a family who famously slayed 'The Great Worm.'

As he explains later, it's actually more of a Wyrm aka Dragon.

In some subtle foreshadowing, our Lead Heroine is 'chased' by the Monster at a Party celebrating the Anniversary of its slaying.

Nice.

A weird woman- Amanda Donohoe- returns to Town and is definitely up to no good.

For one thing, snakes hide around her House.  She also takes this 'Boy Scout' home and kills him.

As the Film goes on, Grant becomes more uncomfortable with his life of privilege and tries to act more heroic.

 Of course, he still stays in the Mansion with all of his stuff and Butler, so baby steps.

Our Heroines are looking for their missing Parents and one person does know where they are- Donohoe.

She's a Snake Worshipper and plans to bring the Wyrm back for revenge!

She has one of the duo under her control and uses her to get the other...

Can Capaldi learn enough about the ancient lore of the land to find out what to do to save her?

Or will our Villainess get her wish by bringing back the Wyrm for a sacrificial bite?

The creature sure looks hungry...so why don't you watch it and find out?

No 33 year old SPOILERS this time.  The End.

A weird and wacky Film.  There's no mistaking a Ken Russell Film- that's for sure.  For one thing, there are a few key Scenes involving hallucinations/visions that are very much in his style.  It has Nuns in peril, some anti-Christian imagery (there intentionally to shock, mind you) and some weird effects.  It's less of a key thing here than in The Devils, so it gets by.  It's got other wackiness, including a weird dream sequence involving Hugh Grant, a Cave and then a 747- why not?!?  The best comparison I can give to this one is that it is a British Film in the style of Twin Peaks (especially the more random Season 2).  If you like that Show (even the uneven Season 3), you'll like this one.  Seeing a young Hugh Grant in a trippy Monster Movie is fun.  The make-up work is good.  The Film has good Acting.  It has a weird, eccentric appeal.  If you like the straight-forward stuff, this is not for you.  If you like a Film that is both 'art-house' and silly, this is for you.  Looking into Films like this can be fun, but also confusing.  For instance, both Donohoe and one of the Leads (Catherine Oxenberg) both have roles in Starship Troopers 3!  The latter was also married to Casper Van Dien (appearing with him in Sharktopus vs. Whalewolf).  Doing all of this research for, well, nobody can sometimes make you just want to...

Next time, another random dive and another random Film.  See what you get next time, won't you?  Stay tuned...