Blake's revenge (The Fog [1979] (DVD))

Member Name: Beggar James

Product:	The Fog [1979] (DVD)
Date:	17/04/01 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Atmophere is awesome

Disadvantages: none

Along with 'Halloween' and 'The Thing', this is one of John Carpenter's best films, and indeed one of the best horror films around. It's an old fashioned ghost story, enlivened with a few modern trappings. Heavy on atmosphere and generous with creepy moments, 'The fog' is a true classic.

The film opens by setting the scene with the telling of a ghost story by Donald Pleasance to some children around a campfire.
'Time for one last tale before midnight.....'.
The action takes place in Antonio Bay, a small coastal down which hides a guilty secret. Years ago, the town elders lit a becon on the hillside, to lure a gold-rich ship of lepers onto the rocks. Now, the long-dead sailors have arisen from their watery graves, hidden from sight by a bank of unholy fog. As the fog creeps inland, the sailors claim their sinister vengence as they draw nearer and nearer to their goal, and to the fulfilment of their dreadful purpose.....

The direction of this film is wonderful. The piece has the feeling of an old fashioned tale of terror. The atmosphere is expertly crafted, as the fog moves relentlessly onwards the viewer has a real sense of it's ominous presence. There are excellent scenes of the fog slowly filling the empty streets, making it seem almost alive, and creating a real feeling of isolation. This is accentuated by the town itself, which creates the perfect small town atmosphere, with an almost Lovecraftian feel. The surrounding scenery is well used, and the ocean itself takes on a sinister aspect, as a vast holder of ill secrets.

The long-dead lepers are impressive too, rotting black figures with glowing red eyes. Very creepy. Their fearful appearance is well handled, as we do not see properly their rotting visages until the film's climax. Like the fog itself, they give an impression of being unstoppable as they cut through their victims as they move relentlessly onwards.

The ca
st all perform well, and there are some genres favourites like Jamie Lee Curtis in there for the fans. The script is fine, and adds well to the overall feeling of a tale being told.

There are some modern touches as well, with a few gore and special effects which work quite well. Thankfully these fit in well with the overall feel of the piece.

This is definitely a film best enjoyed when the evenings draw in, sitting indoors, in front of the fire. It is a prime example of the craftsmanship missing in many horror films, and the attention to the importance of film as a medium for telling stories. This is Carpenter at his best, and that's saying something.

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