The Black Cat
Unlike most of the Masters of Horror series, this episode is more of a period piece combining fictional elements with realistic details of one of horror’s most famed authors, Edgar Allen Poe. Writers Dennis Paoli and Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator, Dagon) have, with a stroke of genius, placed Edgar Allen Poe in the middle of one of his own stories, combining true elements of Poe’s life with that of one of his supernatural short stories, The Black Cat. The combination is truly intriguing for people that have a literary background, of course, the inverse is probably true as well. If you don’t know anything about Poe or his stories you could find yourself very bored by old timey gothic horror as it is all about tension and atmosphere.
Director Stuart Gordon brings the life of Edgar Allen Poe to full realization in this perfect subject for a short movie. Gordon manages to recreate the world of mid-nineteenth century America fairly well… even down to the silly clothes that the characters wear. Gordon’s film is rather plain directorially, but it is fitting considering this is a gothic horror tale… a genre that is filled with rather plain imagery and a few elements of the fantastic.
Jeffrey Combs gives the best performance of his life in this piece. He plays the alcoholic, mildly disturbed Poe perfectly, complete with an old timey Southern accent and everything. He even looks like the famous portrait of Edgar Allen Poe. Some people might tell you that Re-Animator is the best performance that Combs has ever done, but, while it is certainly the quirkiest role he ever had, it has absolutely nothing on the complete capturing of a personality that Combs doe in The Black Cat.
Gordon’s The Black Cat is a divine tribute to one of the original Masters of Horror and it is fitting that Poe is referenced in some way in the anthology. Horror fans that have no sense of history may not appreciate the historical significance, but for those of you that do, the film is a must see.
Final Synopsis: Not your typical Masters of Horror episode; if you’re expecting cheesy fun look somewhere else, as this is a serious effort based on a literary and factual background. Edgar Allen Poe fans should definitely check this out. I recommend at least a rent.
Points Lost: -1 for a less than interesting supporting cast, -1 for cheesy CGI violence, -1 for dragging in the middle
Burning Question: Did you know that Poe married his own cousin?
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