Matt Shea
RubySoho
Morgan Bell
Cibbuano
David O'Connell
Mountain Fog
Village of the Damned
October 20th 2008 22:22
Before Christopher Reeve had his paralyzing horse-riding accident, he starred in John Carpenter's 1995 remake of "Village of the Damned", a ghastly story about a small town where ten women give simultaneous birth to ten strange children with malicious psychic powers.
The original "Village of the Damned" was, itself, an adaptation of "The Midwich Cuckoos" by John Wyndham, a novel that set the story in Great Britain. I haven't read the novel, but it is well-regarded among science-fiction fans, using the idea of subverting children to provoke the reader.
Carpenter draws on a similar idea, but from the moment the children are born, we know that they're not of this world. The army scientist, played by Kirstie Alley, even suggests that the children are the product of alien fertilization; the score, written by Carpenter, is unrelenting, indicating the bad news ahead.
The innovation of the 1995 movie is the relevance... at a time when pro-life and pro-choice groups went head-to-head against each other, the ten women are given a choice to terminate the pregnancies. Without saying anything else, all ten choose to give birth, even the 16-year-old virgin.
After several years, we see the children grown into primary school students, identical looking with bleach blond white hair, and matching uniforms. The parallels to the Hitler Youth are obvious, even down to the way they march together, in line, and paired boy-girl.
They are emotionless, and excellent students, preferring to sit quietly and read as much as they can - what does Carpenter say about the dehumanization of education and intellect? As the simple townspeople rage and scream at the terror of the situation, the children stare blankly, observing everything without blinking.
"Village of the Damned" is still heavily criticized for feeling empty - the people in the town are introduced rapidly, with scattered scenes trying to give us an appreciation of their character. Carpenter fails on this level, but he's never been one to carve figures out of wood; instead, his talent is the atmosphere, which feels thick with dread.
It'll probably be one of his lesser-remembered works, but I enjoyed "Village of the Damned", mostly because Carpenter shies away from obvious scare-tactics, preferring to make films that touch the sense of horror, rather than jump out at us.
While it feels shallow throughout, "Village of the Damned" is entertaining enough to make me feel wary of Aryan-looking kids. One glimpse of those wretched, glowing eyes is enough for me to run for the hills.
I say: Thrilling and eccentric, this remake is an interesting addition to the John Carpenter filmography.
See it for: Mark Hamill is a priest in the film, but you can't help but assume that he's Luke.
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Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
Can't believe I haven't seen this one though ...
And with Superman and Luke Skywalker in the same movie!
mm
Comment by Aimzster
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Aimzster, I thought it'd be scarier, in fact... but the kids are just creepy, not scary.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Thanks for this. Ive been trying to remember the name of this movie!
Comment by sportsbar
Fret X
I found this concept fascinating... try doing it... focusing on nothing but a brick wall, you'll find you get the most random thoughts pop up...
Also, the movie was famously spoofed by the Simpsons (they'll rip off anything) with the "we know all your secrets" sketch.
It cracks me up every time!
Comment by Cibbuano
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Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
sportsbar, it's a great tip when faced with a room full of psychic children.
I halfway remember a Simpsons episode ripping off this movie, but I don't remember which one it was.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Far from Carpenter's best but I like the B-grade feel of some of his weaker films, bad acting included!
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by sportsbar
Fret X
basically the kids are put on a curfew and then start broadcasting all their parents secrets behind a giant Chief Wiggum billboard...
"Constable Wiggum likes to act tough, but he also likes to walk the beat in control-top pantyhose."
"And, Schoolmistress Krabapple have been stealing supplies from the school cafeteria."
"And now we come to Mr. Homer Simpson. Did you know he likes to eat out of the Flanders' garbage?"
"And guess who's been practicing medicine without a license? That's right! Homer Simpson!"
...you know it makes sense...
Comment by Raquelle
Raquelle
Comment by Cibbuano
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sportsbar, that's the episode? I thought there was one with a bunch of white-haired kids?
Raquelle, I was pleased to find that it wasn't that gory at all - well, relatively speaking. Used only for maximum effect!
Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
Check out Prince of Darkness and They Live! from 1987 if you haven't already. Trashy horror at its best.
Always liked his music as well, especially the theme from Escape from New York. Subtle but effective.
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
Yeah, not sure how he used to go in the ring, but the old wrestler wasn't much of an actor. They Live was a lot of fun though.
Hats off to you Cibby. I've got Prince of Darkness with an old Carpenter favourite Donald Pleasance, who's A No.1!
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
I found that a lot of people were using Google to look up my name, and found that they were looking for "Cibby Danyla", an actress who has just one film to her name - "They Live".
She's the blonde topless lady at the end, her credit is simply "Naked Lady". I've often been confused at that idea...
I'm definitely keen to watch more of Carpenter's films. I reviewed "Dark Star" last month, and you can see the genesis for a whole generation of sci-fi and horror...!
Comment by sportsbar
Fret X