The Lair of the White Worm, directed by Ken Russell 1988

Often you see people not being interested in watching older films. For me, however, films of all ages can be of interest. I am particularly interested in films of days long gone, for often more reasons than you might think. When I watch films, I then also watch films that currently may long have been forgotten. The Lair of the White Worm is one of those films. Ken Russell, the infamous English director of films such as THE DEVILS, TOMMY, ALTERED STATES and CRIMES OF PASSION, wrote and directed this film in the late 1980s.  The Lair of the White Worm was a film written and meant to be a relatively cheap film. Nevertheless, it has its moments.

Amanda Donohoe

When a Scottish Archeology student, Angus (played by Peter Capaldi), finds a strange looking skull in an excavation at a Bed & Breakfast run by Mary and Eve Trent, strange things start to happen when Lady Sylvia (a very sexy yet creepy Amanda Donohoe) unexpectedly returns. A local myth, the slaying of  the d'Ampton Worm, is the background for the current events as it seems that an ancestor of the current Lord of the Manor, James d'Ampton (played by Hugh Grant before he became a comedy star), slew this snakelike creature in days long gone. All hell seems to break loose when the strange looking skull is stolen.

Lady Sylvia shows her true nature

While the original story of the Dracula author Bram Stoker is considerably different, this film also now finds itself a curiosity, not only by having been directed by one of England's most eccentric directors, but also because the film stars actors in serious roles long before these actors became famous in some other role. It is very interesting now to see the current DR. WHO act in a serious horror film when he was 30. Also Hugh Grant playing a serious role in itself has become a bit of a joke, so please, don't take my word for it. Check the film out yourself.

Peter Capaldi way before he became Dr. Who

If you know a little of Ken Russell and his earlier films, the subject matter of this film will not shock you. Russell had strange tastes in his films but nevertheless, as a horror film, The Lair of the White Worm is definitely worth a look. And please forgive the slightly dated look. A film of the 1980s may look fairly modern, but the world you are looking at was a world of 30 years ago.

Ken Russell's The Lair of the White Worm