Ten Lovecraft Movies You May Not Know

H.P. Lovecraft and his work have long been the inspiration for movies. Some adaptations of his stories, others inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos universe. Movies like Re-animator (1985) and From Beyond (1986), are often what spring to mind. There's the Lovecraft inspired "Apocalypse Trilogy", The Thing (1982), Prince of Darkness (1987), and In the Mouth of Madness (1995), from director John Carpenter. There's the Spanish horror based on the novella The Shadow Over Innsmouth, Dagon (2001), the list goes on. Here are some of the possibly lesser known Lovecraft inspired movies from around the world. I say "possibly", as die-hard fans (and you know who you are) will likely of heard of them. But for those who like to dip their toes in the dark depths of the Lovecraftian world, these may well be new to you. 
As loved of Lovecraft well know, movies of his work often miss the mark by a mile. The movies presented here run the whole gamut of success and failure, in their ability to bring their adaptations and Lovecraft inspired stories to the screen. But then again we wouldn't expect anything else from movies that try to visually represent the complexity of Lovecraft's words.
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The Color Out Of Space (2010): Also known as Die Fabre, it is a German adaptation of the Lovecraft short story. Other adaptations being Die, Monster, Die! (1965) and the Curse (1987). The story starts in Arkham, in 1975. Jonathan Davis' father has disappeared. His tracks lead to Germany, where his father was stationed after the WWII. Jonathan sets out to find him and bring him home, but deep in the woods he discovers a dark mystery from the past. The movie is filmed in moody black & white, except for the "colour", which appears during the movie. It's slow paced, building a sombre atmosphere, that does credit to its source material. The tension builds well, in what is a homage to the vintage days of horror movie film-making. The movie isn't perfect, the acting isn't great, but over-all it's a good movie and a decent adaptation. The original short-story of The Color Out Of Space first appearing in the September 1927 edition of science fiction magazine Amazing Stories. It's said to be one of Lovecraft's personal favourite stories, and one of the most popular among fans.
The Dream-Quest Of Unknown Kadath (2003): Based on the short-story of the same name, which was published posthumously by Arkham House in 1943. Part of his Dream Cycle, and featuring protagonist Randolph Carter and his search for the mystical sunset city, of his dreams. The movie is an animated adaptation of the story. Obviously made on a low-budget that movie still manages to capture the essence of the story well, and is probably one of the better adaptations of any Lovecraft story. Especially considering how complex and fantastical a story it is, it couldn't have been really filmed in any other way. It is an ambitious piece, that sometimes (probably due to budget constraints) falls a little short, but over-all it is an innovative and loving made movie. The atmospheric musical score, does sometimes distract you from the story, and over-shadows the voices of the actors. Some of the voice acting is a little wooden and stilted. But all that aside, The Dream-Quest Of Unknown Kadath is a must see for fans of Lovecraft.
The Thing On The Doorstep (2014): Based on the Lovecraft story of the same name, written in 1933, and first published 1937. The movie is a psychological horror about Daniel Upton, and his relationship with his friend Edward Derby. Edward becomes involved with a strange hypnotist called, Asenath Waite, and his personality begins to change. His friend Daniel wants to find out what has happened to his friend, and what connection Asenath has to it. The movie has a contemporary setting, which is often a mistake for Lovecraft adaptations. And this is one of them. But that said, it is a relatively faithful adaptation. It doesn't score too highly on acting, or film-making. It is a low-budget b-movie, but it is done with all seriousness by the film-makers . And for that, they should be given credit. They build the atmosphere well, but could have pulled-back on the filters, effects and the constant use of soft-focus, which at times a distraction from the story-telling. But if you can see through the first-time film-student soft-focus, then you do get a good telling of the story.
Hunters Of The Dark (2011): Based on the short-story the Haunter Of The Dark, which published in the December 1936 edition of Weird Tales. Again, as with the movie of The Thing On The Doorstep, you have the movie placed in a modern setting. Something that these independent film-makers likely do because of their lack of budget, to film than as period pieces. It does seem that every young would-be horror film-maker tries cutting their teeth of a Lovecraft story early in their career. Hunters Of The Dark is about a series of events that build up to an invasion of the Earth by beings from another dimension. The writer / director Ansel Faraj claimed that other Lovecraft stories that inspired him, and elements of which he included in the movie are, The Shadow Out of Time, The Dunwich Horror, At the Mountains of Madness, The Colour Out of Space and The Whisperer in Darkness. Which is quite something, for a movie with only a 44 minute running time.

If this all sounds a bit too much, there is a faithful CGI animation of Haunter Of The Dark, from 2011, which can be found on YouTube. 
Colour From The Dark (2008): The second on the list to use The Color Out Of Space as it source material. An Italian made horror, and so the setting is Italy, but importantly it is a period piece. Like the other adaptation of this story on the list, the movie is slow paced, but some how doesn't manage to build the tension in the same way as the Color Out Of Space (2010). And so it feels like it drags. As with the other adaptation, it does make reference to its WWII historical setting. But this addition doesn't seem to fit with the Lovecraftian theme, and seems somewhat unnecessary to further the narrative of the movie. This isn't the worst movie on the list, it sits firmly and squarely in the middle ground. As a piece of modern European horror cinema, it may not be to everyone's tastes. But never-the-less it does sit among the canon of attempts to bring Lovecraft to the screen. 
The Mystery Of Lovecraft - Road to L. (2005): (Il mistero di Lovecraft - Road to L. in Italian) A documentary style thriller, that puts an interesting twist on the Lovecraft universe. The centres around the discovery of a manuscript in Italy, that is attributed to Lovecraft. It tells of Lovecraft's trip through the Po Delta in search of inspiration, and in particular to learn the folk takes of the region, known as "Tales of Filò ". A film crew arrive to make a documentary about the discovery of the manuscript, and to investigate the disappearance of a student of folk traditions 7 years early, who first suggested that there maybe a connection between the Po Delta region and Lovecraft. The L., of the "Road to L." is the mysterious village of Loreo, where the film crew end up. The movie tells the story behind the making of the "documentary" the crew are there to make, and the unfolding of what both Lovecraft and the the missing student may have stumbled across while there. The movie has been compared in style to the Blair Witch Project, which does this movie a disservice. This is a much more intelligent and well paced movie, with the tension built with care and attention. One of the best on the list.
The Valdemar Legacy 1 & 2 (2010): Both movies are based on the Cthulhu Mythos, and actually in the second of the two we get to see The Great Old One himself. Spanish productions, by writer / director José Luis Alemán, they are Lovecraft inspired, rather than adaptations of any one piece of work. The movies should be taken as a single piece, spread of 2 parts. Telling the story of the mysterious Valdemar mansion. The first movie is the best of the two, but both are filled with Lovcraftian atmosphere that many movies based on his work fail to do. They are filled with so many elements from the Cthulhu Mythos, there is plenty to keep any fan entertained. Much of the story unfolds in flash-back, as we learn the the mysteries of the mansion. In a wonderfully gothic tale, that although an original story, it pays homage to the works of Lovecraft in a much better way than many of the other movies on the list. For atmosphere and styling alone, these movies are best on the list. A little confusing at times, but for that they can be forgiven. Making for a fun horror double-bill, best watched on a dark and stormy night.
Call Girl Of Cthulhu (2014): And finally, finishing on a silly note, we have the horror comedy Call Girl Of Cthulhu. It tells the story of an artist who falls in love with a "call girl", that ends up being the bride of Cthulhu chosen by cultists because of a birthmark on her rear-end. What you get here is a campy piece of fun exploitation cinema, with a Lovecraft twist. The Lovecraft in-jokes and references come thick and fast. But they are all done with an obvious love of the source material, despite the quick witted schlocky style of the movie. As a Lovecraft themed movie, this is more akin to the campiness and gore of Re-animator or From Beyond. With plenty of blood, boobs and tentacles. Of all the movies on the list, this is probably the most fun watch. And despite its obvious low-budget, unlike many of the movies here, Call Girl Of Cthulhu doesn't for it. It fact it openly revels in it, and that makes it all the better for it. So if none of the other movies on here spark your interest, get yourself this one. Sit back, take your brain out, and just simply enjoy a piece of Lovecraft inspired silliness.
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