On the whole I like this movie because its about the only film I know that deals with Alaistor Crowley - an incredible man who is long overdue for a major film of his life. Unfortunately the makers of this film go for the easy option and make Crowley into a right evil sod..........killing people whenever it takes his fancy.........all in pursuit of the "chemical wedding".
Now in reality Crowley sounds like he was a man to be feared and avoided but he didn't go around killing people - despite all the newspaper garbage of the time about him being the most wicked man in the world, etc, etc. Why the makers chose this approach to an interesting subject is anybody's guess - but it probably comes down to box-office! Dress up Crowley as the occult's answer to Hannibal Lector and it will ring up megabucks at the box-office........or at least the makers hope! However despite those reservations its still quite an unusual film and well worth seeing - even if its just for Simon Callows marvellous OTT turn as Crowley. But as I've indicated the definitive film on the Great Beast is still to be made. Lets hope British film-makers do it before Hollywood does!
Now in reality Crowley sounds like he was a man to be feared and avoided but he didn't go around killing people - despite all the newspaper garbage of the time about him being the most wicked man in the world, etc, etc. Why the makers chose this approach to an interesting subject is anybody's guess - but it probably comes down to box-office! Dress up Crowley as the occult's answer to Hannibal Lector and it will ring up megabucks at the box-office........or at least the makers hope! However despite those reservations its still quite an unusual film and well worth seeing - even if its just for Simon Callows marvellous OTT turn as Crowley. But as I've indicated the definitive film on the Great Beast is still to be made. Lets hope British film-makers do it before Hollywood does!