Dagon is a 2001 Spanish horror film directed by Stuart Gordon (The Dentist; From Beyond; Re-Animator; et al) from a screenplay by Dennis Paoli. Despite the title, the plot is actually based on H. P. Lovecraft‘s novella The Shadow Over Innsmouth (1932) rather than on his earlier short story ‘Dagon’ (1919).
A boating accident off the coast of Spain sends Paul and his girlfriend Barbara to the decrepit fishing village of Imboca. As night falls, people start to disappear and things not quite human start to appear. Paul is pursued by the entire town.
Running for his life, he uncovers Imboca’s secret..they worship Dagon, a monstrous god of the sea… and Dagon’s unholy offspring are on the loose…
Vestron Video is issuing Dagon as a restored Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release on July 24, 2018.
- Audio Commentary with Director Stuart Gordon and Screenwriter Denis Paoli
- Audio Commentary with Director Stuart Gordon and Star Ezra Godden
- New: “Gods & Monsters” – A discussion with Director Stuart Gordon, Interviewed by Filmmaker Mick Garris
- New: “Shadows over Imboca” – An Interview with Producer Brian Yuzna
- New: “Fish Stories” – An Interview with S.T. Joshi, author of I Am Providence: The Life and Times of H.P. Lovecraft
- Vintage EPK
- Archival Interviews with Stuart Gordon, Ezra Godden, and other Cast & Crew
- Theatrical Trailer
- New: Conceptual Art Gallery from Artist Richard Raaphorst
- Storyboard Gallery
- Still Gallery
Reviews:
“Though it’s not perfect, Lovecraft fans will most likely be willing to forgive Dagon‘s shortcomings in favor of a film that obviously shows great respect and appreciation for its source materials.” Jason Buchanan, AllMovie
“With a few script touch ups and, more fleshed out characters and a more endearing lead, the film would’ve kicked my ass all over my padded my room. As/is there was a human anchor missing. But even with its set-backs there are still enough horror treats in this unsettling tale to make it worth the boat ride.” Arrow in the Head
” …Dagon demonstrates that the filmmakers still ascribe to their small-budget and exploitation roots, putting most of their money up on the screen by way of creature effects, make-up, production design, etc., along with a mild infusion of some gratuitous T&A. The look of the movie and the effects is fantastic…” Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
” …I’m willing to forgive the sometimes cheap-looking digital effects and the sometimes rubbery-looking tentacles. The fact that said tentacles are often seen in association with Macarena Gomez (probably the sexiest high priestess in movies for many a year) or clutching at a naked Raquel Merono (who essays the helpless struggling victim role very nicely) while she’s suspended in chains over a pit probably helps.” John Llewellyn Probert, House of Mortal Cinema
“Godden does a great job as the confused Paul and adds a comic relief touch to his character while still showing the emotion of pure terror and narrowly escaping the mutant townsfolk. Speaking of which, there’s also a good amount of scares and gore to go around. Every chase scene if full of suspense and does a great job entertaining you for the film’s 90-minute runtime…” Strange Kids Club
” …builds some good spooky mood at first and manages to be watchable with Godden making a suitably “dorky” hero, an okay opening dream sequence involving a mermaid, decent creature effects and couple of gruesomely cool moments (the best one involving a derelict’s face). Sure it’s a bit leisurely paced and certainly not perfect…” The Video Graveyard
“Gordon nicely creates the decayed humanity of Lovecraft’s ‘Innsmouth’ […] Dagon is a dark story well told, but for some Lovecraft lovers, it may be a fish that should have gotten away.” Andrew Migliore and John Strysik, Lurker in the Lobby: A Guide to the Cinema of H. P. Lovecraft, Night Shade Books, 2006
Buy: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Cast and characters:
- Ezra Godden as Paul Marsh
- Francisco Rabal as Ezequiel
- Raquel Meroño as Barbara
- Macarena Gómez as Uxía Cambarro
- Brendan Price as Howard
- Birgit Bofarull as Vicki
- Uxía Blanco as Ezequiel’s mother
- Ferran Lahoz as Priest
- Joan Minguell as Xavier Cambarro
- Alfredo Villa as Captain Orpheus Cambarro/Captain Obed March
- José Lifante as desk clerk
- Javier Sandoval as Ezequiel’s father
- Victor Barreira as young Ezequiel
- Fernando Gil as Catholic priest
- Jorge Luis Pérez as Boy