I am certain that this is a subject that has been broached on various occasions and a very polarizing subject as well. However I wanted to pry back the “silver cross” on the film and open this topic up for discussion. I realize that there will be divisive viewpoints on the subject but I’d like to see what the consensus of forum members is.

I am aware of Mr. Wilson’s disdain for the film version of The Keep and I sympathize completely. If I had written something as engaging, exciting, and effectively horrifying as The Keep, only to have it chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood machine as a “representation” of my work, I’d be pretty effin’ pissed also.

I am also aware that there were significant problems during the production of The Keep. Michael Mann did not have the clout to support his “my way or the highway” attitude then as he does now (Public Enemies anyone?). As this was basically, right on the heels of the “Heaven’s Gate” debacle, I would assume that Paramount wasn’t interested in a 3 hour movie about a “demon” holed up in a castle, with Nazis, and Scott Glenn, so the theatrical release was a mish-mash of themes and visuals that never captured the grander notions of unbridled, wanton evil and unwanted but tremendous responsibility to keep that evil in check. Notions and themes found in the novel. I say all of this being a huge fan of all of Michael Mann’s films. Yes, even The Keep.

Allow me to explain.

The first time I saw The Keep I was 12 years old. It was running on cable and when I first watched it I was in complete awe. Admittedly, I also thought “Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn” was covered in awesome sauce (Sorry FPW!). The combination of the acting, the music, the style and action gave me a wide eyed appreciation for film and its possibilities. Think of it, a horror movie with Nazis. The endless ideas poured into my head. I’d see it here and there running on HBO or Prism (for you old school Philly folks) and I would stop everything to view it again and again. Sometimes my mom would be watching too and would say, “What the hell is this crap you’re watching?” or,”Is this a war movie or a horror movie?” and “What’s with the music? Turn it off and go outside.” Obviously my mother knew what she was talking about because there are a hell of a lot more people that feel her way about the movie than don’t.

I did what all 12 year old boys do; I got distracted by other things and forgot about The Keep. But just as Rasalom slumbered within Jim Stevens, The Keep was always there just below the surface.

Ten years later…

I’m having a conversation with a couple of friends of mine about movies we watched as kids and one of my friends brings up The Keep. I immediately reach back into the depths of my brain and remember it and before I know it, I blurt out,” Yo! That movie is awesome!” They both looked at me as if I said I Adolf Hitler was the greatest leader the world had ever known and then begin to ridicule me for my apparent lack of taste in movies. As I was attempting to qualify my statement I realized that I hadn’t seen it for ten years and maybe I needed to see it again to find out if I felt the same way. So I went on a quest to find the VHS tape to no avail (I had moved to Northeast Wisconsin by this time and video stores didn’t carry it for rental. Plus it was 1995 and well, the internet was still in its public infancy). I managed to find a copy for sale at a Sun Coast Pictures, but it was $39.99 and I couldn’t bring myself to purchase it. Then, five years later, I found it on Amazon for $19.99 and bought it. I was rife with anticipation and was thoroughly looking forward to seeing it again. When it arrived I couldn’t wait to see it. My wife had absolutely no interest in watching it because she thought it was a pile of crap when she saw it the first time. So I watched it by myself and suffice to say, I was very disappointed. I realized that maybe my friends were right, maybe it was my inner geek that remembered the adolescent wonder I felt when I saw it for the first time, never paying attention to how disjointed the plot was, how erratic the editing was, or how stupid Rasalom looked. I rewound the tape and put it away wondering how I could recoup a part of the time and money I had spent.

Then something interesting happened…

I was at a book sale at the local library and while perusing I came across a copy of “The Keep” by F. Paul Wilson. Truth be told, I had no idea that this was what the film was based on until I read the first few pages. Well I bought it right there and read it that night. I was literally blown away by the story, the depth of character, and level of fright this story evoked from me. Well, I told my wife about the novel and asked her to read it. She looked at me with a “You must be out yo got-damned mind!” look until I explained to her that the book was incomprehensibly superior to the film and she then realized that I was serious. She read the book and was impressed, which is fantastic considering my wife doesn’t read much fiction at all, and said, “I wish the movie was this good.” That’s when it hit me; I need to re-watch the film with the novel as a point of reference. I did and you know what? I actually liked the movie again. I think it was a combination of things that led me to that conclusion, the biggest being with the exception of the time, setting, and very basic premise, these were two totally different stories each with their own merits. Frankly, I don’t think I need to expound on the merits of the book as none of us would be hanging around this forum if I had to do that. Regarding the film however, I think it is necessary to explain my opinion in order to justify this rather long soliloquy…

While the film is far from exceptional, I find myself enjoying the overall aesthetic of the piece. I enjoyed the visuals (keeping 1983 in mind) including the murky surroundings, the heaviness of the atmosphere and the use of slow motion. The Tangerine Dream soundtrack is a bit cheesy but when Dr. Cuza is marching the talisman out of the depths of the mountain and through the keep, the swelling and ethereal sound of “Talisman” I get a little excited. Some of the special effects, while dated, are still pretty cool to me (Rasalom still looks stupid though). I would be remiss if I didn’t concede that yes, the story misses the mark and some of the acting is a bit over the top (Robert Prosky, anyone??).

In the end I like the film for what it is: a piece of eighties entertainment from an up and coming film director, and one of my guilty pleasures.

I’m looking forward to the day the Director’s cut is available on DVD which will also be the same day that O. J. Simpson finds out who the real killer is…

Cry havoc, and let slip the throwers of flame!

I was hoping you cool kids could settle something for me. A friend of mine seems to think that the creature in Secret Circles is a Rakosh. I don't see how it could be since it was described as having a tentacle. She thinks that this was the Rakosh's tongue. Also, I don't think there were any living Rakosh at the time. I thought there were none until Kasum hatched the egg and bred them in The Tomb.

So, Rakosh or not?

Hello,

I just wanted to say that I am glad I found this forum. I just finished reading the Adversary Cycle for the first time and I have been unable to discuss it with anyone around here because no one I know has ever read it. I read The Keep about 10 years ago, thought it was fantastic, and wished that there were more to the story. Then I find out, by accident actually, about the Cycle and I don't think I've ever been so engrossed in an epic narrative as I have been with this one.

For that I would like to say, "Thank you Mr. Wilson!"

Now, onto the Repairman Jack novels.

Looking forward to reading/discussing in this forum.

SPOILERS




Ok...who's watching?

Back to my every Sunday night glued to True Blood. I just love this series. At least these vampires have bite...lol

I just love Pam and Jessica. The queen...meh...she can fall on her own stake.
Andy is a trip....giving poor Jason advice. And Jason mad at "himself"...lol, that was hysterical. But I wonder if the bullet holes Jason saw are prophetic?
Lafayette...what can you say.... practically every line from him has me in fits of laughter.
The dream scene between Sam and Bill got a few gaks from someone...lol and yet the 2 girls got a "now you're talking"

I'll stop with the basement scene with Eric and his new dancer. Can ya say...oh my!

Dolan's Cadillac, it's based on the novel by Stephen King's short stoty. Christian Slater played Dolan.

I read it in "Nightmares and Dreamscapes". It's a revenge story but I didn't get particularly any impression. Honestly I almost forgot detail. But as the plot unravels, I recalled the ending. Wow, THAT's perfect revenge!

I got this pic of the Annoying Orange Facebook page.

I found it appropriate.

Am rereading the series, trying to get all the players straight in my head (hah!) just finished Legacies, and was surprised at Jack's discomfort in the woods, as I have recently finished Secret Histories, in which he is all over the Barrens.
Oddly, this in no way detracted from the enjoyment of the story, now I have to dig up my copy of, what, is Conspiracies next?

Oh, yeah, and hi, everybody.

First of all, let me say that I was disappointed with this movie, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. It was unintentionally funny. Outrageously so. If John Waters redid Species without the gore and killings, he'd have made Splice. Here's what you can expect: beastiality, incest, rape, child abuse, and transgenderism. Of course, this is all played against the allegorical story of raising a child, in the same way that David Lynch's Eraserhead was about raising a child. So, forget your notions of seeing a scare-fest and perhaps wait for the rental. Not quite the level of Plan Nine from Outer Space, but almost as funny.

AC

P.S. I felt so icky after the movie, I had to take a shower.

Any updates on when Black Wind and The Keep will be released either on the Kindle or through Smashwords? Mr. Wilson had originally mentioned a possible June release.
Thanks, Steve

To Mr. F. Paul Wilson-
I have been a fan of horror novels (and movies) since my 14th year. At that time in 1987, I found and fell in love with Stephen King. About three years ago, I popped into a secondhand bookstore and was looking through the major discount racks and found one of your books. I had been looking for Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Jonathan Kellerman, Robin Cook or John Steinbeck(not horror I know, but wonderful nonetheless). I had found a few of my favorite authors' titles, but then I happened to pick up one of your books. The title "The Haunted Air" intrigued me. Then, lo and behold, you were verified and I was hooked. The inside cover pronounced that Stephen King is the "President of F. Paul Wilson's fan club". I grabbed that book, ran out of the store and furiously read it in about 2-2 and a half hours. Since that time, I have been utterly hooked on any work of yours I can afford to put my hands on. (especially anything about Repairman Jack) Your ability to call upon and create amazing supernatural (and fully believable) situtations is a true pleasure. Thank you for all your marvelous works and I anticipate fully reading many more of your books in the future. Karen Ream