Gothic

An impromptu party on the picturesque shores of Lake Geneva leads to a goulish night of terror: a night which will ultimately inspire the writing of two great horror classics: Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' and Dr Polidori's 'The Vampyre'. Exiled Lord Byron (Gabriel Byrne) and his macabre companion Dr Polidoroi play host to the poet Shelley (Julian Sands), his mistress Mary and her step-sister Claire. As the violent storm rages outside, after-dinner conversation turns to the telling of ghost stories. A bizarre seance follows, unleashing an evil host of unimaginable, opium-enchanced horrors. A demonic presence prevades the villa, trailing in it's wake an orgy of deadly vipers, ghostly manifestations, blood-sucking leeches and rampant sexual frenzy. When morning breaks, each member of the party has lived through their worst nightmares, brought vividly and chillingly to life by outrageous, ever-controversial director Ken Russell. © Virgin Vision Ltd.