<p>This time on General Witchfinders, we’re heading into deep space — and hell itself — with the notorious 1997 science fiction horror film <em>Event Horizon</em>.··</p><p>Directed by Paul Anderson and written by Philip Eisner, <em>Event Horizon</em> is set in 2047. A rescue crew investigates the ship Event Horizon, which vanished years earlier and is now orbiting Neptune.··</p><p>After <em>Mortal Kombat</em> (1995), Anderson was suddenly in demand, linked to <em>Mortal Kombat: Annihilation</em> and even <em>X-Men</em>. Instead, he wanted a darker R-rated project. Paramount gave him Eisner’s script, first about alien creatures, but Anderson reworked it into a haunted house in space, drawing on <em>The Haunting</em> and <em>The Shining</em>.··</p><p>Filming was rushed when <em>Titanic</em> slipped its release. The first 130-minute cut was heavily trimmed after poor test screenings. One infamous scene, a Bosch-inspired vision of Hell using amputees and adult performers, survived only as brief flashes but fuelled the film’s cult status.··</p><p>The gravity drive began as a floating black hole but was redesigned as rotating spiked rings, echoing Clive Barker’s <em>Hellraiser</em> and biblical Ophanim. Built to really move, it rattled so much that dialogue was re-recorded later. Eisner admitted Warhammer 40,000’s “Warp” also influenced the idea.··</p><p>At the time Anderson was credited as “Paul Anderson.” He later added the W. S. to avoid confusion with Paul Thomas Anderson. His later films include <em>Resident Evil</em> entries and <em>Alien vs. Predator</em>.··</p><p>Filming took place at Pinewood Studios with visual effects by Cinesite and the Computer Film Company. The interior design was inspired by Notre Dame, creating a cruciform gothic cathedral feel. An early space station shot of Dr. Weir took 10 weeks, a third of the FX budget, and was redone more than 20 times. Composer Michael Kamen worked with Orbital for a hybrid score.··</p><p>Laurence Fishburne plays Captain Miller of the Lewis and Clark. He later voiced the Silver Surfer, played Jack Crawford in <em>Hannibal</em>, and appeared in <em>A Nightmare on Elm Street 3</em>.··</p><p>Sam Neill plays Dr. William Weir. Famous for <em>Jurassic Park</em>, he once auditioned for James Bond, losing to Timothy Dalton, and appeared in <em>Possession</em> and <em>Omen III: The Final Conflict</em>.··</p><p>Jason Isaacs appears as D.J., the medic. Early credits include <em>The Tall Guy</em>. He went on to play Lucius Malfoy in <em>Harry Potter</em> and Harry H. Corbett in <em>The Curse of Steptoe</em>. He recalled <em>Event Horizon</em> as “genuinely disturbing,” especially the “hell set.”··</p><p>Sean Pertwee plays pilot Smith. Son of Jon Pertwee, the Third Doctor, he appeared in <em>Cadfael</em>, horror favourite <em>Dog Soldiers</em>, and later <em>Gotham</em> as Alfred Pennyworth, reimagined as ex-special forces.··</p><p><em>Event Horizon</em> remains a cult 1990s sci-fi horror, combining gothic design, disturbing imagery, and a cast of future stars. Its lost footage and production stories keep fans returning to one of the most infamous horror films of the decade.·</p><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders">http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

Ross, Jon & James | Exploring Cult British Horror Films, TV & Books

61 - Event Horizon (1997 - Dir. Paul W S Anderson)

AUG 29, 202582 MIN
General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

61 - Event Horizon (1997 - Dir. Paul W S Anderson)

AUG 29, 202582 MIN

Description

<p>This time on General Witchfinders, we’re heading into deep space — and hell itself — with the notorious 1997 science fiction horror film <em>Event Horizon</em>.··</p><p>Directed by Paul Anderson and written by Philip Eisner, <em>Event Horizon</em> is set in 2047. A rescue crew investigates the ship Event Horizon, which vanished years earlier and is now orbiting Neptune.··</p><p>After <em>Mortal Kombat</em> (1995), Anderson was suddenly in demand, linked to <em>Mortal Kombat: Annihilation</em> and even <em>X-Men</em>. Instead, he wanted a darker R-rated project. Paramount gave him Eisner’s script, first about alien creatures, but Anderson reworked it into a haunted house in space, drawing on <em>The Haunting</em> and <em>The Shining</em>.··</p><p>Filming was rushed when <em>Titanic</em> slipped its release. The first 130-minute cut was heavily trimmed after poor test screenings. One infamous scene, a Bosch-inspired vision of Hell using amputees and adult performers, survived only as brief flashes but fuelled the film’s cult status.··</p><p>The gravity drive began as a floating black hole but was redesigned as rotating spiked rings, echoing Clive Barker’s <em>Hellraiser</em> and biblical Ophanim. Built to really move, it rattled so much that dialogue was re-recorded later. Eisner admitted Warhammer 40,000’s “Warp” also influenced the idea.··</p><p>At the time Anderson was credited as “Paul Anderson.” He later added the W. S. to avoid confusion with Paul Thomas Anderson. His later films include <em>Resident Evil</em> entries and <em>Alien vs. Predator</em>.··</p><p>Filming took place at Pinewood Studios with visual effects by Cinesite and the Computer Film Company. The interior design was inspired by Notre Dame, creating a cruciform gothic cathedral feel. An early space station shot of Dr. Weir took 10 weeks, a third of the FX budget, and was redone more than 20 times. Composer Michael Kamen worked with Orbital for a hybrid score.··</p><p>Laurence Fishburne plays Captain Miller of the Lewis and Clark. He later voiced the Silver Surfer, played Jack Crawford in <em>Hannibal</em>, and appeared in <em>A Nightmare on Elm Street 3</em>.··</p><p>Sam Neill plays Dr. William Weir. Famous for <em>Jurassic Park</em>, he once auditioned for James Bond, losing to Timothy Dalton, and appeared in <em>Possession</em> and <em>Omen III: The Final Conflict</em>.··</p><p>Jason Isaacs appears as D.J., the medic. Early credits include <em>The Tall Guy</em>. He went on to play Lucius Malfoy in <em>Harry Potter</em> and Harry H. Corbett in <em>The Curse of Steptoe</em>. He recalled <em>Event Horizon</em> as “genuinely disturbing,” especially the “hell set.”··</p><p>Sean Pertwee plays pilot Smith. Son of Jon Pertwee, the Third Doctor, he appeared in <em>Cadfael</em>, horror favourite <em>Dog Soldiers</em>, and later <em>Gotham</em> as Alfred Pennyworth, reimagined as ex-special forces.··</p><p><em>Event Horizon</em> remains a cult 1990s sci-fi horror, combining gothic design, disturbing imagery, and a cast of future stars. Its lost footage and production stories keep fans returning to one of the most infamous horror films of the decade.·</p><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders">http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>