Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

[snwrist]

...and by that, I mean big. Ambitious. Vast. del Toro's AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS is a good example. THE SHINING is another good one. In that film, the Overlook Hotel was like a gigantic maze through Jack's psyche. BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, THE THING, ALIEN...

...anyone else?

[Terrance Mulloy]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

As far as novels are concerned - The Terror by Dan Simmons. It's epic in every way, including page count.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terror_(novel)

Enjoy.

[snwrist]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

As far as novels are concerned - The Terror by Dan Simmons. It's epic in every way, including page count.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terror_(novel)

Enjoy.

Thanks man -- will check it out. Sounds very cool.

[one seven spectrum]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

The Shining

[Knaight]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

Might not be exactly what you're looking for, but if you can get your hands on KILLING ON CARNIVAL ROW or THE MANY DEATHS OF BARNABY JAMES, I think you'll be pretty pleased.

[loopdesign]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

As far as novels are concerned - The Terror by Dan Simmons. It's epic in every way, including page count.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terror_(novel)

Enjoy.

Second. By the time you finish the novel, you feel like you've gone on the journey with the characters. Although the title is a bit deceptive IMO. I wouldn't refer to this as a straight horror story. For me, it falls more into the "survival horror or adventure survival" realm.

[ProBono Writer]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

The Shining

Lol. Did you read the OP or just the thread title?

[tuukka]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

As far as novels are concerned - The Terror by Dan Simmons. It's epic in every way, including page count.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terror_(novel)

Enjoy.

If we're talking about novels and Dan Simmons, then Carrion Comfort and Summer Of Night are two other, epic, excellent horror stories.

In fact almost anything that the hard-working, genre-hopping Simmons writes, ranges between very good and absolutely brilliant. Easily one of my favorite authors. I'm reading his latest right now, Black Hills, and it's pretty damn great so far.

[snwrist]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

Thanks for all the recommends! I'm definitely going to check out The Terror and other Dan Simmons novels.

Might not be exactly what you're looking for, but if you can get your hands on KILLING ON CARNIVAL ROW or THE MANY DEATHS OF BARNABY JAMES, I think you'll be pretty pleased.

LOVED these, esp. Barnaby James.

[tuukka]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

Kaufman's 70's version of Body Snatchers is the best version of the story, and epic in nature.

The Changeling (1980) is not epic per se, but very classy and similar to Shining. Little seen film, very good. Other horror movies that have limited story scale but feel big and ambitious: The Others and The Ring. Also, The Fly deals with big ideas.

Omen and Rosemary's Baby, of course.

Dawn Of The Dead is epic. The remake is actually good too, even if the directing and acting are much better than the sloppy writing.

The Birds and Jaws.

The Crazies from last spring is surprisingly good, and rather apocalyptic.

Seven is not a horror movie per se, but fits the bill otherwise.

[AK7576]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

As far as Dan Simmons is concerned I loved his (I think first) novel about India and Cali.

[bb6634]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

Recently read Justin Cronin's The Passage (optioned by Ridley Scott), a post apocalyptic vampire novel, is epic in scope (and page count). The first book of the upcoming trilogy covers a hundred years and the next two promise to cover a millennium. It's reminiscent of Stephen King's The Stand.
As far as movies, would the Alien films, taken as a whole, count?
Also the "Watch" films and books: NightWatch, DayWatch, and the forthcoming TwilightWatch, and the concluding LastWatch.

[MontanaHans]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

Scripts:
SPRAWL
BOY SCOUTS VS. ZOMBIES
KITCHEN SINK
SKYLINE


Movies:
EVENT HORIZON
HELLRAISER
ZODIAC
HOUSE (1986)
PLANET TERROR
DRAG ME TO HELL
THE ROAD
SUNSHINE

[snwrist]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

Scripts:
SPRAWL
BOY SCOUTS VS. ZOMBIES
KITCHEN SINK
SKYLINE


Movies:
EVENT HORIZON
HELLRAISER
ZODIAC
HOUSE (1986)
PLANET TERROR
DRAG ME TO HELL
THE ROAD
SUNSHINE

SKYLINE, as in, the recently released invasion film? Haven't seen it, but heard bad things. SPRAWL was a decent thriller, but I'm skeptical as to how "scary" it will be on film. Then again, JOYRIDE doesn't necessarily sound scary on paper...but it certainly translated well to the silver screen. I heard about the other two scripts, but they sounded a bit too horror-comedy. Will check out on recommendation.

Very good calls on Event Horizon, Hellraiser, Zodiac and Sunshine. Never really thought of them as epic horror films per se, but now that you mention it...they're perfect examples. Will have to rewatch these.

[snwrist]

Re: Examples of Epic Horror Scripts/Films...

The Birds and Jaws.

Yep, and PSYCHO. In fact, many Hitchcock films would qualify here. FRENZY, for sure. Even REAR WINDOW...despite it all taking place in one apartment, an apt. courtyard, and binocular lens into another apt. What kind of films would Hitchcock be making today if he were still alive?

Friedkin is a master at this type of stuff, as is Kubrick. The two quintessential epic horror films I can honestly name are THE EXORCIST and THE SHINING. I would even go so far as to call BUG an epic horror film in the sense that it intricately explores mental deterioration and paranoia. And the "bug" delusion was esp. disturbing and symbolic. I know most people hated the film, but most people are wrong