Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown (2008) User Reviews

Technically good, but a shallow content

[msb-utils · 7/10 · 24 November 2009]

I saw this movie on Fantaspoa/2009. I was anxious to see it, as I am a Lovecraft fan, but I have to admit I got disappointed with this movie. Little information on it was new to me. In my opinion, this was a shallow documentary. It gives only an overview on the works that influenced him, and it covers a bit of his work. It tells more about his life and his career, even though not complete, and missing some points that I consider important. And it gives you some notion of his influence in other artists (writers, musicians, painters), with some testimonials. This really is a documentary for people who know nothing or very little of the author. But you should have read some of his stories, so that you know what this film is talking about when it mentions some characters/monsters. Considering that the books I've already read always tell a bit about his life, assuming those who read Lovecraft also read a little about his life/work/career, I guess this documentary doesn't add much.

On the good side, technically this documentary is very good. It doesn't get boring. Displaying places, narrating his life, and mixing that with the testimonials and images of his monsters as imagined by different artists, it keeps a good flow. It really is a professional work.

Delve into what lurks beneath,..

[paul_haakonsen · 7/10 · 7 May 2012]

"Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown" is a nice documentary about author Howard Philips Lovecraft's life. And this particular documentary is a great introduction to the force behind some of the most influential horror writings in the 20th century.

As an avid fan of Lovecraft's writing, and finding many of the films based on his work interesting as well, I sat down to watch this documentary and found it to be quite good. You were given bits and pieces of the author's past and history, bits and pieces which you may or may not already have been familiar with. But regardless, "Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown" is a great introduction for new fans of his timeless works.

The documentary has appearances by some of the more influential horror writers and movie directors of the 21st century, giving their input and adding to the story. Which I found to be a nice touch.

Of course, "Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown" is a piece that is intended for fans of H. P. Lovecraft, and if you sit down to watch this documentary without knowing what it is, you might be sorely disappointed, because this is not for everyone to enjoy.

"Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown" also delves into the Cthulhu mythos to stir up enough interest for new audiences to spark a flame of interest. And for us well-read fans, the documentary does bring about some interesting facts.

As a fan of Lovecraft, I found "Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown" to be a good supplement to the books on my bookshelves. And if you enjoy Lovecraft's works, then watch this documentary. And if you are a fledgling fan in the works, then "Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown" is a good introduction to the fabulous works of one of the greatest authors in the horror genre.

Only interesting for the interviews

[krachtm · 6/10 · 3 August 2012]

Unfortunately, if you've ever read anything about Lovecraft's life, this documentary will probably end up leaving you wanting something a bit more in depth. For one thing, the Wikipedia entry on Lovecraft is actually quite good. It covers everything that this documentary covers, and you get the benefit of seeing citations. The interviews aren't really all that great, but you do get to hear some interesting people talk about a subject that interests them. If you're watching this documentary, then you probably share that same interest.

Unlike some other reviewers, I'm not sure that this is a good introduction to Lovecraft. The documentary assumes that you have at least passing familiarity with each story, though it usually does give a very brief synopsis. I would have preferred that they had either gone much more in depth, with actual literary criticism (they had S.T. Joshi there, after all) or done more of a beginner's introduction.

In the end, I can't really recommend this for either beginners or fanatics. It occupies an awkward middle ground: those who have read the stories but don't really know much about Lovecraft. Thus, I recommend it mostly for the interviews. One of the interviewees is a complete ass, going on some rant about "islamofascism" in the middle of the documentary. I can't believe they left that in, yet they barely got any comments at all from John Carpenter. And this is right after going on about the Lovecraft's xenophobia and racism. Amazing.

A Look At H.P. Lovecraft's Overall Influence On Modern-Day Horror

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 3 June 2020]

(*H.P. Lovecraft quote*) - "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear."

Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937) is widely considered to be the forefather of modern-day horror-fiction.

Through interviews and stills - This "Fear of the Unknown" bio-documentary not only looks at the life and times of Lovecraft - But, it also discusses (in fair detail) the overall influence and impact that his "tales-of-the-weird" have had on horror fiction and fright films of today.

I think it's interesting to note that during his lifetime (as a writer) Lovecraft was not recognized for his work, at all, and he inevitably died in literal poverty.

Long live Lovecraft...

[poe426 · 10/10 · 25 July 2011]

It was interesting to see, at long last, a documentary about the reclusive "gentleman from Rhode Island" (as Robert E. Howard referred to him). For fans of fright fiction, there aren't a whole lot of writers whose work can hold a candle to that of Lovecraft (for my money, there are only a handful: Robert E. Howard himself, Edgar Allen Poe, Richard Matheson, Harlan Ellison, Charles Beaumont, and Shirley Jackson). Some of my own earliest stories were inspired by Lovecraft and, although I now own two Lovecraft biographies, this is the very first time I've ever seen a documentary (courtesy of The Chiller Channel) about the man. Long overdue, to say the least. The comments made by the frightmeisters herein are all surprisingly well-informed (especially those by director Del Toro, whose movies THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE and PAN'S LABYRINTH are themselves stellar examples of the kind of horror(s) Lovecraft often unearthed). A must-see for anyone interested in one of the pioneering True Greats.

"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." - H.P. Lovecraft

[Bored_Dragon · 7/10 · 11 August 2018]

I'm not a fan of documentaries, but this one I just had to see. A documentary about Lovecraft, the father of modern horror, from the corner of the great names of the genre, such as Nile Gaiman, one of my favorite writers, then Peter Straub, who collaborated with Stephen King on the "Talisman" novel, directors by Guillermo del Toro, Stuart Gordon and John Carpenter, and others. Technically, the film is well-made, combining a narrative about the life and work of H.P. Lovecraft, with interviews with the aforementioned giants, as well as with movies, music and paintings inspired by Lovecraft. The film has a good pace and at no time is it boring, but it is essentially quite basic and made primarily for the people who know little or nothing about this legend. Although I only got some new information about Lovecraft's biography, while I did not find out anything new about his work, I enjoyed listening to my favorite writers and directors talking about Lovecraft with love. Recommendation.

7/10

Lovecraft

[aratron-00391 · 8/10 · 11 January 2021]

Good document with excellent interviews from authors and film makers in the horror genre. Learned alot about H.P. Lovecraft. Well done documentary. Worth a watch.

functional biopic

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 9 January 2016]

H.P. Lovecraft is an influential American horror writer. In 1893, his father goes insane and eventually dies from syphilis. His mother Sarah would smother her only child to a disturbing level. The Lovecrafts are an old English family. His maternal grandfather is a wealthy industrialist who encouraged him to read. His weak nature kept him out of school much of the time. His loneliness and insecurities fostered by his mother led him to a warped imagination of a disturbing hidden world of horrors. His grandfather dies and family fortune is lost. He falls further into isolation and depression only to be rescued by his pulp writings. His amateur journalism reveals a xenophobia but garners a loyal following. This allows his disturbing tales with an overwrought baroque style to be printed. He would struggle financially throughout his life.

This is a functional biopic detailing Lovecraft's life. It's laid out in a straight forward manner with narration. There are lots of talking heads with a few recognizable faces. This is a traditional doc that is on the lower budget level. This is fine for the general public and a good overall view for fans.

Colorful Introduction and Introspection

[LeonLouisRicci · 10/10 · 7 August 2014]

Extremely Entertaining Documentary on the Life and Work of Influential Horror Author Lovecraft who was One Strange, Suffering, and Afflicted Soul. His Work, as Literally Illustrated in this Loving Film, is Dissected and Discussed by Professional Authors and Filmmakers.

The Casual Way the Documentarians put together this Somewhat Comprehensive Study is Charming, Informative, and Insightful. The Body of Work by Lovecraft is Touched On Not Only by Opinions and Analysis, but by Artistic Illustrations that are Illuminating and Interesting, Colorful Displays of the Monsters that Inhabited Lovecraft's Work and His Fragile Mind.

The Film is Riveting at Times because the Subject is a Bizarre Man who Wrote about the Extremely Bizarre and Things that can Barely be Understood by the Mind of Man. Lovecraft Reminds the Reader of that Scary Situation Frequently. He was Uncomfortable and Fearful with the World, its People and was even More Uncomfortable about what Might Lurk just Beyond the Boundaries of the Known.

Overall, this is an Excellent Introduction to the Man and His Work. Informed Viewers have to Endure some Basics but there is Quite Enough Here that can be a Lively Forum from Interesting Fans like Stuart Gordon, Neil Gaiman, John Carpenter, Guillermo Del Toro, Peter Straub, and Others All Contributing to this Fine Film.

While far from complete, a good introduction for the uninitiated and fans alike.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 6 June 2012]

This is a documentary about the bizarre fantasy writer, H.P. Lovecraft. It consists of narration and LOTS of interviews--some from such notable personalities as Gillermo del Toro, Neil Gaiman and John Carpenter. All of the folks being interviewed are writers, directors and the like--and they all are huge fans of Lovecraft. To me, this is actually a bit of a weakness, as instead of looking at him objectively, they looked at him as fans. Because of that, they tended to excuse or de-emphasize his many faults. When talking about his extreme xenophobia (he truly hated foreigners and 'inferior' peoples), they seemed to gloss over it--though even by early 20th century standards he was extreme. They also seemed to love him so much that they were reticent to discuss his mental health--which was CLEARLY very, very bad! I would have much preferred the approach that he was a great writer AND a terribly screwed up and nasty man. So, if you want a warts and all look at Lovecraft or an in-depth biography, keep looking--this is more a celebration of his work with some biography thrown in as well. Not bad but not exactly what I'd hoped it would have been.

Just a Bit Short

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 27 November 2020]

I agree with others. While this is entertaining, giving us a view of this interesting figure, there isn't much new to fans. The fun is seeing some of the kings of the horror and sci fi genre, talking about the influences of the man. Also, the graphics were a good deal of fun. Because of Lovecraft's reclusiveness, it's hard to get inside his head. But his extensive letter writing (I own five volumes of his letters) we know many of his quirks, but what was going on behind closed doors is another matter. In modern terms he wasn't a very kind or pleasant fellow, but he had a unique talent.

Nice primer

[NickKnack68 · 7/10 · 6 February 2022]

Not sure seasoned fans will gain much here, but newcomers will surely get a good grasp on what drove Lovecraft to write. Was nice listening to modern authors and filmmakers give their views on him and some of the shared illustrations are the doc's highlights.

Overrated. Has issues.

[ebeckstr-1 · 5/10 · 2 August 2022]

This is an okay, very general biography of lovecraft. Its issues include interviews with almost exclusively white men, and what at times seems like an apologetic approach to the writer's racism. There are plenty of scholars and authors of color, and plenty of women and others, who the producers of this documentary could have interviewed. Furthermore, while it is true that in some ways Lovecraft was a product of his time, it is also true there were plenty of people in the Twenties and Thirties who were not racist. With respect to the interviews, while it is entertaining to hear the likes of Campbell, Carpenter, and Gaiman comment on Lovecraft, there is little depth to their remarks, which can also be blamed on the producers for not asking more incisive questions.

Bit shallow, but gained a few new insights still

[thedarkhorizon · 6/10 · 7 April 2021]

Little was new to me, but hearing fans like John Carpenter and Nail Gailman speak about this amazing author was still delightful.

Amazing

[T0mmj · 10/10 · 25 March 2021]

This is one of my favorite documentaries, it's great mainly because it is hard to mess up a documentary on such an interesting person.

Workmanlike doc

[jellopuke · 7/10 · 12 December 2020]

Well made look at the icon with the standard construction of talking heads. For what it is, it's fine and the people talking are good fits. Nothing superlative, but nothing bad either. Probably more for fans as I'm not sure this would convert anyone.

A wonderful introduction to one of horror's biggest icons.

[Analog_Devotee · 8/10 · 21 January 2022]

Fantastic documentary for anyone looking to learn a little more about Lovecraft. Steller choices of interviewees from filmmakers such as John Carpenter and Stuart Gordon to horror literary icons such as Ramsey Campbell and Peter Straub, and of course the ultimate Lovecraft scholar S. T. Joshi.

Highly recommended.

What a documentary biopic should be

[Leofwine_draca · 9/10 · 22 January 2021]

Having sat through the lacklustre FULCI FOR FAKE yesterday, I was looking for something with a little bit more meat and LOVECRAFT: FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN is the very tonic. It's a biopic of the great writer with interviews featuring many modern day writers and scholars influenced by his work, from Ramsey Campbell and Neil Gaiman to S.T. Joshi and Robert M. Price. The documentary is chock full of great artwork inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos, and a full picture of the man with all his faults is painted here. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Great Introduction To Documentaries

[jndfnpa · 10/10 · 26 February 2021]

This was the first documentary I ever sat down to watch. First I thought it would be too long. At the end I thought it was too short. It introduced me to the world of Cthulhu, sci-fi, horror and some great authors. I watch it and Clean, another Frank H Woodward creation often to remind myself how I became a sci-fi enthusiast.

Literary Racism is still Racism

[kristin-02657 · 2/10 · 13 September 2021]

The documentary starts out interesting with a history of Lovecrafts childhood and relationship with his mother. The movie is punctuated by interviews with icons of movie making...they still had me. It moves into his relationship with his wife, move to NY then they lost me. Seeking to attempt to provide reason for Lovecrafts literary racism wondering, well was he really a racist? Or was he just a man in New England at the time? If someone uses racist language in their writing are they racist? Institutional and systemic racism at its best, the producers failing to see that whiteness is what everything else is compared against. It's disappointing the filmmakers clearly don't get that. I turned it off.

Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown

[henry8-3 · 5/10 · 23 April 2022]

A good introduction to HP Lovecraft's ideas and stories as related by a number of his admirers including Guillermo del Toro, Peter Straub and Neil Gaiman. They take a chronological look through his many works whilst analysing both his style and his influences. It's this latter point that makes the documentary so interesting, as Lovecraft doesn't come across as the cuddliest person ever and whilst of his era, had a number of serious issues including xenophobia. The admirers are also very honest, quite happily prepared to highlight Lovercraft's story writing weaknesses.

Overall, insightful, although you get the impression that these guys are members of a very private fan club for a very odd fellow.