This was the very first Masters of Horror episode that I saw and even after other episodes, this one still remains a big favorite.
Thehour-long film tells the story of the famed alcoholic horror author and poet, Edgar Allan Poe, and his struggles to write a new story whilst caring for his consumpted wife, Virginia, when short on money. However, he grows madly obsessed with his black cat, Pluto, who brings him to the point of madness and even murder.
The director, Tom Gordon, clearly knows his Poe and shows that through this film, which can be good for history and literature. For example, the Poes did, in fact, live in poverty and own a lot of pets whilst Edgar was struggling with alcoholism and caring for Virginia when she had caught tuberculosis and she did actually have a massive attack over the piano when singing and playing for Edgar and a guest. As a large fan of Edgar Allan Poe, and since studying his life, I've no regrets in saying that this film was no disappointment in being faithful to both the story and the life of Edgar Allan Poe. The sepia colors with one specific color standing out (namely red) is sheer genius and the acting is superb, not to mention the fact that Jeffery Combs looks exactly like Poe himself. Needless to say, this is the best episode yet and I highly recommend it for Poe fans everywhere. They'll need it if they've seen Ulli Lommel's take on The Raven. Edgar Allan Poe would have been proud.
Thehour-long film tells the story of the famed alcoholic horror author and poet, Edgar Allan Poe, and his struggles to write a new story whilst caring for his consumpted wife, Virginia, when short on money. However, he grows madly obsessed with his black cat, Pluto, who brings him to the point of madness and even murder.
The director, Tom Gordon, clearly knows his Poe and shows that through this film, which can be good for history and literature. For example, the Poes did, in fact, live in poverty and own a lot of pets whilst Edgar was struggling with alcoholism and caring for Virginia when she had caught tuberculosis and she did actually have a massive attack over the piano when singing and playing for Edgar and a guest. As a large fan of Edgar Allan Poe, and since studying his life, I've no regrets in saying that this film was no disappointment in being faithful to both the story and the life of Edgar Allan Poe. The sepia colors with one specific color standing out (namely red) is sheer genius and the acting is superb, not to mention the fact that Jeffery Combs looks exactly like Poe himself. Needless to say, this is the best episode yet and I highly recommend it for Poe fans everywhere. They'll need it if they've seen Ulli Lommel's take on The Raven. Edgar Allan Poe would have been proud.