Crowley [Import]

SHORT ATTENTION SPAN SUMMARY (SASS)

1. A school teacher offers himself to be used in a transformation project
2. He becomes Aleister Crowley
3. The school goes through a real crazy time
4. Things get freaky

Me being a Bruce Dickinson fan to the max, I decided to rent this film after being excited about it finally being released here. Originally released in the UK as "Chemical Wedding", The film is about Professor Haddo, a bumbling teacher who offers himself for a transformation experiment and soon becomes possessed by Aleister Crowley, which soon turns the school (and the town) upside down.

This film is a pretty cool movie, but incredibly flawed one. It was Co-written by Bruce Dickinson and directed by Julian Doyle, and stars Simon Callow as Haddo, turning in his best performance. We also get a brief glimpse into Crowley before his death (played by John Shrapnel), and a cameo by Brucey himself (as the guy with thick rimmed glasses at the beginning).

There are lots of flaws though. The film feels really rushed, I wanted to sort of know more about Crowley's life in general. There's a bit too much sex in this film- I know Crowley believed in sexual magic, but did we really need that sweaty orgy scene? They could have implied it instead of making it like 8 minutes long. And I'll admit the effects were a bit cheesy, but then again this IS a low budget movie.

Anyways, this film is worth it for the finale alone despite the cheesy special effects. This is a pretty good movie, but be aware... this is definitely not for everyone.

I first became aware of Aleister Crowley through press reports that Jimmy Page of led Zeppelin, had been studying the occultist. A period of reading the books of Dennis Wheatley brought a greater awareness of the occult where Crowley's name was frequently mentioned.

This film begins with the impending death of the man whilst being visited by two students from Cambridge University (UK). Just before he dies he curses one of the students and inflicts serious injury to him. Sixty years on, at Cambridge there is a conjunction between scientific experiments in a virtual world and the continuing tradition of the occult within the confines of the University. During that conjunction, one of the dons becomes possessed by the spirit of Crowley and graduall transforms into him

The transformation presages a series of events which appear to have been predestined by Crowley and his followers many years before. The purpose of the events gradually unfolds, as they tend to do in these matters, into the return of the fallen angel.

Simon Callow, the RSC actor excels in his portrayal of the restored Crowley. His energies reflect the larger than life personality of the occultist and the notorious acts for which he was infamous during his lifetime. This is a film of graphic sexuality and bodily functions. Although there is nudity and depictions of orgies and other sexual acts, they are not exhibited except in their role as part of the magickal power. The acts are more of the means by which spells are enacted, a transference of the power of the body into other powerful forms.

Many people will find this film objectionable for a variety of reasons, the subject of the occult or satanic worship, the sexual nature and use of profanities, the rejection of christian sensibilities or for many other reasons. Nevertheless it is a powerful depiction of the life of Crowley itself. Ultimately, in the final scenes of the film, very reminiscent of the previous fim, The Devil Rides Out, the world is restored to order.

Given the difficult subject matter, I think that this film has done a first rate job in enlightening the life and works of Aleister Crowley and is to be commended for it.

Full marks to Bruce Dickinson for making a feature film on Crowley, but it is tacky. Simon Callow puts in a brilliant performance as a character based on Crowley. There are some funny plays on words which Crowley readers will enjoy, like the ZX 93 computer, Haddo being a Crowley nom de plume, etc.

Crowley wasn't quite that beastly and although he loved to dress up in weird costumes, I don't think his tastes stretched to that appalling pink suit! I don't recall that ever peed of his audience or left excrement as a calling card.

All very amusing in a Hammer horror sort of way, but don't expect a serious portrayal of the Master Therion.