Librarian 3

Curse of the Judas Chalice

Beyond Entertainment

R4 DVD

The Librarian series is a bit like a cross between Indiana Jones and National Treasure. It could have easily taken itself too seriously and become droll and clichéd, however, Jonathan Drakes had taken Marco Schnabel’s script and created a witty, fun and at time deliberately outrageous spin on the adventure genre. Originally made for cable TV the Librarian proved so successful that various sequels have been made, this one focuses on the Judas Chalice. The series plays on the myths and legends regarding secret maps and occult treasures, it is packed with every conceivable reference to strange and esoteric tales. Anyone who has read occult, new age or related books will find themselves amused by the constant witty use of these “kooky” beliefs to form the backdrop of the film.

The whole idea of a “Librarian” as a secret adventurer protecting mankind from evil while guarding the world’s greatest library is eccentric and effective. It seems that under the Metropolitan Library of New York is a giant secret complex where the world’s greatest treasures are stored, from UFO’s to H.G Well’s Time Machine, from Noah’s Ark to the Ark of the Covenant. It is controlled by Judson (who may or may not be its original 2000 year old founder) and his offsider and accountant Charlene. Flynn is the Librarian and after protecting the world from thirty five forms of evil in many different missions and having his girlfriend dump him is ready to have a meltdown. He is offered some time off and cannot wait to take it.

He spends time relaxing at home, reading, exploring card games and generally doing very little. Then he has a rather sexy dream of a woman in New Orleans and so decides to go away on vacation. Of course, nothing is ever as easy as it seems for Flynn. He soon finds that his dream lover is a 400 year old vampire who is guarding a medallion which gives the location of the Judas Chalice. She, however, is a “nice” vampire who does not bite but lives off frozen blood packs. However, the ex head of the KGB believes Russia has fallen to anarchism and chaos and hence is after the Chalice too. His aim is to resurrect Dracula (Vlad the Impaler) to bring about the resurrection of Russian aristocracy once and for all and then with an army of the dead bring the world under Russian dominion.

If this sounds totally B grade, perhaps it is, but surprisingly it works exceptionally well. This was clearly made for television (the ad breaks give it away), but the sets and special effects are surprisingly impressive and in many ways their “cult” character adds to the humour of the film which is backed by a very witty and amusing plot filled with great dialogue.

Noah Wyle as the Librarian is excellent, suave yet geeky, nerdy yet passionate; he plays his roll to perfection. One thing that I especially noted with the Curse of the Judas Chalice was the great music. Jonathan Frakes loves Blues and Jazz and it shows in this film, it is packed with great sounds from Blues and Jazz tracks to Seventies riffs, this focus on the soundscape of the film adds an extra texture not found often in a made for TV production.

The Librarian 3 has been released by Beyond Entertainment in DVD and Blu Ray formats.

This review will appear in Volume 2:1 (2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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