The Edgar Allan Poe Collection

Volume. 1: Annabel Lee DVD

Lurker Films

R1 DVD

Web: http://www.lurkerfilms.com

Inspired by Edgar A. Poe's poem Annabel Lee, Poe himself comes to life through the magic of stop-motion animation in a brooding and dark short film by George Higham. It is hard to describe the unique experience that awaits you in this film. Through the expert use of puppets, stop motion animation and a tortured soundtrack we enter the mind of Edgar A Poe through our experience of his tale Annabal Lee.

I watched this short film a number of times and noticed more and more each viewing. It has resonances with German Expressionism and at times seems more like a living painting than a film, each image has been carefully prepared for maximum effect and indeed every screen includes a vast number of carefully crafted elements. At first it seems strange to be emotionally moved by puppets but within a short time reality is suspended and you enter into the nightmare world of a love which has been lost. The world created is truly overpowering and is like experiencing a nightmare fixed onto a TV screen, it is disturbing, dark and deeply moving.

The music is by Bill Warford and Pat Gillis of Northern Machine and mixes a Gothic sound with industrial and dark ambient elements. It is a powerful soundtrack and creates a uniquely melancholic mood.

Annabal Lee is a truly dark visionary experience and is unique in its exploration of the soul of Edgar Allan Poe.

This DVD also includes an excellent retelling of the Raven by Peter Bradley, a short based on the Tell Tale Heart by Euro Horror legend Paul Nashy and some nice extras including a Poe Biography and interviews with the various film makers.