Horror,Fantasy
United Kingdom
The Gorgon is a 1964 horror film directed by legendary British filmmaker Terence Fisher and produced by Hammer Film Productions, known for their horror output during the 1950s and 60s.
The film is set in the early 20th century in the fictional German village of Vandorf. The opening scene depicts a young artist being turned to stone after encountering a mysterious woman in the woods. The local doctor, Namaroff (Peter Cushing), attributes the death to a heart attack, but his assistant, Carla (Barbara Shelley), suspects foul play.
As more young men turn up dead, all with the telltale signs of being turned to stone, the arrival of Professor Meister (Christopher Lee) sparks further investigation. Meister is an expert in mythology and suspects that the creature responsible for the deaths is none other than the Gorgon, a figure from Greek mythology notorious for turning people to stone.
The film follows Meister and Carla's investigations, as well as their burgeoning romance, all while the Gorgon lurks in the shadows. When the Gorgon is finally revealed, her true identity is a shock to the characters and the audience alike.
The Gorgon is notable for being one of the few horror films of the era to feature a female villain, as well as for its blending of Greek mythology with horror tropes. It also features iconic performances from Lee and Cushing, both of whom were frequent collaborators with Hammer Films.
