DVD Review: Beyond the Wall of Sleep

By Jeff Swindoll Jul 15, 2006, 18:14 GMT

 In this adapation of H.P. Lovecraft\'s short story of the same name, William Sanderson plays Joe Slaader - a mysterious mountain man being held in the Ulster County Asylum after the brutal murder of his family. Edward Eischel, a young intern (played by newcomer Fountain Yount), sees something more than just an inbred monster in this new inmate, however. Instead, he sees him as the harbinger of some greater and ...more

This low budget feature was inspired by the story by H. P. Lovecraft.  William Sanderson plays an inbred hillbilly that comes to an asylum and may have connections to another dimension.

In 1908 in the Catskill Mountains, Joe Slaader (William Sanderson) is arrested by the Sheriff (Tom Savini) for the murder of Slaader’s entire family.  He is brought to the Ulster County Asylum for observation.  Dr. Wardlow (Kurt Hargan) wants to immediately dissect Slaader, but orderly Edward Eischel (Fountain Yount) is fascinated by Slaader.  It seems that Slaader has a strange mark on his back that looks as if he absorbed a twin in the womb. 

The asylum’s director Dr. Fenton (Marco St. John) gets on Dr. Wardlow’s bad side (the doctor only has a bad side). It seems that Eischel is conducting experiments of his own in the asylum basement on a patient named Ardelia (Rachel Mellendorf).  He has some ideas about thoughts transmitting energy. 

When he is examining Slaader he hears a voice that he thinks comes from the mind of the absorbed twin who identifies himself as Amducious.  Eischel decides that if he uses Slaader as a subject in his experiments that it will take them to a different level.  However, Dr. Wardlow has taken over the asylum and is still bent on cutting up Slaader.  However Amducious has other plans.

Dr.Wardlow examines Slaader

Beyond the Wall of Sleep tries hard, but its lack of budget pretty much sinks the show.  The filmmakers even tell the tale that Robert Redford (well and the Tennessee Film Board) kicked them out of the abandoned hospital they were using for the asylum so that the Redford starring The Last Castle could use the location.  The acting is also sure to offend, but it was intentional according to the commentary.

They were aiming for a Hammer or 1930s Universal feel to the film and the accentuated acting is part of it.  The film is mostly shot in black and white with occasional color scenes.  The problem is that you find all of this out on the commentary. 

If you’re watching this film for the first time none of this information will help you and you’ll come away having a low opinion of the film.  The other disappointing thing is that the beastie on the cover (an eerie bald monster in a gas mask) is not in the film. 

Beyond the Wall of Sleep is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1) and enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  Special features include a commentary by directors Barrett J. Leigh and Thom Maurer and producer Koko Polosajian. 

The commentary is really a rather fun one and they even talk about how they had to double Sanderson in some shots because he jumped the plane out of town so fast.  Other special features include the theatrical trailer, a storyboard animatic, storyboard gallery, and a collection of trailers for other Lionsgate movies.

Sheriff Savini got $1000 for a day of work

I’ll admit to having not read Lovecraft’s original short story, but have to think that it’s better than the movie (they always are).  Beyond the Wall of Sleep is hampered by a low budget and bad (though intentional) acting. 

Beyond the Wall of Sleep is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.