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THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN
Produced by Michael Patience and Bob Fugger
Directed and Edited by Bob Fugger
Written by Steve Abbott
Director of Photography - Andre FernandesMiles - Rene Delazio
Billy - Todd Sanderson
Ronnie - Rock Moran
The Old Man - Paul AbbottThe end credits state that Bob Fugger's THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN was shot on Beta Cam SP. I could have sworn it was 35 mm. Everything about this movie is beautiful and professional, from the acting to the execution. It reaches beyond the average fan-film to stand on its own merits as a fully realized work of art.
Based on H.P. Lovecraft's original short story, one of which I haven't read, THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN is about three criminals who get more than they bargained for when pitted against someone who just might be one of Lovecraft's Old Gods.
Character and backstory are established within the first minute. Taking his ques from the likes of Quentine Tarantino, the events of THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN take place after a much larger story. That's story's ramifications are what set-up and establish the three protagonists: Miles, Billy, and Ronnie.
During that unseen heist, something went wrong and innocent people were shot. The group never planned to kill anyone, and certainly they didn't plan on dealing with that event's emotions. How these three men come to terms with themselves is how they deal with THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN.
Upon learning that he has a stash of gold coins, the three set out to rob the old man.
Being one of the Old Gods has its advantages. With great power comes the ability to do whatever the hell you want. The Old Man has been tormenting the towns folk for ages. They live in fear, and he does as he pleases, often exchanging a gold coin or two for the right to treat people like garbage. He's like Satan proving that everyone has a price.
With blood on their hands, our gang of criminals have no problems giving into lesser sins like greed. Once you've crossed the line you might as well just keep on trucking because there really is no going back no matter how much you wish you could. It's a hard lesson to learn and not all of the gang are ready to take note.
The filmmakers behind THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN possess a keen insight into what drives a man to do evil. Not having read the original story, I have no idea if this is something Lovecraft intended or some sensibility that the filmmakers infused into the story. THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN raises some interesting questions, the most important of which would be "is there really such a thing as the lesser or two evils?"
Fugger and pals seem to think the answer is "no," but they are willing to admit that there might be such a thing as a more dominate evil. Things done out of choice rather than instinct would fall into this category, and they are what need to be punished.
I'm tempted to say that Bob Fugger is wasting his time on H.P. Lovecraft fan-films and that he should be working on features, but I would rather watch something like THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN over an original effort that falls short on either technical and aesthetic levels; areas where THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN both excell. Fugger is making the movies he wants to see and paying homage to material he clearly loves. No, he isn't wasting his time at all. Good efforts are never wastes, let alone great efforts. But I still think he needs to work on a feature. Something where he can put his talents as a filmmaker to use and possible reap the financial rewards. While his takes on THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN and FROM BEYOND are brilliant labors of love, I just can't see any money being made in the realm of fandom. With THE TERRIBLE OLD MAN as his calling card, Fugger shouldn't have any problem breaking into Hollywood.