Christmas is a time of rituals… and one very dear to our hearts here at Carrion Film is the Christmas Ghost Story. This year, Carrion Film is proud to announce that, following a number of weather related postponements, Ashley Thorpe’s ‘The Demon Huntsman‘ – written for Glass Eye Pix ‘Tales From Beyond the Pale‘ Radio dramas – will be available from nightfall January 11th 2011 (1.11.11), bowing out the critically lauded projects first season.
“Awesome. Great dialogue, some real thrills, and the resolve pitch-perfect… and appropriately tragic.”
– Larry Fessenden (CEO Glass Eye Pix New York)
Though not perhaps strictly a Carrion Film project on paper Ashley Thorpe’s latest Dartmoor chiller is undoubtedly one in spirit. The story, like 2009’s ‘The Hairy Hands‘, was initially set to be part of Carrions first feature ‘Hell Tor‘ before being adapted into a radio drama. Though the subject material is well ‘within Carrion canon’, the script marks a significant departure for the Director.
Director / Scriptwriter Ashley Thorpe – taken from a recent 
interview with Exeter’s Phonic FM’s maverick DJ Lee Rawlings: “I wouldn’t necessarily call it a departure. A development, yes absolutely. In fact the play is archly Carrion Film. It’s the most ‘Hammeresque’ thing I’ve ever done and it’s steeped – drenched – in rich Devon mythology.”
“I would also say that it’s somewhat a hint of things to come. Though I’ll never shy too far from that visual, ‘painterly’ sensibility I’m simultaneously fascinated by narration and its tonal qualities too, so the radio play has been a fascinating and enlightening project to have participated in, given me an insight into new possibilities and collaborations…and to have been chosen to bow out the first season is a great honour. I’ll be sitting listening to it with my eldest son Josh much in the way that my Father sat with me all those years ago listening to M.R James adaptations… By candlelight? Ha ha, of course, one should never do things by halves…I may even get my Frockcoat out.”
An article recently written by Ashley exclusively for FearNet, gives a little background on the myth: “The most famous Dartmoor – set story is undoubtedly Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’. Conan Doyle’s inspirations to write the story were numerous (a visit to Cromer Hall in Norfolk and stories of the mythical ‘Black Shucks’) but the inspiration for the Baskerville legend itself and the landscape wherein it is set was inspired by the legend of Richard Capel – a violent and powerful 17th century Devonshire Squire who enjoyed something of a horrible reputation.”
“He was known to be a persecutor of village maidens, often imprisoning them and subjecting them to horrible cruelty. He was reputed to release them onto the moor, persuing them on horseback, hunting them like animals until they’d fall from exhaustion only then to be set upon by the Squire’s hounds. On the 5th of July 1677, Richard Capel died (I suspect much to the relief of the local townsfolk) and he was laid to rest in a sepulchre in the churchyard above Buckfastleigh. It’s perhaps interesting to note here that the original dedication within Conan Doyle’s novel is to his good friend Fletcher Robinson, a journalist who lived at Ipplepen, a mere 6 miles from Buckfastleigh. But I digress… ”
“Such was the mans evil it is said, that upon his death demonic hounds came baying across the moor to mark his passing. Some variations of the story say that they howl beside his grave every year at the anniversary of his death. Others, that Capel rose from the dead and rides still to this day beside them, looking for further prey upon the bleak landscapes of the moor…”
Inspired by the classic radio shows of Alfred Hitchcock, Boris Karloff , Peter Lorre, and Orson Welles’ Mercury Theatre productions , TALES FROM BEYOND THE PALE is a half hour downloadable audio program featuring notable thespians such as Vincent D’Onofrio, Ron Perlman, Angus Scrimm, Shea Wigham, James Le Gros, Joe Swanberg, and Kevin Corrigan.
‘The Demon Huntsman‘ s cast is headed by Michael Cerveris : Tony Award winning actor for his work on Broadway (most notably for
his lauded run in ‘Sweeney Todd‘) aswell as appearances on ‘CSI New York‘, ‘Fringe‘ and film appearances in ‘Cirque Du Freak‘ (2009) and ‘Stake Land‘ (2010).
Conceived during a fog-drenched car ride by Fessenden and frequent collaborator Glenn McQuaid (I SELL THE DEAD, effects supervisor on THE ROOST and THE LAST WINTER), this project continues the mission at Glass Eye Pix to celebrate individual voices in the arts and to reassert the broad palette of moods that comprise the horror story.
DEMON cast members Campbell, Joel Garland, McQuaid, Aidan Redmond, and Cerveris
From Rue Morgue.com : “Known for his visually voluptuous animated short films, it’s great to see Thorpe explore his familiar universe of forgotten British folk lore without the aid of his distinctive images. But thanks to a juicy little script, some fine voice work and an absolutely brilliant soundscape by the Tales From Beyond The Pale crew, The Demon Hunstman takes us on a galloping, midnight jaunt through the rain-soaked, lightning-riddled Devonshire moors. It beautifully captures Thorpe’s aesthetic and joins the ranks of his earlier works as yet another charming love letter to the sumptuous Hammer Horror Film.”
All episodes of TALES FROM BEYOND THE PALE will only be available through the website but will soon be downloadable from iTunes, amazon and other outlets. In the New Year, all of Season One will be presented in a deluxe CD package featuring artwork by Rue Morgue artist Gary Pullin.
To download ‘THE DEMON HUNTSMAN’ visit ‘Tales From Beyond the Pale‘ – Available NOW!