Unknown Untold:  Wes Craven’s The Fallen

May 19, 2017 UntoldHorror 0

In our ongoing research into Untold Horror, we have uncovered a variety of projects which for better or worse went unrealized.  Many of them only exist in pitch material artwork if nothing else.   This ongoing series, entitled “Unknown Untold”, will shine a light on artwork for movies that never existed beyond what is seen on the page. If you have any further knowledge of any of the images posted, please let us know – Email mark@untoldhorror.ca with any details you may have about these projects! One of my personal favourite aspects of digging into the world of Untold Horror, is taking a look at the many “what ifs” that come up when dealing with films that fell into the depths of Development Hell. What would have happened if so and so directed a certain project at some point, meaning a non-existent film would now exist.  It would also likely mean an entirely different chain of events would follow…  The mind races with possibilities.  This is one such project. From the pages of the May 12, 1982 issue of Variety comes today’s “Unknown Untold”. “An Unusual Drama of one man’s saga into primitive terror, love and all-out war with the fallen forces of evil for a treasure that will destroy all.”  – So reads the tagline for this mysterious film. Beyond this, we also have comparisons to Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Exorcist, The Omen, and, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  With promises of “Relentless action”, “Suspenseful Terror” and “Astonishing Special Effects”, one can only imagine the type of spectacle scripted. Finally, and in larger font than anything else, the project was promised to be “Set in Three Continents” and a “Star-Studded Cast”. This clearly had the vision of being a large picture and production.  Much larger than anything that […]

Unknown Untold: “Amityville Vertigo”

March 14, 2017 UntoldHorror 0

In our ongoing research into Untold Horror, we have uncovered a variety of projects which for better or worse went unrealized.  Many of them only exist in pitch material artwork if nothing else.   This ongoing series, entitled “Unknown Untold”, will shine a light on artwork for movies that never existed beyond what is seen on the page. If you have any further knowledge of any of the images posted, please let us know! In 1977 Jay Anson’s novel “The Amityville Horror” sparked a supernatural cultural phenomenon surrounding the alleged otherworldly events which centered around the Lutz family, and their Long Island, NY home. In 1979, an even wider audience was introduced to the terrifying “true story” as MGM released their film adaptation.  Grossing over $85 million dollars domestically, the film was a hit, and invariably lead to sequels (and rip offs).  By the summer of 1982, production was wrapped on an official sequel. However prior to the official sequel, if this advertisement from a fall 1981 Variety magazine is to be believed, there seemed to be an attempt at a European rip-off / sequel, “Amityville Vertigo”. There isn’t much that has turned up when digging into the production companies listed.  There are neither credited talents nor stars attached.   So take a look at this poster, and judge for yourself…   Was there anything beyond this artwork?  Or, was it just as real as the alleged haunting itself?