Stephen Romano’s RETRO 13 – H.P. Lovecraft’s From Beyond
Stephen Romano
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Again, we ask the loaded question: What can be said about an immortal classic that has not already been uttered a million billion times? Well, when it comes to Stuart Gordon’s beloved 1987 slime fest From Beyond, the answer is simple: Lots, man.
This was a slick piece of work released at the height of Charles Band’s much-celebrated Empire Pictures. It was a more expensive proposition than other Empire offerings, but the more expensive ones were generally the cream of the crop. (See also: Renny Harlin’s Prison and Ted Nicolaou’s Terrorvision.) When From Beyond was finished, it ran the gamut of release hassles, mostly due to problems with the ratings board, who insisted that many gory moments be excised from the final cut. Even the film’s original poster (pictured at left) was deemed “too scary” by the MPAA, and a much “tamer” version (pictured at right) was invented to fill the gap. Neither is particularly representative of Gordon’s remarkable film, in this humble illustrator’s opinion.
Censored U.S. Poster (L); Final U.S. Poster (R)
In fact, it can probably be safely said that From Beyond has never been properly treated by any of the key art invented for its many foreign or video releases. Some treatments have either been too way-out and/or spoilery, as in the ones pictured here, or the more recent DVD versions, which are all fine art to be sure, but I’m not sure they truly evoke the film.
For RETRO 13, I tried to take on the challenge of creating the truly definitive poster. This was much more difficult that it might sound. From Beyond is a weird film—a goofy film even. It is steeped in a raw and passionate allegiance to the most lurid B-movie traditions of mad scientists who throw a lever just to see what the fuck happens.
But there is also a very real undercurrent of obsession and desire, giving the whole thing a bizarre anything-goes bent, driving its predictions straight into the deep end, where the whole film finally and gleefully plunges under a billion gallons of extra-dimensional alien slime in the third act. There was no other decade quite like the 1980s when it came to monster films. They just do not make ‘em like this anymore. Period.
I worked on this poster in fits and starts for over a year, trying to get the scary little bastard to come out right. It is filled with details—some quite subtle, others totally in-your-face. (Like the movie.) The final touches were added just two days ago. I hope it works. You’ll notice if you look at the minutiae in the credit block that this poster also happens to exist in an alternate historical timeline, where the film was released theatrically, uncut and unrated, as it should have been. And, if for some reason, you have still not seen this film—what the fuck is WRONG with you? BUY THE BLU-RAY NOW! (It’s the restored Director’s Cut, too!)
Stuart Gordon’s From Beyond is, quite simply, in a class by itself. Respect the slime.
Click here for the full-size image.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This poster is intended as FAN ART only and is designed to be shared, for free, for anyone who wants to own it for themselves. Download it, share it, spread the horror! And come see me at my website for more fun.
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