Search - Death Of Poe (2-DVD + Bonus CD) on DVD

Edgar Allan documentary is kinda Poe

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 08/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The extras provided on THE DEATH OF POE (from ALPHA NEW CINEMA) outshine this 2006 "concept" documentary.

On disc #1, Mark Redfield (an excellent EAP lookalike) doesn't so much explore events surrounding the famous author's demise as attempt to represent visually the dementia and any thoughts that may have been going through his mind during those last days. It's a daring concept that grabs the viewer's attention at first, but ultimately this contrivance and some major assumptions simply don't hold up well.

Disc #2 fares better. D.W. Griffith's "The Avenging Conscious" and "The Raven" were both created over 90 years ago. Each has something to recommend it. "Avenging Conscience" is based on the poem "Annabel Lee." "The Raven" includes an optional commentary track. An added feature is the audio disc of Poe writings, as delivered by the creator of "The Death of Poe."

For a more traditional documentary on EAP, try THE MYSTERY OF EDGAR ALLAN POE, from A&E's Biography series.


Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.

DISC ONE--
Redfield Arts Previews
Making of "The Death of Poe"
(5.7) The Death of Poe (2006) - Mark Redfield/Kevin G. Sherrick/Jennifer Rouse/Tony Tsendeas/Kimberly Hannold

DISC TWO--
Edgar Allan Poe's Baltimore
The Haunting of the Poe House
(6.7) The Raven (silent-1915) - Henry B. Walthill/Warda Howard/Ernest Maupain/Eleanor Thompson/Marian Skinner
(6.8) The Avenging Conscience: Or 'Thou Shalt Not Kill' (silent-1914) - Henry B. Walthall/Spottiswoode Aitken/Blanche Sweet/George Siegmann/Mae Marsh

DISC THREE - BONUS CD--
Mark Redfield reads: "Annabel Lee," "The Cask of Amontillado," "The City in the Sea," "The Conqueror Worm," "Danse Macabre," "The Haunted Palace," "Hop Frog," "The Raven," and "The Tell-Tale Heart.""

First Real Screen Image of Poe

History Man | Potomac, Maryland USA | 01/30/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fascinating dramatization of Edgar Allan Poe's final days in Baltimore, which culminated in his mysterious, possibly violent death. No one knows what actually killed Poe and, although he lingered in hospital for several days, he was never able to tell what had happened to him. Mark Redfield gives the first realistic, flesh and blood filmed interpretation of Poe and it is a mesmerizing performance. The film itself, also directed by Redfield, is very cleverly written and edited, mixing the mostly black and white footage with key flashbacks in color. Redfield is well-supported by Kevin G. Shinnick, Tony Tsendeas and Jennifer Rouse (who also composed the film's musical score).

This is another example of low-budget, independently-produced films by talented artists that deliver thoughtful and entertaining material.

We may never know what killed Poe, but this film offers a compelling look at what his final, unhappy days may have been like."