The movie
Show notes
Lair of the White Worm (1988) is picked by Dave this week, and it’s one of those wonderfully unhinged British horror films that could only have come out of the’80s. Written and directed by Ken Russell, the movie was loosely based on Bram Stoker’s 1911 novel of the same name - though in true Russell fashion, it quickly veered far from the source material and into surreal, erotic, and darkly comic territory. Produced by Vestron Pictures, the same studio behind Dirty Dancing and Return of the Living Dead, the film was made on a modest budget of around $2 million. Despite its low cost, Russell filled it with his signature visual flamboyance, blending Gothic horror, mythological imagery, and satirical British eccentricity into something uniquely chaotic. Filming took place in Derbyshire, England, using local countryside locations to give the film its haunting yet distinctly English atmosphere. The cast included a mix of rising and established talent - notably a young Hugh Grant, years before his rom-com fame, and Peter Capaldi, long before becoming Doctor Who. The movie was shot in just six weeks, with Russell working fast and loose, improvising many of the more bizarre scenes on set. Upon release, it divided critics: some praised its camp energy and gleeful weirdness, while others dismissed it as absurd. Over the years, though, Lair of the White Worm has achieved cult status - celebrated for its blend of folk horror, sensuality, and sheer outrageousness that only Ken Russell could deliver. If you enjoy the show, we have a Patreon, so become a supporter here . Referral links also help out the show if you were going to sign up: NordVPN NordPass Trailer Guy Plot Summary In the quiet English countryside, something ancient… something hungry… has awakened. When a strange discovery uncovers a dark legend, a group of unsuspecting locals is pulled into a world of hypnotic seduction, slithering evil, and serpentine terror. As ancient forces rise and modern r
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