Where to watch Cast a Deadly Spell online

Storyline

In a fantastical 1940s where magic is used by everyone, a hard-boiled detective investigates the theft of a mystical tome.

Released

1991-09-07
Revenue

n/a
Budget

$6,000,000
Runtime

1hr 36m
Genre

TV Movie, Mystery, Comedy, Horror, Fantasy
Status

Released
Language

English
6.4
Production

Pacific Western, HBO Films, HBO

Crew

Martin Campbell

Director

Joseph Dougherty

Writer

Gale Anne Hurd

Producer

Keywords:

gangster gremlin private detective

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Videos and Photos

Movie Reviews

Reviews for Cast a Deadly Spell

A Review by FarSky

Written by FarSky on 2013-07-21

The year: 1948. Magic is everywhere, the hallmark of progress. Hardboiled gumshoe Philip Lovecraft is a PI for hire, but his latest case, a ... read more

The year: 1948. Magic is everywhere, the hallmark of progress. Hardboiled gumshoe Philip Lovecraft is a PI for hire, but his latest case, a search for a missing book called “The Necronomicon,” leads him down darker alleys than he’s ever traversed before, filled with black magic and hideous creatures intent on doing him harm. Charged with protecting a virtuous dame, finding a magical tome, and unravelling a murderous mystery, Lovecraft will have only his wits, his fists, and a trusty pistol to come out alive. And in this world, coming out undead is a distinct possibility… Supernoirtural would be the perfect word for this film. Cast a Deadly Spell is a fascinating anomaly, a rare treat and a helluva fun ride. It was made for HBO in 1991, directed by Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Casino Royale, The Mask of Zorro) and starring Fred Ward (as Lovecraft), Clancy Brown, David Warner, and Julianne Moore as Lovecraft’s ex-lover and current gun moll, Connie Stone. And since it’s inexplicably never been released on DVD, it’s never seen the audience that it deserves. This is a pitch-perfect blend of film noir, droll comedy, and Lovecraftian horror. The script (by Joseph Dougherty) is smart, funny without being silly, and filled with perfectly-placed nods to H.P. Lovecraft’s oeuvre. Fred Ward is fantastic as the gruff, acerbic detective, turning in one of the best modern-day performances of a noir PI. He has great fun with the über-noir dialogue. Case in point: > Hackshaw: You don’t believe in magic? > Lovecraft: I believe it, just don’t use it. > Hackshaw: Why? > Lovecraft: Personal reasons. > Hackshaw: And they are? > Lovecraft: Personal. or > Olivia: That’s quite a tie. > Lovecraft: Oh, thanks. > Olivia: Did it put up much of a fight? > Lovecraft: No, I snuck up behind it. Clancy Brown makes a magnificent gangster heavy, Julianne Moore would fit perfectly alongside Barbara Stanwyck as a classic noir dame, and David Warner is in prime form. Director Campbell fully embraces the tale’s pulpy roots and directs with the most stylish flair I’ve seen out of him; it’s almost as though he filmed it in the style of the old Roger Corman shlock films, with exaggerated shots and colors cranked up to 11. The performances ground the film and the direction gives it more class than its origins as a cheap made-for-cable movie should warrant. It’s a heady, exuberant pairing. With the talent both behind and in front of the camera for this made-for-TV flick, it’s incredible that it’s never seen a DVD release. It managed an ugly VHS transfer (and, thanks to the internet, a rather cruddy but serviceable copy can be downloaded) but it’s high time for HBO to release this gem on home video. Two-fisted, brawny action, horror-tinged, a tad campy (in all the right ways)…this is a magnificently fun film that needs to seen. Highest recommendation.

A Review by GenerationofSwine 10

Written by GenerationofSwine on 2023-01-11

I guess the sequel to this is Witch Hunt, which I loved, and saw BEFORE Cast a Deadly Spell. It doesn't much matter only instead of the g... read more

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)

A Review by Matt Golden

A Review by FarSky

Written by FarSky on 2013-07-21

A Review by GenerationofSwine 10

Written by GenerationofSwine on 2023-01-11

I guess the sequel to this is Witch Hunt, which I loved, and saw BEFORE Cast a Deadly Spell. It doesn't much matter only instead of the guy Dennis Hopper, you got Fred Ward, who is probably known t...