The Lair of the White Worm (1988)

My husband claims this is one of the worst movies he's ever seen. I think it's mildly entertaining. To each his own, I guess. The film has a talented cast, and the story is interesting, if not a bit silly. It is based on the Bram Stoker novel and the English legend of the Lambton Worm. It's dated and drags a bit at times, but I don't think it's nearly as awful as the Exorcist II.

A Scottish archaeologist, Angus, played by the delightful Peter Capaldi, is excavating a dig site at an English bed and breakfast owned by two sisters, Mary and Eve. When he unearths a big snake skull, he thinks it may be evidence of the d'Ampton worm, which was said to have been slain by the ancestors of Lord James d'Ampton, played by a young Hugh Grant. As they begin to dig deeper and deeper into the myth, they start to realize that it may be less of a myth than they thought. Lady Sylvia, a woman in town, is a high priestess of a snake god and is sustaining the giant snake underground. They must work to prevent any dangers from occurring to the townspeople.

This movie is silly, I mean the idea of Hugh Grant fighting a giant snake (in all it's late 80's glory) is enough to make anyone chuckle. The film does have some tongue in cheek moments, mainly courtesy of Capaldi. At the same time, the effects and storyline can be very unbelievable and silly; I think this movie is fun and entertaining. It isn't overly long, although it can drag at times, which I believe to be mostly just an evolution in storytelling over the years. I think overall the movie does its best and it's different than any other film I've seen before.

I think this film is worth checking out, but if you asked my husband, he would recommend that no one ever watch it. I think its something that you need to decide for yourself. It's a unique film that is a product of the times, with entertaining performances from the cast and a so-silly-it's-entertaining plot. Even if you don't like it, the film is undoubtedly an experience. I'd say give it a chance.

Netflix available: No

Hulu available: No

Xfinity available: Yes

Amazon Prime available: Yes

Rating: 2.75/5