In a Hellraiser appreciation thread, someone mentioned that Clive was pretty peeved that they ruined his story Cabal in the movie adaptation of Nightbreed. Although a low budget film, I still rather enjoyed the latter, so I was wondering if anyone who’s read the book and seen the movie can spoil me a bit and give me some of the big differences. I’m sure I’ll get around to reading the book eventually, but I’m already spoiled on the story, and I’ve got too many books on my plate right now, so I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.
That’s funny, I saw the movie when it came out, not long after I read the story/novella/whatever, and had thought at the time it stuck pretty close to the source material.
It’s been a while though, so maybe I’m misremembering.
Yeah, it’s been a while for me too, but I don’t remember any big differences.
Oh…well then, apparently I missunderstood what was said. Still, from watching the movie several times, I’m still a little unclear on exactly what was so special about Boone? I got that he was essentially the walking dead/immortal, but what was with all the little lights floating around and the funny facial markings?
From what I gathered in the Hellraiser thread Clive wasn’t pissed at the story he was pissed at the editing the studio did to the movie.
I should probably clarify
I was the poster who mentioned it
and
My source on this is Clive Barker. Nightbreed, Hellraiser, and The Lord Of Illusions were shown at Philly Gay Film Festival a few years back and Barker gave speeches before the films, and answered questions afterward.
It wasn’t the changes made to the story. It was the loss of creative control and the horrible marketing.
Nightbreed is (in case any folks reading this haven’t seen it) an adult fairytale. A misfit finally finds acceptance in a place where the monsters of human legend dwell. A representative ad campaign would have included such lines as “To be smoke or a wolf, to know the night and live in it forever, that’s not so bad is it?” and “You hate us. But, when you dream it’s of flying and changing and living without death.”
Instead we got ‘Monsters are real. And they kill. Lorie would run to her boyfriend for help. But he’s become one of the Nightbreed.’
The studio still refuses to let Barker release a director’s cut or to let him have any of the footage they made him cut (Though you can see some of it during the opening credits).
Personally, I thought it was a bad idea to make Cabal into a movie in the first place, because it seemed like it was more of an introduction to a series that never happened than anything else.
That said, the movie and the story don’t differ much more widely than any other horror adaptation. It’s mainly that your imagination paints a much more interesting picture of the creatures than the film manages to create.
The only Clive Barker book I’ve ever read was Weaveworld. I’ve only seen one of the Hellraiser films, but can’t remember which one it was. (It wasn’t the first, and I don’t think it was the second.) The first two Candyman films were great. (Tony Todd is excellent.) I haven’t seen the third. I’ve seen Lord of Illusions, which I recall enjoying, but don’t remember much about specifically.
On the subject of Nightbreed, like I said, I’ve never read the source material. However, I loved the film, which I consider less a horror film than a social commentary about prejudice. 
If I liked Weaveworld (I’ve read it twice), what other Barker novels would I enjoy? Since I liked the Nightbreed film, would I enjoy Cabal?
As for the movie adaptions of Barker’s work, I think they’d require a certain type of director to truly be successful (critically or financially). Despite my great love of film, I’m really not that familiar with many directors past and present. But, based on the directors I am familiar with, I’d be interested in seeing what someone like Tim Burton or Terry Gilliam could do with Barker’s work.
Anyhoo…
I didn’t think Nightbreed was a bad movie, and it stuck pretty close to the plot of Cabal. Wonder what a Barker Cut would look like?
Yes, you should.
I’d say, if you liked Weaveworld, you’ll like Imagica - it’s more of the same style, less … horrific? compared to Nightbreed/Hellraiser.
Also, The Great and Secret Show / Everville are great!
Imagica is one of my favorite books of all time. In fact, now that it’s mentioned, I might find myself re-reading it once I finish my current book.
Liked Weaveworld. Hated Imajica.
The Great and Secret Show rocked. Everville was a complete waste of time.
The more Barker went into fantasy romance the less I liked his stuff. Like Everville kills off characters from the first book for no reason and spends countless words blabbering on about a man and woman trying to find each other who are in love and have absolutely fricking nothing to do with the plot, not to mention the fantasy world went from bizarre and mysterious in TG&SS to something more standard cartoony romance fantasy land. It’s kind of like what would happen in Harlequin Romance started doing sequels to Stephen King novels.