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table of contents ©Henry Otto Productions, 1924 Since there has been film, there has been an overwhelming cultural demand for the horror genre. The first recorded picture film dates back to England 1888. 8 years later the first short horror movie was produced in France, Le Manoir du Diable (NYFA). At this time most films were between 30 seconds and 10 minutes until in 1924 the first full length American horror film was produced at an unprecedented 60 minutes- Dante’s Inferno. While the film had an impact on patrons who watched the movie, advertisements like the one shown here were put up around theaters and had an impact on those who didn’t watch the movie but saw the poster. This kind of imagery was shocking in the 1920’s and brought the story to a new audience who may have been unfamiliar with the divine comedy. Dante Alighieri’s divine comedy has provided a structure to describe a hero’s journey evolving from fear and survival to redemption and righteousness. Inferno has inspired many of the physical characteristics of Hell seen in movies like Constatine (2005), Drag me to Hell (2009). The structure of sin and eternal punishment in Inferno and the structure of sin and atonement in Purgatory has been used as reference in As Above, So Below (2014), The Shining (1980) and countless others. Reflections of the divine comedy are represented across decades of Horror subgenres aimed at impacting audiences and forcing them to confront their personal fears and the concerns of society in general. Monster movies become mainstream around the time travel becomes accessible and society considers the ramifications of being somewhere you’re not welcome. Serial killer movies and slasher movies come at a time America is grappling with the Tate-LaBianca murders and to what extent a person can be evil. Regardless of the story or plot, most movies at their core rely on the audience’s fear of death and their belief in the afterlife. Themes of retribution, eternal damnation or atonement are central to the impact of the viewer, themes we see in the divine comedy. In some instances filmmakers and actors directly cite Alighieri’s work as inspiration as Jack Nicholson did while he prepared for The Shining (bose). In other instances I spit on your grave (1978) has no direct reference to Inferno but has a clear theme of punishment specific to sin. In an interview with MGU director Meir Zarchi cites the movie Curse of the Demons (1957) as partial inspiration, a movie based loosely on Inferno‘s hierarchy system in Hell. Dante’s influence on American horror films impacts all genres and subgenres through decades. If a film is not directly inspired by the divine comedy, then it’s likely inspired by a work Dante impacted. Dante’s message is clear- everyone must acknowledge their sins, beg for forgiveness and wait for their eternal punishment or the steps to their atonement. What makes a more compelling horror film than that?
