

Movie spotlight
A Story to Tell: Clive Barker's The Forbidden
Writer Douglas E. Winter on Clive Barker's seminal Books of Blood and Candyman's source story, The Forbidden.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary delves into the troubled production history of Clive Barker's adaptation of his own novella, 'The Forbidden,' which was intended to become the film 'Candyman.' It explores the creative differences, studio interference, and ultimately, the reasons why Barker's original vision for the story never materialized as he envisioned.
Critical Reception
As a documentary exploring a behind-the-scenes aspect of a beloved horror franchise, 'A Story to Tell: Clive Barker's The Forbidden' has been generally well-received by fans and critics interested in the filmmaking process and the lore of 'Candyman.' It is praised for its thorough research and the insights it provides into the challenges of adapting literary horror to the screen.
What Reviewers Say
Offers fascinating insights into the development of a horror classic.
Appreciated for its deep dive into the creative struggles and eventual compromises.
A must-watch for fans of Clive Barker and the 'Candyman' films.
Google audience: Google user reviews are not widely aggregated for this specific documentary, but general sentiment from genre enthusiasts suggests appreciation for its behind-the-scenes look at a significant horror property.
Fun Fact
The documentary reveals that Clive Barker initially envisioned 'The Forbidden' as a gritty, urban horror film set in Liverpool, a stark contrast to the eventual Chicago setting of 'Candyman.'
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources