Incident at Loch Ness

Incident at Loch Ness. Mockumentary or documentary? Ok, its a mockumentary but it's so well done that it would easily pass for a documentary. It's about famed documentary director Werner Herzog. He is looking to make a new documentary on the Loch Ness Monster, not really about finding it, but about why it "exists". About it's legend, it's mystery, and it's importance to people and why we debate its existence so much. So it's a documentary about a man making a documentary. His struggles with his crew. His conniving, power hungry producer. And the local townsfolk.



It's very hard for me to lump it into the horror category. I initially checked it out because it was listed under horror, but in the end only the last twenty or so minutes of the film are anything like a horror movie. That said, those last twenty minutes create some nice tense moments, but overall the film definitely falls into more of a mockumentary affair. Now there are a few build up moments that strike a horror tone speckled throughout the movie, but they generally die out quickly and the movie puts on its documentary facade once again.

The movie starts off interviewing Herzog as he prepares for a dinner party celebrating the funding/launch of production for his new documentary, "Enigma of Loch Ness". On the guest list, his producer Zak Penn, Crispin Glover, Jeff Goldblum, and cinematographer Gabriel Beristain. But really, all I need to say was Jeff Goldblum. His dashing good looks, quirky demeanor, sexy voi... err... what was I saying?

They set out onto their expedition but quickly things get fishy (get it) when a couple new crew members are brought in by Zak. A "cryptozoologist" and a sexy, nubile, sonar specialist name Kitana. See, Zak is power hungry. He has spent most of his time in the industry doing the crap work for everyone. He sees this as his chance to make a name for himself. In his mind, this isn't a documentary, it's a movie. He wants to titillate, entertain, and most of all, gain fame. So he sets out behind Herzogs back to make the movie more interesting.

From stupid jump suits, our lovely "sonar specialist", and a fake Nessy, to pushing around all the crew members behind Herzogs back, we all really want Zak to die. Unfortunately he doesn't. Like I said, most of the movie is fairly cut and dry documentary about the toils of film making, mixed in with Zaks antics. Then when Zaks plan has fallen apart, then the horror comes.

It comes in the form of the famed monster. We never fully see it, but we get glimpses of its form rising from the water. At first, just sorta off to the side in our peripheral vision. But soon its ramming the boat. The sonar in the water increasing with intensity as it bears down on the vessel, crew huddled in the hull. These moments are genuinely tense and well done. And I commend the makers for not really showing the monster. Some things are better left a mystery.

In the end, the boat is sun. Our surviving members (cryptozoologist: dead, Scotland guide: dead) in the water with the monster, Herzog swimming to shore for a rescue, and Zak had made off with the life raft. They end up being rescued, but at what cost? They got the movie they wanted, both of them. But with the deaths hanging on their heads, was it all really worth it?

Really the best part comes at the end of the film when you see: Director: Zak Penn. Its the final nail in the coffin that makes the movie that much better. That much more charming. Not much of a horror movie, it dabbles, but its definitely hard to call it a full fledged horror flick. If you like documentaries, wants some laughs, some insight into the film industry, and maybe a scare or two, check it out.

"I truly like your beard, it will be great on film"