Harpy
Harpy
| 01 May 1979 (USA)
Harpy Trailers

An unknowing man rescues a rather aggressive and demanding harpy.

Reviews
framptonhollis

I had never heard of this film until less than a half hour ago and now that I've seen it I cannot believe it had ever escaped my knowledge previously! THIS is what filmmaking is all about! It's damn brilliant, and one of the creepiest films I've ever seen, regardless of length. It's a bit confusing as there is likely a bit more context one would need in order to totally understand the overall point of the film (harpies obviously come from mythology, and it feels like this short contains many references to said mythology and may be a parable of sorts); however, regardless of my knowledge on other matters, "Harpya" was one fun ride! It's highly experimental, utilizing a bizarre technique combining animation and live action to eerie effects...basically the definition of the "uncanny valley". It also seemed to have a surreal sense of black humor that recalls the great Jan Svankmajer, an animation genius who I admire above most other filmmakers, so a recollection of him in favorable response to a film is always a good sign from me!

... View More
Foreverisacastironmess

Okay, so this is a short that I can honestly say is unlike any other I've ever seen, and it's about a man who saves a harpy from death and then soon comes to realise that sometimes no good deed goes unpunished and ends up exactly half the man he used to be... It's visually very interesting and different, being a kind of Gothic mix of live-action and strange jerking animation-like motion that gives it an old fashioned spooky tone and style of the 'fantasmagorie' I thought. The design and makeup of the bird woman is quite nightmarish and creepy at points. Very weird mix of sensual and savage. And the ending where it's revealed that everything that's happened has been some manner of cycle between the harpy and her would be saviours is pretty chilling, especially the evil smile she gives the latest soon-to-be victim. That ending really solidly makes it a horror short for me, and it makes me wonder if perhaps Dario Argento used the idea when he made his excellent Masters of Horror episode "Jenifer". Fantastic scary short with bizarre and eerie use of one of the classic mythological monsters. Caw!

... View More
Stryde22

I must say now that i rarely give any movie as high a rating as I've done here. I saw this short film on Eat Carpet in the middle of the night with a couple of friends and by the time it was finished we were so paranoid that our feet were tucked up on the couch with us. this short is absolutely brilliant. it uses a surreal texture drawn collage background with delayed-frame images in the foreground to create artistic and unsettling atmosphere. the harpy itself looks terrifying, especially when it feeds. the musical score fits brilliantly with the somewhat shocking messiness of the harpy's actions. the absence of words adds to the atmosphere. it is truly creepy there is honestly nothing that i can say is wrong with this film. it is perfect and is one of the only things I've seen that has actually truly creeped me out. i strongly recommend that anybody and everybody views this movie alone in the dark when u already feel insecure and uneasy. it is truly amazing!

... View More
krebstar

a man saves an "interesting" type of bird's life and takes it to his home. but the bird (or bird like human or whatever) slowly starts to ruin the man's freedom to eat or to go outside. all the food is eaten by the so called "bird" and while the man is trying to escape, bird eats his lower part of the body. with the help of a phonograph, he manages to escape from the house but cannot escape from his destiny.this 9 minute masterpiece has used the animation techniques very smartly although it has been done in 1979. the idea was not explained with cliché techniques either. from the film I understood that a man who helps another might dig his own grave by doing this. cause the one whom you have helped may not help you back. besides he/she can even harm you. so I think this short film was arguing whether one should be individualistic or not (with a pessimistic view.a must see for all short film and animation addicts.

... View More