Every once in a while a DVD is released where the feature film is really only one item among many parts. That's the case here with THE DEATH OF POE. Yes, there is a movie about Poe, but there are also a lot of extras in the 3-disc set. As a whole, this is a DVD that provides information and entertainment strictly for the Poe fans in the audience, and it does it unflinchingly and without apology.

It certainly is nothing new to see historically themed fiction about Edgar Allan Poe. Usually, he's sketched as being a complex individual who is half madman and half genius. There is a great deal of authenticated proof for this line of reasoning, so it's understandable why director Redfield takes the same approach. But here Redfield reveals only the last week of Poe's life, while utilizing flashbacks and narrative to provide the artist's stream of consciousness during this time. Shot on digital but in darkly toned black and white, the movie looks good. Personally, I find the choice to go with black and white a smart one, as it provides a starkly contrastive quality to both the picture and story. Sometimes the color timing is so dark that it's a little difficult to make out exactly what's going on in the scene, but it also adds to the mystery that is Poe. And, trust me, Redfield eats Poe's renowned mysterious quality up. While he paints a dark picture of Poe's existence, he deliberately doesn't make any harsh judgments. As a result, we're left with the dream-like premise that perhaps some of what we're seeing is simply happening in Poe's mind, or maybe, just maybe, all of what we're seeing is really happening. Who knows? Redfield is content to leave the viewers make that decision. In this case, it works.

As if Redfield doesn't have enough on his plate, what with being the director/co-writer/co-producer on the project, he also portrays the literary master. I first noticed Mark Redfield as an actor when he played the lead in the imaginative and underrated DESPISER by Philip J. Cook. I thought Redfield did a stand-up job in that movie and I think he gives an earnest performance here as well. Redfield's Poe is intelligent but muddled in his thoughts, compassionate but brooding, and proud but nearly broken as an artist. On a side note, there are as series of scenes where Poe emotionally but unsuccessfully pitches his ideas regarding a new magazine to prospective but clueless financiers. Each scene is awkwardly and darkly comical, if not downright intriguing. Not only because Redfield's Poe is appropriately disappointed with the financiers, but also because his futile attempts are eerily similar to what present day screenwriters sometimes endure during script pitches to stuffy studio executives. An editorial comment by Redfield, maybe? Anyway, Redfield does make Poe likable, though we also get an understated view of the man's anguish and possible mental illness. I only wish I could compliment the rest of the cast in the movie. Aside from Jennifer Rouse, who plays the wife of the doctor treating Poe, most of the other performances seem forced. Not real, real forced. But none of the other actors appear completely comfortable in their roles, with some delivering their lines obviously by rote. At times the acting appears to be the kind you see in reenactments during A&E investigative telecasts.

As I mentioned earlier, Alpha Home Entertainment is offering a 3-disc set. The first disc contains the movie, selected scenes, previews of other releases, and an informative making-of featurette. Unfortunately, trying to navigate through the menu on this disc isn't easy. More than likely, my copy has some kind of dysfunction, because it stubbornly refuses to do some of the commands. However, the other two discs work just fine. Disc two offers two other featurettes, including a mostly exploitive one called “The Haunting of Poe House.” There are also two films based on Poe's work: THE AVENGING CONSCIENCE (1914) and THE RAVEN (1915). The latter title has an optional commentary. Disc three is actually a CD that presents an audio selection of Poe's poems and tales performed by Redfield.

There is no doubt whatsoever regarding Redfield's fascination and appreciation for Poe. On the other hand, that might be why this DVD can't be recommended to a global genre audience. That said, if you are a staunch Poe fan, then definitely check out Mark Redfield's THE DEATH OF POE.