Doctor Mordrid
Encyclopedia
Doctor Mordrid is a 1992
American film starring Jeffrey Combs
. It was produced by Charles Band and co-directed by Band and his father, Albert Band
. It was written by C. Courtney Joyner and released by Full Moon Features
.
The younger Band held an option
for an adaptation of the Marvel Comics
character Doctor Strange
, but the option expired before production could begin. Instead of scrapping the project, the script was rewritten to include original characters not directly adapted from the comics property, with the character originally to be called Dr. Mortalis with some early concept art done by an uncredited Jack Kirby
.
), an evil wizard who grew up with Mordrid, from opening the gate to Hell
and unleashing demons upon the Earth
. He assumes the role of a Criminal Psychologist, and doubles as the mysterious landlord to Samantha Hunt, a research consultant to the police. Kabal (also known as 'The Death's Head') needs the Philosopher's Stone
along with several alchemical elements in order to complete the spell needed to open the gate. Mordrid has spent 150 years waiting for these events to take place. This would mark the beginning of the epic battle between himself and Kabal. The alchemical elements, when mixed within the Philosopher's Stone
, will allow Kabal to unleash his minions from the Fourth Dimension upon the Earth
. Once he sees the thefts in the news, Dr. Mordrid begins to track down his prey. Samantha begins to persistently push herself into Mordrid's secretive life. The battle for Earth spills over into the Magic Dimension where the gate has been closely guarded by other good wizards. They have proven to be no match for the Kabal, and they are all killed save one. This one magician confirms Kabal's plans for Mordrid, who returns to Earth
to prepare his defenses. When Mordrid is arrested for murder, Samantha does what she can to attempt to help prove his innocence. He then tells her of his true nature and his mission, and she agrees to help him escape. In the final showdown, Kabal and Mordrid do battle within the Cosmopolitan Museum. Using his wits and his magical power, Mordrid narrowly manages to kill Kabal and barely prevents the demons from being released upon humanity and destroying reality as we know it. His mission accomplished, Mordrid is called by The Monitor to cross over once again into the Magic Dimension and leave the Earth
behind.
1992 in film
The year 1992 in film involved many significant films. -Top grossing films:-Awards:Academy AwardsGolden Globe AwardsNational Film Awards...
American film starring Jeffrey Combs
Jeffrey Combs
Jeffrey Alan Combs is an American actor known for his horror film roles and his appearances playing a number of characters in the Star Trek franchise.-Early life:...
. It was produced by Charles Band and co-directed by Band and his father, Albert Band
Albert Band
Albert Band born Alfredo Antonini , was an American film director and film producer. He was the son of artist Max Band, father of filmmaker Charles Band and of film composer Richard Band. He is the grandfather of Alex Band and Taryn Band.-Biography:Band escaped from Paris to the United States with...
. It was written by C. Courtney Joyner and released by Full Moon Features
Full Moon Features
Full Moon Features is a motion picture production and distribution company headed by B-movie veteran Charles Band. It is known for the direct-to-video series Puppet Master and Subspecies, as well as the innovative VideoZone featurette at the end of films through 1989 to 2000.-Full Moon...
.
The younger Band held an option
Option (films)
In the film industry, an option is a contractual agreement between a potential film producer, such as a movie studio, a production company or an individual, and a writer or third party who holds ownership of a screenplay...
for an adaptation of the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange
Doctor Stephen Strange is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in Strange Tales #110 ....
, but the option expired before production could begin. Instead of scrapping the project, the script was rewritten to include original characters not directly adapted from the comics property, with the character originally to be called Dr. Mortalis with some early concept art done by an uncredited Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
.
Plot
Combs plays a wizard named Anton Mordrid who is sent to Earth by a being called The Monitor to stop Kabal (Brian ThompsonBrian Thompson (actor)
Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
), an evil wizard who grew up with Mordrid, from opening the gate to Hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
and unleashing demons upon the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. He assumes the role of a Criminal Psychologist, and doubles as the mysterious landlord to Samantha Hunt, a research consultant to the police. Kabal (also known as 'The Death's Head') needs the Philosopher's Stone
Philosopher's stone
The philosopher's stone is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals into gold or silver. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal...
along with several alchemical elements in order to complete the spell needed to open the gate. Mordrid has spent 150 years waiting for these events to take place. This would mark the beginning of the epic battle between himself and Kabal. The alchemical elements, when mixed within the Philosopher's Stone
Philosopher's stone
The philosopher's stone is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals into gold or silver. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal...
, will allow Kabal to unleash his minions from the Fourth Dimension upon the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. Once he sees the thefts in the news, Dr. Mordrid begins to track down his prey. Samantha begins to persistently push herself into Mordrid's secretive life. The battle for Earth spills over into the Magic Dimension where the gate has been closely guarded by other good wizards. They have proven to be no match for the Kabal, and they are all killed save one. This one magician confirms Kabal's plans for Mordrid, who returns to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
to prepare his defenses. When Mordrid is arrested for murder, Samantha does what she can to attempt to help prove his innocence. He then tells her of his true nature and his mission, and she agrees to help him escape. In the final showdown, Kabal and Mordrid do battle within the Cosmopolitan Museum. Using his wits and his magical power, Mordrid narrowly manages to kill Kabal and barely prevents the demons from being released upon humanity and destroying reality as we know it. His mission accomplished, Mordrid is called by The Monitor to cross over once again into the Magic Dimension and leave the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
behind.