Ken Russell’s “Lair of the White Worm”is a delightfully perverse film that successfully combines humor with horror. Russell has built his whole reputation by walking a thin line between high art and crass sensationalism. Like his other films (including “The Devils”,”Altered States”, and “Tommy”), “Lair of the White Worm” is alternately repulsive and hilarious.

Ken Russell took the title and basic plot from a novel by Bram Stoker (the author of Dracula). Russell updated the story from 1910 to the present day. Perhaps the most significant change is the tone of the story. The book was basically somber while the movie is campy and self-parodying. This change was definitely a wise move considering how ridiculous the plot is.

The cast is adequate but unextrordinary. The film features Catherine Oxenberg (of Dallas) and Sammi Davis (“Hope and Glory”) as two sisters. Their suitors are played by Peter Capaldi (“Local Hero”) and Hugh Grant (“Maurice”). Amanda Donahue (as Lady Sylvia) should be commended for playing her role with a straight face.

The fun starts when a Scottish science student discovers a sinister reptilian skull. The skull is stolen by a mysterious noblewoman named Lady Sylvia Marsh. Lady Sylvia turns out to be the high priestess of a pagan snake cult. Her dastardly plan is to sacrifice a virginal young woman to a giant serpent. We are told that the serpent was the same one that was chased out of Eden, but it looks suspiciously like an oversized muppet.

The film also contains a substantial amount of Freudian imagery. The camera constantly lingers on such objects as a womb-like cave, a phallic hose and pickled earthworms.

There are many hysterical puns and double entendres in the film. When Lady Marsh is asked if she has children, she replies, “Only when there are no men around.” She offers a guest a drink by saying, “Name your poison.” When one of the townspeople admires her car, she says, “I change cars as often as a snake sheds it’s skin.”

There are many other moments that provide unexpected laughs. At one point, the Scottish student entrances a snake man by playing a snake charming tune on his bagpipes. The film satir- izes “Citizen Kane” when Lady Marsh says “Rosebud” while throw- ing some pieces of wood into the fireplace. Lady Marsh looks preposterous when she calls to her intended victim (Eve) while slithering around a tree.

“Lair of the White Worm” is definitely not for sensitive viewers. It contains some gratuitous violence and several grotesque dream sequences. The film should satisfy fans of the macabre or anyone with a truly warped sense of humor.