Inspired by true events, John Christopher’s The Axe Forgets follows James S. Jameson, heir to the Jameson Whiskey dynasty, as he returns to his family estate in Ireland in 1888 after a year-long expedition in the Congo. Like the Irish weather, the mood is cold and tense from the moment he steps out of the carriage. His carriage is greeted only by his wife and quiet daughter, and once they step away, Jameson emerges.
Inside his lifeless mansion, James retreats to his study to review his notebook, which triggers disturbing memories. That night, nightmares haunt him — visions of men dragged by rope, others hanging from a tree, reminders of what he witnessed in Africa. But was Jameson disgusted or intrigued?
“Nightmares haunt him — visions of men dragged by rope, others hanging from a tree, reminders of what he witnessed in Africa.”
At dinner, the strain between James and his wife is painfully clear. She remains cold and distant, while he appears haunted, staring too long at a knife and then at their young daughter. Later that night, as he checks in on his daughter sleeping, he recalls a little girl from the Congo, blurring past and present in his mind.
He asks his wife if she has read the letters he sent, but she responds by telling him that he’s sick. The next morning, she leaves him and the mansion with their daughter. Left behind, James discovers a cryptic note—“The Tree Remembers.”
The Axe Forgets tells an ominous tale of a wealthy explorer becoming obsessed with what he found in Africa: cannibals. Writer/director John Christopher does masterful work indulging in the theme of obsession as we follow Jameson down a steady decline into insanity. There is very little dialogue, and it all comes out in Harry Butler’s performance as James. This short film is all about its dark and creepy tone, and John Christopher nails it perfectly.
For screening information, visit The Axe Forgets official webpage.
"…Christopher does masterful work indulging in the theme of obsession..."
