‘Twin Peaks’ co-creator Mark Frost reveals his favourite David Lynch movie: “Pretty powerful”
Twin Peaks was a revolutionary television show, emerging in 1990 to a dedicated fanbase that still stands strong 35 years later. Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, the pair knew they were making something special, and it has since gone on to achieve cult classic status. Now, in a new interview with Far Out, Frost has reflected on their creative partnership and the work of his late collaborator.
Lynch and Frost initially had plans to create a different project before Twin Peaks came about, but as the former got swept up in creating the world of Blue Velvet, the pair didn’t end up working together until they created the iconic television series.
Twin Peaks was Lynch’s first foray into television, although Frost had lots of experience already, having worked on Hill Street Blues beforehand. Until he helmed the series, Lynch had made a name for himself with a collection of surreal films, beginning with Eraserhead, a black-and-white symphony of industrial horrors and parental anxiety.
While he found success with the more commercially accessible The Elephant Man, Lynch’s career hung in the balance when he made Dune, a failure both critically and commercially. Next came 1986’s Blue Velvet, which coincided with Frost’s first meeting with Lynch, whose status in the industry subsequently rose as he found widespread acclaim with the thrilling noir mystery.
- Mark Frost reflects on creating ‘Twin Peaks’ with David Lynch – Read the full interview
- Far Out Magazine announces ‘Twin Peaks’ 35th anniversary retrospective
Talking exclusively to Far Out, Frost recently revealed his favourite movie that Lynch ever directed. “Well, I like him for all different reasons. I’ve always been very fond of Eraserhead, just as a crazy midnight movie that, obviously, was the first movie that most people had seen of David’s. But I think The Elephant Man packed an emotional punch for me. That’s pretty powerful. That movie has stayed with me for a long, long, long time. So that’s my favourite.”
Released in 1980, the film was inspired by the real life of Joseph Merrick, a man with severe bodily deformities who was treated like an animal and an object of fascination by Victorian society. The titular character was played excellently by John Hurt, who gave a moving performance that stands out as one of Lynch’s most emotional.
Frost also believes that the pilot episode of Twin Peaks “is one of the best things he’s ever done,” adding, “The tone is so perfectly calibrated, and every performance is good. He was so good with actors. That’s an underrated part of a director.”
This article is part of Far Out’s 35th anniversary Twin Peaks retrospective, a week-long deep dive beginning on June 9th, delving into the surrealist episodic masterpiece ahead of its streaming debut on MUBI on June 13th.
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