1943
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
I am a huge fan of horror films and I am really excited to get into eras in film when the movies are actually scary.As you can see from the above picture, this movie has mildly creepy moments but it is clearly not Ringu yet. Still, we are moving in the right direction.
This film is like Jane Eyre with creepy voodoo. Of course, all the black people in the movie are involved in primitive magic rituals. Still, at least they were actually characters and talked eloquently which is a step up from A Man in Grey.
This movie is pure fun. It is not really not quality and it doesn't come with a deep message. I have been reading and watching so many intellectual books and movies that I just needed something fun. It is short, light, and exciting.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
The mom was younger than one of the sons she played.
Sorry this post is so short; I am really busy.
Admitting to liking Horror movies is difficult isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou say you like horror movies and most people assume you mean bloodn'gore.
For me, this is what I mean by horror movies.. lots of atmosphere, slow build up.. and preferably in B&W.
I loved the atmosphere and how you were led into a feeling of chill by the meeting on the boat. You get the romantic view firdt, moonlight, the peaceful humming of the crew...and then Tom Conway, equaling his brother in slightly attractive, slightly creepy, breaks the spell of the moonlight and phosphorescence and flying fish and you know there will be chill ahead.
I think the native people and their beliefs are treated with (for the time) quite a good amount of respect. OK, the tall guy zombie (sorry, forgotten his name) has wide open white eyes.. but, hey, come on, that's being a zombie, not being a caricature black guy. The white people are shown to be the outsiders, and, if anything, meddling in something they don't understand.
Ray
I agree with your description of good horror films (although I do like the occasional slasher film). I think a lot of people assume that something from 1943 couldn't possibly scare them but this movie definitely gave me the chills. That's a good point about race relations; I hadn't really thought about that but you are right, the white people definitely came across as ignorant outsiders.
DeleteYes, I thought the respect for the black characters just about stayed on the right side of the line. The moral weakness of the white slaveholders' position was mocked early on by the trap driver in a way that was clear but not patronising to the viewer nor undermining the sympathy we need to feel for Betsy. And there was a clever little jibe between the mother and a black boy pointing out that the voodoo cult is really no different to Christianity.
DeleteYou have to love the cinematography here. The story is give or take but the ambience is awesome. Zombies before Night of the Living Dead.
ReplyDeleteAh, another delight to revisit. I don't think I can add anytnk much to what I said before.
ReplyDeleteYes I definitely liked this more than Night of the Living Dead.
ReplyDeleteActually, and whisper this almost silently, and don't ever tell anyone.. but .. sometimes I prefer this to 'Cat people' I stick by my original comments about the atmosphere, especially the boat scene .. well, and the walk through the fields .. and I adore Sir Lancelot's song and it's context and effect ...
ReplyDeleteOMG I have to tell Andrew. Where's my megaphone?
DeleteCame back last night for yet another re-watch .. it gets better everytime.
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