Review of I Walked with a Zombie (1943) by Danny D — 04 Jan 2011

Val Lewton/Jaques Tourneur + Jane Eyre + Voodoo. This is the second horror film Val Lewton produced for RKO (following CAT PEOPLE). While I'll always be a fan of the classic Universal horror films of this period, Val Lewton's work for RKO is an almost entirely different approach to the genre and is equally deserving of attention and praise.

While maybe not quite as good as the earlier CAT PEOPLE (it really comes down to personal preference), I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE is still one of the best zombie movies to follow the classic voodoo tradition instead of the more recently popular contagious cannibals approach.

As with most Lewton/Tourneur films, the cinematography and use of lighting is impressive, the use of the supernatural is appropriately ambiguous, and there are some pretty good performances - including Tom Conway, who also appeared in Lewton's CAT PEOPLE and THE SEVENTH VICTIM.

I have heard that the makers of the SAW franchise are attempting a remake of this, but I simply don't see how contemporary horror styles could even come close to replicating the atmosphere of this very well-made movie - if you ask me, I say even if the remake happens, check out the original instead.