Review of I Walked with a Zombie (1943) by Sarah W — 09 Jun 2007
Legendary RKO producer Val Lewton was responsible for this exceptionally atmospheric horror film that's not too far a cry from "Jane Eyre" set in Haiti. There are no flesh-eating, brain-craving, shambling shells of the dead, but the true incarnation of zombies from the Voodoo tradition; undead slaves controlled by shamans and magicians.
Lewton's films all relied upon the Lovecraftian "fear of the unknown," relying on understated effects and ambiguity rather than outright scares and boogeyman, and all of Lewton's films are superior for precisely that reason.
Take note, too, that this film was directed by Jacques Tourneur, a frequent collaborator of Lewton's, who frequently directed stylish films influenced by German Expressionism and Film Noir, including the wonderful "Night/Curse of the Demon" and the equally stupendous "Cat People.
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This review of I Walked with a Zombie (1943) was written by Sarah W on 09 Jun 2007.
I Walked with a Zombie has generally received positive reviews.
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