Review of West of Zanzibar (1928) by Eric B — 01 May 2012
A remarkably dark, twisted movie, even by contemporary standards. And of course, it has a fantastic performance by Lon Chaney, playing a maniacal, vengeful Colonel Kurtz type who has paralyzed legs and laboriously drags himself around on his arms.
"West of Zanzibar" is not as well-known as other Tod Browning films like "Dracula" and "Freaks," but it's just as powerful. I feel it desperately needed a flashier title -- "West of Zanzibar" suggests some dull National Geographic travelogue, not this sick, gripping melodrama.
One warning: In a movie about African natives made in the 1920s, embarrassing racist stereotypes are a given.
This review of West of Zanzibar (1928) was written by Eric B on 01 May 2012.
West of Zanzibar has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
