limsgirl Review of I Walked with a Zombie

I Walked with a Zombie (1943)

ignore lurid title, serious suspense with lyric touch awaits

[25 August 2001]

The team of Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur were responsible for some of the finest, most unusual suspense films, and this ranks among them. Though some of the romantic aspects of the plot are cumbersome, the film is worth watching on the strengths of cinematography and general mood alone. In particular, the scenes of Betsy's nighttime sojourn with Jessica into the fields in order to find the voodoo ceremony has to rank as one of the most nervewracking on film. The appearance of Carrefour is more frightening since it is shrouded not in screams, but in the quiet of rustling cane. The performance of Sir Anthony is a definite highpoint as well. This film is somewhat difficult to come by but has been screened several times within the last year on the classic movie channels. Quite an excellent little film for those who like their "horror" films marked by lyricism and mystery rather than graphic detail.