I Walked with a Zombie (1943)

I Walked with a Zombie
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
1943/USA
RKO Radio Pictures
First viewing
#161 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
IMDb users say 7.2/10; I say 7.5/10

[box] Paul Holland: Everything good dies here. Even the stars.[/box]

This superbly shot and lit psychological horror film from the Val Lewton shop at RKO falters in the story department.

Sugar mill owner Paul Holland (Tom Conway) hires a young Canadian nurse (Frances Dee) to care for his catatonic wife on a Caribbean island.  Paul’s half-brother Wesley believes that Paul caused the wife’s illness when he prevented Wesley and her from running away together.  But voodoo culture pervades the island….  Could Jessica be a zombie?

This film is absolutely beautiful.  There is something to savor in almost every frame.  I especially like the way many of the scenes feature light streaming through blinds, leaves, or ironwork creating a kind of dappled effect.  The one islander zombie in the film, played by Darby Jones, adds an element of horror merely by standing and staring.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t get emotionally invested in the love triangle between the brothers and the wife nor in the budding relationship between Paul and the nurse.  I’m glad I saw the film but I doubt I will watch it again.

The only film I’ve seen Francis Dee in before is the 1933 Little Women.  It was hard for me to believe either her terror or her yearning.  She seems really grounded for a fantasy film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiY8EbynbXE

Trailer