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| Carnival of Souls |
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  (9/10)
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Runtime: 83 |
| Public Rating: 9.50 (8 votes) |
Director: Herk Harvey |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Horror |
Year: 1962 |
| Writer(s): John Clifford |
| Distributor: 1 |
| Reviewed by: Ian Barr |
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One of my favorite horror films of all time, and certainly among the all-time most influential films is this classic supernatural flick, a brilliant and hypnotically creepy low-budget film from one-time director Herk Harvey. It plays like an extended episode of The Twilight Zone. The plot involves Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss), a woman who survives a fatal car accident in which 2 of her friends die. She then applies for the job of an organ player at her local church. The rest consists of her being followed by a strange, zombie-like man (Played by director Harvey). Well, the plot goes something like that, but it isn't the plot that fuels this flick. It works beautifully as a collection of scenes, most of which are brimming with invention and originality, such as a frightening scene in which our main character is driving on a highway at night, and her radio only picks up organ music.
Like most good horror movies, this film contains a collection of neat photography and trick shots, the best shot of the whole film is an overhead shot of Mary playing her organ in a church. The performance, by Candace Hilligoss (one of her only two performances ever) is quite compelling for this type of film. There is also a twist ending that has been copied since the film was released.
Overall, this is an extremely impressive film from a director who showed a great talent with this genre. Unfortunately, and rather creepily, he only only directed this one film. It's a shame, because this is the best kind of horror film, a film that lets you think, while still letting you be scared witless. A true classic of the genre.
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