I Walked With A Zombie/The Seventh Victim Criterion 4K UHD Review
A double dose of Val Lewton productions just in time for Halloween.
Criterion is getting in on the spooky season spirit with the 4K/Blu-ray release of the double feature of “I Walked With A Zombie” and “The Seventh Victim.” Both of these classic horror films were released in 1943 and have completely different subject matters, but they also have some similarities as well in being atmospheric and mysterious.
Directed by Jacques Tourneur and written by Curt Siodmak and Ardel Wray, “I Walked With A Zombie” is curiously based on a newspaper article by Inez Wallace and the iconic novel “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontё. The story follows a nurse (Betsy) who travels to San Sebastian to care for the ailing wife (Jessica) of a sugar plantation owner (Paul). Betsy finds herself becoming embroiled in a romantic quandary as she begins to have feelings for Paul while Paul’s half brother Wesley still has feelings for Jessica. Wanting to perform her duties, Betsy is determined to cure Jessica, but discovers that her condition is something beyond what she could have imagined.
Starring Frances Dee (Betsy) and Tom Conway (Paul), “I Walked WIth A Zombie” stands as one of the earliest zombie films. This is very much an eerie tale that explores cultures, superstitions, dark history, and voodoo rituals. The writers intertwine a romantic melodrama which undercuts the more compelling horror aspects of the film (which there really isn’t enough of). It’s certainly not one of Jacques Tourneur’s best films, but the director still showcases his signature style at creating atmospheric and creepy imagery.
Directed by Mark Robson and written by Charles O’Neal and DeWitt Bodeen, “The Seventh Victim” plays more like a secretive mystery but there are undeniable horror elements. Unlike ‘Zombie,’ ‘Victim’ is an odd story, but that’s also part of the appeal. The plot revolves around a boarding school student named Mary who travels to New York to search for her missing sister Jacqueline. As she investigates, she encounters all sorts of strange things including a noose in her room, Jacqueline selling her business, and a secret attorney husband (Gregory) whom Mary develops feelings for. The situation becomes more grim after a private eye winds up dead and Jacqueline herself is linked to the Palladists- a devil worshiping cult. It seems Jacqueline has betrayed the group by confiding in a psychiatrist (Dr. Judd) for mental help and is now being targeted for death.
“The Seventh Victim” is in many ways a proto “Rosemary’s Baby,” but ‘Victim’ goes in different directions here as it explores life and death in psychological ways. The story contains some frankly weird moments such as bible verses being quoted to the satanic cult, the room with a noose, a subplot with Jacqueline’s dying neighbor, and the inclusion of a poet character. ‘Victim’ also changes perspectives by beginning with Mary before essentially changing the POV to the tortured Jacqueline. All of these peculiarities actually benefit the film as a whole as it gives it a fresh feel. It’s more outside the norm than your standard mystery or horror-mystery. The film is aided by strong performances from Tom Conway, Kim Hunter, Jean Brooks, and Hugh Beaumont.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.37:1 2160p. How do the films look? The 4K digital restorations for both B&W films contain crisp new transfers.
Audio Tracks: Uncompressed Mono. How do they sound? ‘Zombie’ is a little on the soft side aside from more audibly active scenes while the Mono track for ‘Victim’ is more effective.
Extras:
* Blu-ray copies
* Commentary on “I Walked With A Zombie” by authors Kim Newman and Stephen Jones. On the 4K and Blu-ray.
* A double-sided booklet with essays by authors Lucy Sante and Chris Fujiwara.
* Commentary on “The Seventh Victim” by film historian Steve Haberman. On the 4K and Blu-ray.
* “The Secret History Of Hollywood”- An audio commentary of sorts over both “I Walked With A Zombie” and “The Seventh Victim” featuring audio excerpts from Adam Roche’s podcast “The Secret History Of Hollywood” about the production of each film. On the 4K and Blu-ray.
* “I Walked With A Zombie” and “The Seventh Victim” trailers.
* “Imogen Sara Smith On Val Lewton”- A new 47 minute interview with author Imogen Sara Smith who talks about both films (and the connections between them), the themes, Jacques Tourneur, an analysis of scenes and characters, lighting, and more.
* “Shadows In The Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy”- A 2005 documentary about the legendary film producer featuring a host of interviews with authors, writers and filmmakers.
* “The Origins Of The Zombie, From Haiti To The U.S.”- Nearly 13 minutes of excerpts from the PBS series “Monstrum” about voodoo and zombie origins in West African and Haiti cultures and their depiction in media.
* “Jean Brooks And Tom Conway”- More audio excerpts from “The Secret History Of Hollywood” podcast about the two actors.
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