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Writer's pictureSouth West Silents

I Walked with a Zombie / The Seventh Victim: Criterion Collection

Co-Director James Harrison throws us into the world of Horror Noir, just in time for Halloween. Our thanks to our friends at The Collection Collection as we can also give you a chance to win a copy of this very special brand new double bill from the legendary Val Lewton.

The end of October and beginning of November is always a good time to dust off those old copies of Val Lewton VHS/DVDs and set yourself down for a late night screening of one of his classics (or maybe two). Well, dust off no more as those very clever people at The Criterion Collection (and they are very clever) have released two more of Lewton’s classics to go next to your already well played copy of The Cat People (1942).


But the release of their newest Lewton edition, this time with a double bill of I Walked with a Zombie / The Seventh Victim is a very welcome edition. Especially The Seventh Victim (1943) which has been very neglected over the years.

If anything, Jean Brooks’ incredible performance as Jacqueline Gibson in The Seventh Victim is just mesmerising, so much so, that, to be honest, Brooks should give you no other reason than to buy this set. Throw in the screen debut of Kim Hunter (A Canterbury Tale, A Matter of Life and Death, A Streetcar Named Desire, Deadline – U.S.A.) playing Gibson’s sister Mary and smooth talking British actor Tom Conway then you know you have three fine performances planned out in front of you.


With Nicholas Musuraca’s (The Cat People) fantastic cinematography and Mark Robson’s pitch perfect directing, The Seventh Victim is a perfect start for a night in.


I Walked with a Zombie (1943) is a totally different matter, and yet both it and The Seventh Victim work well together. Both star Tom Conway (he’s even smoother in this one to be honest) and both films have undercurrents of the supernatural. Well, there is nothing undercurrent of the supernatural about I Walked with a Zombie, every aspect of this film takes you to a different place. Where light and shadow mix and you begin to feel yourself delving into a dream like state.

This very direct story pulls you in, just like as it happens to Frances Dee’s character Betsy. Questions are constantly asked on where everything which is going on is actually happening and if it is, what does that mean for us as an audience (let alone for Betsy). Simplicity is the word for this film, and yet with both Lewton and the great Jacques Tourneur directing it is perfectly executed.


You may have noticed that I have hardly mentioned the storylines for these two great films. Well, that's because don't read into these films. They are perfect enough to watch from the start without knowing what is about to happen.


But, don’t forget, like this review, if you really want a late thrill ride into the night this Halloween, get yourself a copy of this new release and watch them in this order.


The Seventh Victim and then… I Walked with a Zombie. And for extra effect, get that copy of The Cat People down off your Criterion shelve and play it after these as well. Enjoy!


Thanks to our friends at The Criterion Collection we also have a brand new copy of this double bill give away. All you need to do is to answer the question below and message us via our contact page by Wednesday 30th October 2024.


Question: Which film studio did Val Lewton produce the likes of The Cat People, I Walk with a Zombie and The Seventh Victim?


Answers can be messaged to us via our contact page. Good Luck!


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