Grade: B+
First let me say that yes, I know this is a cheesy movie. The budget was restrained (an approximate $33,000) so we're going to get something Ed Wood-ish here. Of course, that was by 1962 standards, so when inflation-adjusted for 2011, it can be seen as almost a quarter-million dollars. (I believe that's how much Nicole Kidman's monogrammed towels cost for her dressing room.)
Even MST3K's Michael J. Nelson did a commentary on one of the many DVD releases. The difference between this movie and an Ed Wood movie is that while the acting and direction may not be first-rate, the cinematography and set design are amazing, something that Ol' Ed didn't even seem to bother with so as long as he got something on film to yell "Print it!" to. Carnival Of Souls has also been cited as a major influence for David Lynch, this blogger's favorite director.
The film has been in the public domain for years, so that means any Joe Schmo company could rip this movie off the internet and burn it onto a DVD and sell it. It's also found its way onto late night TV viewings, as I believe I saw it advertised on one of Elvira's Movie Marathons.
For those unfamiliar, the story involves a young woman (Candace Hilligoss) who is in a car crash due to drag race which opens the film, and the aftermath of her survival when the car she was in inadvertently drives off a bridge and into a lake below. She appears unharmed, but soon starts to experience visions of a strange powder-faced apparition following her, played menacingly by director Herk Harvey himself. Hilligoss is also constantly drawn to a boardwalk containing a rundown carnival where other nightmarish visions appear.
The best DVD to see is the Criterion version, which is really the only way to watch the film in a remastered print that doesn't make it look like it was recorded off of a 1980's TV with aluminum foil-wrapped rabbit ears. The Criterion DVD presents two versions, one with a few more minutes of footage that doesn't really add or detract from the viewing experience.
Most of all, the film's dream-like, lush camerawork is intact with the ever-so-creepy organ music adding a chilling feel to the proceedings. For a modest budget, the director Herk Harvey accomplishes a sense of dread with great skill. Of course the "B-movie" feel is always lurking over the film, but in a way in adds to the creepiness. (Harvey was a director of educational shorts and even took the helm for an episode of "Reading Rainbow". I wonder how he got along with Geordi La Forge?)
Carnival Of Souls is somewhat of a cultural icon in the history of film. A major influence on many directors including as mentioned, Lynch, and also George A. Romero, and praised by Stephen King....the film is an excellent example of what can be done on a small, industrialist budget. Of course, some could say the same thing about a "project" involving a certain witch. Although this movie does not include a sobbing, overacted on-camera apology.
That would be needed for any Ed Wood film.
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