Dennis Alan is an anthropologist sent to Haiti to research a mystery drug which induces a death-like zombie state. During his quest he falls in love with Marielle Duchamp, a local doctor, and makes a dangerous enemy of Captain Peytraud, the head of the secret police.
I think this is maybe my favourite of Craven's movies (it's a toss-up with A Nightmare On Elm Street), primarily because it's such a rich and varied film - it's equal parts jungle adventure, voodoo horror, political exposé, travelogue and interracial romance. The only movies which mix more genres are Big Trouble In Little China and The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai. Very loosely based on the real-life Harvard scientist Wade Davis, it's a heady brew of crazy ideas all thrown together, shot in fantastic locations in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It goes a bit bananas towards the end, but the exploration of the vodou beliefs and rituals, and the juxtaposition of this with the political oppression is brilliantly handled. Craven mixes location footage, hundreds of local extras and even newsreel into his story with a sure hand. This is a horror movie for sure, packed full of arresting images (a zombie on a flaming rowboat, a blood-drenched dream of being buried alive, an animated torture-chair), but is so many other things as well. Pullman and talented British actress Tyson are both great, but Jennings and Mokae steal the acting honours. Jennings is wonderful as the tricky but self-assured witch-doctor Mozart, while South African actor Mokae is simply one of the best screen villains of all time - his teeth alone are scarier than most bad guys. As the devilish Peytraud, chief of the all too real Tonton Macoutes (rough translation - boogiemen), his eyes smoulder with hatred and misanthropy, and as both government assassin and bokor soul-stealer, his soft-spoken authority is truly chilling. With a great score by Brad Fiedel, this is a rich, romantic, scary horror movie with a fine cast and a refreshingly original story to tell. Don't miss it.
I think this is maybe my favourite of Craven's movies (it's a toss-up with A Nightmare On Elm Street), primarily because it's such a rich and varied film - it's equal parts jungle adventure, voodoo horror, political exposé, travelogue and interracial romance. The only movies which mix more genres are Big Trouble In Little China and The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai. Very loosely based on the real-life Harvard scientist Wade Davis, it's a heady brew of crazy ideas all thrown together, shot in fantastic locations in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It goes a bit bananas towards the end, but the exploration of the vodou beliefs and rituals, and the juxtaposition of this with the political oppression is brilliantly handled. Craven mixes location footage, hundreds of local extras and even newsreel into his story with a sure hand. This is a horror movie for sure, packed full of arresting images (a zombie on a flaming rowboat, a blood-drenched dream of being buried alive, an animated torture-chair), but is so many other things as well. Pullman and talented British actress Tyson are both great, but Jennings and Mokae steal the acting honours. Jennings is wonderful as the tricky but self-assured witch-doctor Mozart, while South African actor Mokae is simply one of the best screen villains of all time - his teeth alone are scarier than most bad guys. As the devilish Peytraud, chief of the all too real Tonton Macoutes (rough translation - boogiemen), his eyes smoulder with hatred and misanthropy, and as both government assassin and bokor soul-stealer, his soft-spoken authority is truly chilling. With a great score by Brad Fiedel, this is a rich, romantic, scary horror movie with a fine cast and a refreshingly original story to tell. Don't miss it.