Review

by Sam S

Seminal 60s horror

This 1962 horror film is not widely-known, but for those who do know, it is regarded as a classic. Made for very little money, the film builds up the tension through subtle atmospheric tricks and a haunting soundtrack – music plays a central role throughout. The main figure, Mary, has survived a car crash that proved fatal for the other passengers, yet something has happened to her, and she keeps seeing the image of a strange man, and hearing eerie organ music. She decides to take up a job as an organist in the local church. It doesn’t rely, like so many below-average B-movies, on the usual tactics to unnerve its audience – so no zombies, masked killers, or the like. Instead, it creates a sense of unease through the recurring image of the strange man, in windows and mirrors, and the music, gradually becoming increasingly discordant and sinister, helps add tension for the audience.