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Revolt of the Zombies (1936) - Victor Halperin


This little known movie from 1936 is actually pretty decent. The effects are practical and fantastic for it's time. Victor Halperin has already turned in some good movies and this adds to his report. Unlike many movies from this era this is based in Asia. Cambodia to be more precise. This film has adventure, mystery, and even a tiny bit of gore. However, it ends up going on a bit long.

The movie is about a group of scientists sent to Cambodia to research a formula that turns men into Zombies. These Cambodian Zombies are under complete control of someone sinister and they must be stopped from overrunning the scientists compound. Dorthy Stone, Dean Jagger, and Roy D'Arcy turn in some pretty average performances. It isn't their fault the movie has really deep dull spots.

The movie does have some really cool high points to counter-balance. We get to see a cool effect used whenever mind control is being used. Bela Lugosi's eyes flash on screen and are superimposed behind the film itself. It's actually the best part of the whole movie. The acting is dry and the storyline peters out around thirty minutes in. It's a rough old movie that didn't stand up to the test of time. I would suggest the movie to film students.

I don't like sermons.

  • The eyes that are frequently superimposed on the screen are those of Bela Lugosi. They were taken from Victor Halperin's earlier film White Zombie (1932)
  • A tagline for the film said Zombies--- Not dead, not alive!
  • Filmed at Talisman Studios, Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

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