Search - White Zombie (B&W) on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 7/9/2023...

Seems like a good plotline but the video is poor quality and the audio is so bad, it hisses the whole time! Make a break for it!

A "B" Horror Masterpiece

Bobby Underwood | Manly NSW, Australia | 04/02/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This atmospheric film about a happy young couple finding danger on a Hatain plantation is a "B" horror classic. Released shortly after Lugosi's "Dracula," "White Zombie" has much of the same atmosphere and look of that film.

Brothers Edward (producer) and Victor (director) Halperin worked with cinematographer Arthur Martinelli to give Garnett Weston's story of zombies an eerie look and fun atmosphere. Anyone popping this one in late at night won't be disappointed.

John Harrow and the lovely Madge Bellamy star as young lovers who learn right away that those who work in the sugar mills by day, and the fields at night, are no longer men, but members of the walking dead. Lugosi is their master, controlling the glassy-eyed undead at every turn.

Plantation owner Charles Beaumont (Robert Frazer) is deeply in love with Madeleine (Madge Bellamy) but cannot convince her not to marry her true love, Neil (John Harrow). In desperation he turns to Lugosi for help, but Lugosi has his own plans for the beautiful young bride. The discovery that her body has been removed will lead her husband Neil and his new friend, Dr. Bruner (Joseph Cawthorn), down a dangerous trail to Lugosi's foreboding castle by the sea. It is there they hope to break the zombie spell and save her soul.

This is a "B" horror masterpiece which is a lot of fun to watch. Madge Bellamy, a silent star at Fox (Lorna Doone), had been absent from the screen for three years due to a dispute with her studio before returning here. Her beauty and talent continued to grace a few low budget mysteries in the early 1930's. Her eventual slide to "B" films was an example of an offscreen personality contrasting too greatly with her onscreen image.

Surviving prints of this film are at best average, if watchable, so this inexpensive Alpha one is as good as any. The ending doesn't disappoint in this one. Marvelous fun!"

Horrible, horrible sound quality

John Lumsdon | California, the OC | 03/24/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This review refers to the A2ZCDS.com edition of White Zombie.

I am unsure just how this has been remastered, but the background noise on the sound transfer makes it almost unwatchable. Please buy another version of White Zombie if you want to own this wonderful old movie. The Alpha Video release may have breaks in the sound, and at least one in the film, but I can hear the dialog, and at half the price. White Zombie
"

Unfortunate

Brenda K. Mayo | 08/03/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, this was not what I expected for a "Remastered" version of White Zombie. I was anxious to get this one as I have an older copy from a few years back, and could not wait to get a better copy. The sound quality is a hundred times worse than my older copy of the movie. As soon as I start the movie you hear a very loud hissing sound that is so bad you can barely hear what the actors are saying. Also, as promised there were no subtitles available so I could finally know what the people were saying. I was so looking forward to this dvd and paid $14.95 willingly for a "good copy". I don't usually complain about anything, but must about this release. I would not recommend purchasing the remastered version if you already have this movie, not worth the money. I hope someone can come out with a good quality version of White Zombie in the future. -Brenda Mayo"