Now this little movie is supremely satisfying. If I can believe the IMDb (and in this case I do) it was actually produced in 1958 and only released a few years later.
It's the story of a mean old man who makes a deal with the devil, gets rejuvenated and endowed with magic power. He tries to use his new found power to win the heart of a young woman and (very effectively) to be grudgeful.
Three things make the film interesting and well worth watching: Firstly Ed Nelson as our bad guy, slightly creepy and never overacting. Secondly the relatively small scale of the happenings. Sure, there are a few murders, but none of them is supposed to be spectacular. When Nelson uses magic to transform himself to kill someone, he doesn't become a monster, but a snake or a horse. Even his motives aren't as much apocalyptic as believably petty and egocentric.
Thirdly the sure and (again) subtle direction gives all of the proceedings a pleasant feel of realness of place and time.
Not small things for a low budget movie like this.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
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