he Undying Monster is a well-crafted variation of the 'Wolf Man' films which combines a supernatural family curse into a murder mystery plot-line. The story is rather on-par with many of the B movies of the time period, but without question elevated by the direction and cinematography. Early on the film builds a nice atmosphere between the wide shot compositions of the old, creepy mansion to the shadow soaked lighting, which help to establish this form of isolation and foreboding doom. While this is definitely not on the same level as Hangover Square, The Lodger, or Guest in the House, this film showcases Brahms ability to really use sound and visuals to create tension and mood. Whether it's the camera movements in the beginning of the film which are perfectly suscinct with the tolling of a clock or the scene in front of a fire place where smoke distorts the entire image, Brahm was really underrated as a visual filmmaker. Obviously having Lucien Ballard as your cinematographer for this film certainly helps the cause too. So all in all, John Brahm's The Undying Monster is a solid if unspectacular film that is elevated by Brahm and Ballard. There is an ancedotal theme that centers around the diessection of supernatural vs. good old fashion murder that is very interesting too, though not a central theme by any means. 7.25/10
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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