Greetings And Salutations, and welcome to my review of Night Of Death; here's the breakdown of my ratings:
Story: 1.50
Direction: 1.50
Pace: 1.50
Acting: 1.50
Enjoyment: 1.50
TOTAL: 7.50 out of 10.00
Night Of Death was a breath of fresh air for two reasons. One: I've been watching a few more recent movies of late, and even though they may be superb, they don't hit the spots the oldies do. Two: we don't get many Ghoul tales in the horror genre, and when they're as good as this, they're a refreshing tonic.
The writers had an astute idea, one I wish I'd had. Take your average Residential Home filled with grumpy and awkward old folk but add a dark and ominous twist, which I won't reveal here - nobody likes spoilers. In the fifties and seventies, many nursing homes were constructed on rural land. It was to provide peace and quiet for the residents. However, in this instance, the writers use the homes' isolation to keep the world beyond its locked gates out. Nobody can see what's happening within Deadlock House. Add in a few mysteries, why can't the carers leave the property for the first two months? What happened to the previous nurse? What are the strange noises in the night? Why is the caretaker cruel to the residents? And, what does the Gold Needle Killer have to do with it all? And you should have enough to keep you intrigued until the finale. But they don't stop there. No! They fill the story with credible and relatable characters. You can understand Nurse Nicolle's exasperation working with a few members of the community, particularly the menfolk. You're comforted by Carer Martine's effervescent and helpful manner. You may even feel a slight sadness for Flavian, the rough caretaker. All of which pull you into the story more and add to its power.
The virtuous script allows the director, who co-wrote, enough leeway, so he's not required to do much, but he still does. He has a keen eye for composition. The shot of Deadlock House standing on the charming grounds in a soft mist is beautiful and a tad eerie. He gives the audience an exemplary vision of Martine surveilling Flavien from behind a pine tree - Her face perfectly framed by the branches and foliage of the tree. As a still, it could have graced many magazines of the day. It's a wonderful image. He's also skilled at using light and shadow to add unease to a scene. When the old fogies walk down the hallway at night, they pass from dark shadows into pools of light coming from open doorways. The way he places the performers is crucial to the atmosphere. He has them positioned like tenpins in a V shape. The smallest at the front and the tallest at the rear. It allows you to see all their faces and the different emotions they carry, which makes it all the more chilling. The only baulk I have is with the pacing of some scenes. Some could have been a smidgen slower to build tension, especially the segment where Matine discovers a secret doorway. And he could've sped up some others to add a hint of excitement, such as the fight and flight scenes. But these are tiny things, and the film is damned good anyway. And, it enjoys the best blood I've seen, both in colour and consistency. Shame it doesn't appear to dry.
The cast is brilliant. Isabelle Goguey as Martine is exceptional. Not only does she possess screen presence, but she exudes a true warmness onscreen. I could happily watch this actress time and time again if she's always this excellent. Flavien is a confused and obscure character; he is afflicted with inner conflicts, and Michel Flavius displays this mental turmoil well. However, in his spectacle of rage, he slightly overcooks the emotion, which damages the scene a bit. I especially liked Jean Ludow and Michel Debrane as Leon and Jules. They were the most likeable and testy of the old folks and reminded me of my Grandparents and their friends. It's always good to take a trip down that delightful memory lane. Thank You.
I would suggest that all horror fans try and find a copy of this flick - it's worthy of your attention. It has a way of getting under your skin, in a good and entertaining way, which doesn't require the use of any sharp implements.
Please feel free to visit my Absolute Horror and The Game Is Afoot lists to see where I ranked Night Of Death.
Take Care & Stay Well.
