Carnival of Souls
United States
1962
83 Min
Black and White
1.33:1
English
1,105 Views
Synopsis
Herk Harvey’s macabre masterpiece gained a cult following through late night television and has been bootlegged for years. Made by industrial filmmakers on a modest budget, Carnival of Souls was intended to have the “look of a Bergman” and “feel of a Cocteau,” and succeeds with its strikingly used locations and spooky organ score. Mary Henry (Candace Hilligoss) survives a drag race in a rural Kansas town, then takes a job as a church organist in Salt Lake City. En route, she becomes haunted by a bizarre apparition that compels her to an abandoned lakeside pavilion. —The Criterion Collection
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Graveyard Poet likes this
Danny Dreams
28Dec11
Such an odd little film with some very unnerving imagery. It's atmosphere alone more than makes it worth a watch.
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Articles
Our roundup of essays and articles on this film.
The Forgotten: Hey, Pluto!
By David Cairns on June 10, 2010
One searches in vain for a film like Carnival of Souls. Incredible as it is that an oneiric phantasia like Herk Harvey's 1962 fever dream actually
The Forgotten: Skeleton Quay
By David Cairns on March 5, 2009
DR. LIVINGSKELETON, I PRESUME? The Living Skeleton is a lot of fun, or at least, that was my experience, or I think it was
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Reviews
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Surreal, Psychological Thriller with a Noir Aesthetic
By acarrillojr on December 30, 2009
The opening car race/game of chicken with oncoming traffic probably does not get the respect it should…as is the case for the film as a whole. This psychological thriller debuted after the decline… read review
It's lean and visually arresting enough to reward at least a single viewing
By preferences on December 18, 2009
Strange that I’m attempting a mini-review even before I’ve finished the film, but I’m this way with horror—I just can’t sit still. It’s a very spooky film, which is not to say its a great film, but… read review
Untitled
By jake barge on November 26, 2009
Garbage, even for a B-movie. Never looked like a Bergman but looked like it tried to, and had the worst soundtrack ever recorded. so boring. dark shadows did the whole organ thing enough for the entire… read review
Untitled
By T.J. Royal on November 25, 2009
Maddeningly uneven experience, even if it has an enjoyable highlight or three. With its wildily inconsistent performances, especially from the lead, and its ocassionally intriguing set pieces and scenes… read review
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WATCH A FILM: SCREENING OF CARNIVAL OF SOULS GOING ON RIGHT NOW!
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Carnival of Souls
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DVD
Buy the DVD from The Criterion Collection.
