Black Cat could almost be seen as an early example of a werewolf genre, albeit with the main threats/monsters/antagonists transforming into cats instead of wolves. Still, it follows many of the conventions of the genre. Its monsters slash victims are people shunned and rejected by society who are seeking compensation for the alleged wrongs done against them.
Well, alleged is a bit of a strong word here. These ladies absolutely have a case against their victims.
What I like the most about this film is its atmosphere. There's a heavy feeling of dread hanging over the entire film. War has ravaged the land and absolutely no one is safe. Not even the innocent farmer lady and her daughter-in-law living in a rural cabin in the woods.
There's also a feeling of otherworldliness hanging over the film. Whenever the vengeful spirits are on the screen, we're transported into a realm of their own making. A realm where the walls are closing in and the rules are loose.
If I had to nitpick, I'd say the plot is driven more by coolness of idea than strict adherence to logic and plot. The vengeful spirits seem to do whatever they please, as long as it doesn't contest the plot. And when it does, the plot seems to melt away in order for the story to make sense.
Black Cat has the atmosphere and the spooky bones to make it work. Not the best horror film I've seen, but it deserves a special mention for its age alone, if nothing else.
Well, alleged is a bit of a strong word here. These ladies absolutely have a case against their victims.
What I like the most about this film is its atmosphere. There's a heavy feeling of dread hanging over the entire film. War has ravaged the land and absolutely no one is safe. Not even the innocent farmer lady and her daughter-in-law living in a rural cabin in the woods.
There's also a feeling of otherworldliness hanging over the film. Whenever the vengeful spirits are on the screen, we're transported into a realm of their own making. A realm where the walls are closing in and the rules are loose.
If I had to nitpick, I'd say the plot is driven more by coolness of idea than strict adherence to logic and plot. The vengeful spirits seem to do whatever they please, as long as it doesn't contest the plot. And when it does, the plot seems to melt away in order for the story to make sense.
Black Cat has the atmosphere and the spooky bones to make it work. Not the best horror film I've seen, but it deserves a special mention for its age alone, if nothing else.