Should many of today’s horror films be classified under the horror genre? Be it the redundant and outlandish torture motion pictures (hello, Saw franchise) or the grotesque and vomit-inducing movies (good day, Green Inferno), the modern-day generation of horror projects neglect the age-old wisdom of less is more. While they offer shock value and generate a cult following for excessive violence, these movies lack the charm of the classic films, Universal Studios’ chilling endeavors in the 1930s, and the artistic projects overseas following World War II.
It might seem like a handwringing case of “back in my day,” but there is a reason why filmmakers’ pursuits of horror, whether in the 1920s or 1960s, are celebrated to this day. Whether the cinematography or the eerie atmosphere presented on the silver screen, there is an extensive catalog of horror films to consume, especially during the haunting month of October.
Since it is Halloween and everyone is entitled to a good scare, what classic horror films should be on your viewing list this month? Here are some of the top movies, some known and others not so known.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari | 1920 | Germany
Dr. Caligari is in possession of a somnambulist, a hypnotized Cesare (played by the criminally underrated Conrad Veidt) who can allegedly see into the future. A man’s death is predicted, and the prophecy comes true. The mystery is determining if Cesare is the murderer, or if Dr. Caligari is pulling the strings.
What the era of silent German films, from Robert Wiene to Fritz Lang, manufactured was remarkable, considering that motion picture technology was very much in its infancy. Nevertheless, young filmmakers remain influenced by these inventive and innovative films. The only way to watch this, of course, is on Blu-Ray.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | 1931 | United States
Based on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, this box office juggernaut became the premier adaptation. While the incredible presence of Fredric March and Miriam Hopkins sold the film to moviegoers, it is undoubtedly the directing and makeup that has made this the gold standard of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde films.
Diabolique | 1955 | France
An abusive man is murdered by his wife and mistress. The two women dump his body in a neglected swimming pool. However, when the pool is drained, the corpse is nowhere to be found. They start to question if he is dead, with one of them thinking she is seeing the victim. It is definitely one of the greatest French films ever made, so be prepared for some excellent twists and turns!
Eyes Without a Face | 1960 | France
A doctor kidnaps young women and confines them to his mansion to remove their faces. But why? He feels responsible for an accident that caused his daughter’s face to be disfigured. This French picture possesses the mysterious nature of horror, thanks to the impressive photography and the iconic face covering. It is a slow and methodical film, but it is an enjoyable one.
Repulsion | 1965 | United Kingdom
Perhaps Roman Polanski’s most excellent film, Repulsion follows a sex-repulsed woman (the lovely Catherine Deneuve) who descends into madness after being left alone in an apartment by her sister. The photography is more than just a black-and-white standard. Instead, the cinematography delivered to audiences stands out, creating a claustrophobic, disoriented, and surreal environment.
Hour of the Wolf | 1968 | Sweden
An artist (played by the great Max von Sydow) begins hallucinating during a vacation with his wife (the legendary Liv Ullman). He thinks demons are visiting him as he remembers his ex-lover. Ingmar Bergman directing a horror film? It is not exactly shocking, considering that his artistic masterpieces explore the human psyche and perhaps the most frightening prospect in this world: the absence of God.
The Exorcist
The Exorcist | 1973 | United States
A demonic entity possesses a young girl, and two priests (one of them played by Max von Sydow) performed an exorcism to rescue her. Everything about this film is perfect, and it is not only one of the greatest horror movies of all time but also one of the most incredible pictures in history. Director William Friedkin created a masterpiece that used ingenuity to create the visual effects and character reactions he desired, whether the freezing cold in a room or firing a gun near an actor’s ear to garner an authentic response.
Universal Studios Classics
Universal Pictures distributed some of the most iconic horror pictures and characters in the history of cinema, leading to the successful careers of several legendary thespians, namely Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. Of course, everyone knows about The Invisible Man, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, and The Wolf Man. But the film production and distribution company released some other excellent horror films that deserve at least one viewing: Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932), The Black Cat (1934), The Raven (1935), It Came from Outer Space (1951), and The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).
There Is So Much More
Indeed, Classic Hollywood has churned out so many wonderful films – as well as dreck – that there should be some honorable mentions on this list: The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, White Zombie, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Body Snatcher, Rosemary’s Baby, many of the classic Vincent Price movies, and other notable pictures. So, while today’s generation of filmgoers can imbibe torture-porn on the big screen, film fanatics can turn on Turner Classic Movies, visit YouTube, or check out the vast collection on Amazon Prime in October and enjoy the very best of the ‘20s, ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s, and some of the ‘70s.
~ Read more from Andrew Moran.
