Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Bluebell Alcock Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

christopher-underwood This came as a big surprise. Either I had previously seen it some time ago in a terrible print or I had only seen the many evocative b/w stills. Whatever, the pristine and beautifully shot movie unwound before me, glowing in its Blu-ray presentation. It is not the fastest moving film in the world and the story is only slight but wondrous image after image appear while the remarkable Candace Hilligoss performs so convincingly, often with only herself on screen. It is a stunning performance in that she convinces us of something unspoken and it must be said unresolved. Her inter action with others is also surprisingly effective in that in most ultra low budget films that mix young and old there is usually some disconnect, whether deliberate or not in that it is clear that the more mature performers are in some way slumming it. Not here and the exchanges in the doctor's office are particularly strong. So, the acting is good, the locations eerie and effective and the organ music suitably worrying. The salt lake and church settings are contrasted with the lodging house and unusual shapes and textures the Candace encounters and overall a very unsettling atmosphere is achieved. An original and influential work thats effect lingers well beyond the modest running time.

jbell-69162 I agree with all those who think Carnival of Souls is a sadly forgotten masterpiece of scary and unsettling horror. It's heartening to know it's being rediscovered by today's scary mover fans. All that said, am I the only person who noticed the origins of the name of the actress who played the lead character Mary Henry? That was Candace Hilligoss, whose surname name is an American English corruption of the German name Heilegeist, which is German for "Holy Ghost". Considering the character she played that's a spooky irony, but it's actually just a spooky coincidence. Director Herk Harvey had almost no money to pay actors, so he was desperately hiring the best people he could find in or around the University of Kansas who would work for little or nothing. Who can say if Harvey ever noticed this?

qmtv Rating is a B for a B movie. 8 stars. 10 stars for balance.I didn't like the very beginning with the drag racing and crashing into the river, and the very end when they drag them out of the water. It just seemed to start from nowhere. The very end was ok as well. It wrapped up the story.What was great was when Mary walked out of the river, as a ghost. That was great. We next see her playing a church organ and then heading off for a job in Utah as a church organist.We have no other background on her, her family or friends, other than she studied organ music in college. She regards the job in the church only as a job, no connection to religion. This is fine. It gives a sense of mystery about this woman. All the performers did fine. Candace Hilligoss as Mary was perfect for the part. The neighbor also did a fine job. The Ghoul man was also great. This is not a zombie movie. It's a ghost story. It's eerie. The story is not perfect. It's been done on Twilight Zone and others have mentioned other earlier shows. But as a piece of work it evokes eerie. I felt sorry for this woman. Especially when she when she was in the doctor's office, the second time, losing her mind, when the doctor turns around and it's the ghoul man. Very sad. She didn't even know she was already dead. Some questioned what does the abandoned Bathhouse/Dancehall/Carnival have to do with her death? Well, I guess we must afford some artistic license to the filmmakers. This is my 2nd viewing. I was more impressed this time. I recommend this movie, along with the following: White Zombie 1932, Bela Lugosi's best movie, check out those zombies in the mill. Last Man on Earth, 1964 with Vincent Price - full on dread. Night of the Living Dead 1968. Messiah of Evil 1972. Footprints on the Moon 1975.

MonsterVision99 Carnival of soul is one of those movies that makes people feel really uncomfortable and leaves them with nightmares for a few days, but not me, I do find the film to be really good and quite atmospheric.The film takes us through a surreal journey that makes us wander around some Gothic scenery and some of the most uncomfortable places in a 60s horror film, its really eerie.There are many interpretations of the film that many people have come up with, but I still think that, like every other film, there really isn't a definitive answer, its all up to what you make of it.I definitely recommend this film, its not gory or graphic, but it may disturb you.