The Serpent and the Rainbow | | Cast : | Bill Pullman, Cathy Tyson | | Director : | Wes Craven | | Studio : | Universal Studios | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | February 05, 1988 | | DVD Released Date : | September 23, 2003 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | April 27, 2005 | | Summary | The Stuff Nightmares Are Made Of | Content
 | This eerie masterpiece from Wes Craven is still as haunting to me as it was the first time I saw it. The excellent use of sound accompanies the horrific visuals to create a nightmarish dreamscape that can fill the viewer with either wonder or dread.
Dealing with the real life creation of Haitian zombies, this movie explores aspects of horror that haven't been tapped before. The feeling of authenticity and accuracy only makes the visuals stand out more in your mind after watching it. Though it wasn't as well received as A Nightmare On Elm Street or as violence driven as The Last House On The Left, this is certainly one of his most underrated and moody films. For any fans of Wes Craven's work, or fans of horror movies themselves, this is a must-see. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 01, 2004 | | Summary | Surprisingly Excellent Creepy Drama/Horror | Content
| Though not nearly as famous as "Scream" or "Nightmare on Elm Street", this is possibly Craven's best film. It isn't a terrifying movie but is a spooky film with a smart, well written story. This is one of Bill Pullman's earliest roles (first time I'd seen him) and he does a great job as a scientist sent to Haiti by a pharmaceutical firm to research the medicinal potential of a mysterious powder known to plunge people into a temporary deathlike state. The story effectively touches many different topics (life under the Duvalier regime, profiteering drug companies, religion, the supernatural...) without overdoing any of them. This is a diamond in the rough. You'll get more enjoyment out of it than you expect. Always a nice situation. |
| Rating | | | Date | January 28, 2004 | | Summary | Great Craven romp | Content
| Making an attempt to legitimize a horror film, Wes Craven adapted the best selling true life account by Wade Davis into this creepy horror romp. When a Harvard researcher (Bill Pullman) travels to Haiti to find a mysterious voodoo powder which can put anyone whom it is given to in a state of perpetual death, he gets way, way in over his head as he tries to uncover the mysteries behind the black magic. Craven manages to play with the viewer's psychological fears (including arachnophobia and claustrophobia as Pullman is buried alive with a huge tarantula crawling all over him) while inducing a few visceral thrills as well, but The Serpent & The Rainbow is definitely one of Craven's best films thanks to the realistic touch given to the film and Pullman's superb performance. Just like Universal's recent horror DVD re-releases, The Serpent & The Rainbow is devoid of any extras whatsoever, not even a trailer. |
| Rating | | | Date | November 18, 2003 | | Summary | Very odd.. but captivating | Content
| Based on a true story, Dennis Allan (Bill Pullman) is a scientist who visits Haiti because of a rumour of a drug which renders the recepient completely paralyzed but conscious. The drug's effects often fool doctors, who declare the victims dead. He believes this to be the origin of the zombie legend. Allan embarks on a surprising and often surreal investigation of the turbulent social chaos that is Haiti during the revolution which ousted hated dictator Papa Doc. Allan must decide what is science, what is superstition and what is the unknown in a anarchistic society where police corruption and witch-doctors are commonplace. |
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