Dead of Night

Dead of Night is a 1945 horror anthology film directed by Alberto Cavalcanti, Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, and Robert Hamer, featuring the combined acting talents of Mervyn Johns, Michael Redgrave, and Roland Culver, among others. This reviewer concurs with general sentiment portraying it as an exemplary surrealist nightmare painted upon the canvas of classic British cinema. Complex, chilling, and hauntingly beautiful, Dead of Night’s innovative narrative structure and thematic depth continue to impress viewers and critics over seven decades after its release.

The overarching plot creates a solid framework that houses multiple standalone narratives, with each story contributing to the overall suspenseful ambiance. The film follows protagonist Walter Craig, portrayed by Mervyn Johns, an architect invited to a country home. Upon arrival, he unsettlingly realizes that he has been to this place before – in a recurring dream, no less. Every person present in the house has figured in his dream, evoking a sense of deja vu.

The guests at the country home are an interesting mix of characters, from the levelheaded psychiatrist Dr. Van Straaten, played by Frederick Valk, to the affable Sally O’Hara, characterized by Sally Anne Howes. The enigmatic Michael Redgrave delivers a stunning performance as an unstable ventriloquist. The characters begin unravelling their strange experiences, leading to several small tales of ghosts, dreams, and premonition within the central narrative.

Each character recounts their brush with the supernatural, bringing forth tales of a haunted mirror revealing a different world, a chilling encounter with a ghost during a children’s Christmas party, a premonition about a deadly bus crash, and a disturbing ventriloquist’s dummy with a life of its own. These individual stories, though distinct, are life-like and impactful, weaving together to form a mesmerizing fabric of suspense, fear, and anxiety that make up the larger plot.

One of the notable aspects of Dead of Night is its innovative use of the anthology format. Every story within the film not only illuminates the event's subtleties but also helps to build the mounting tension in the overarching narrative. As viewers, we are led through a labyrinth of tales that explore different aspects of horror – psychological, supernatural, and existential. The taut and seamless storytelling keeps the audience on tenterhooks, fearing the looming unknown.

The seamless transitions between each tale contribute to the eerie atmosphere, making the film an intricate and superbly structured piece of cinema. The use of light and shadow, paired with the pacing and rhythm of the narratives, creates a sense of deep-rooted disquiet in audiences that lingers even after the film is over.

The skillful performances of the well-chosen ensemble cast enrich the narrative. Mervyn Johns shines as the perplexed and fearful Craig, strolling through his own living nightmare. Michael Redgrave’s turn as the tormented ventriloquist is strikingly unsettling. The rest of the cast, including Roland Culver, Googie Withers, and Sally Anne Howes, deliver admirable performances, adding depth to their respective characters.

Dead of Night's impact on the horror genre is undeniable. It intricately meshes together elements of psychological horror, comedy, and supernatural thriller, making it a thrilling watch. Its unique non-linear narrative construction has influenced many future filmmakers and has led to it being regarded as one of the true classics of British cinema.

Dead of Night is a pallid jewel in the crown of horror cinema, an inspired mixture of mundane reality and paranormal fear that blurred the lines between the natural and supernatural bears testament to its timelessness. A film that is just as substantive and provocative as it is entertaining, Dead of Night is a cinematic treat that continues to serve as a benchmark for the horror genre. It is the complete package: atmospheric, stylishly made, possessing an absorbing sense of mystery, and most importantly, genuinely frightening. For fans of classic horror or British cinema, Dead of Night is an absolute must-see.