White Zombie

Looks like a burial.

In the road?

Driver, what is it?

It’s a funeral, Mademoiselle.

They are afraid of the men who steal dead bodies.

So they dig the grave in the middle of the road

where people pass all the time.

Well, that’s a cheerful introduction for you to our West Indies.

Do you know where is the house of monsieur Beaumont?

Zombies! Aller vite! Allez!

It felt like hands touching me!

Why did you drive like that, you fool? We might have been killed!

Worse than that, Monsieur. We might have been caught.

Caught? By whom? Those men you spoke to?

They are not men Monsieur, they are dead bodies.

Dead?

Yes, Monsieur. Zombies.

The living dead.

Corpses taken from their graves who are made to work in sugar mills

and fields at nights.

Look! Here they come!

Look! Look!

Excuse me please, have you got a match?

Did I frighten you? Ha, I’m sorry. I’m oddly enough I suppose.

No, it wasn’t you.

Something happened back on the road there.

We stopped to speak to some men.

Our driver told us that they weren’t men at all. He said they were corpses.

Corpses?

Surely you don’t believe it, do you?

No. But I don’t know, Haiti is full of nonsense and superstition.

They’re always mixed up with a lot of mysteries that will turn your hair grey.

I’ve been a missionary here for, oh, thirty years,

and at times I don’t know what to think.

Come, let’s go in the house.

Oh, yes, come, dear.

Is Mr. Beaumont in?

You are expected, Dr. Bruner.

Yes... I’ve been sent for to marry someone.

Maybe you...

How long is it that you’ve known Mr. Beaumont?

Oh, only a few days.

Madeline introduced him on the docks in Port-au-Prince.

Ah, and you?

I met him on the ship coming from New York.

He was very kind during the voyage.

Madeline and I planned to be married the moment she arrived,

but Mr. Beaumont persuaded us to come here.

And he promised to take me out of the bank at Port-au-Prince

and send me to New York as his agent.

Strange.

Very strange.

You...

I’ll tell Mr. Beaumont you are here.

It’s all right, isn’t it, doctor?

Oh, I guess so.

You see I, I’ve only met Mr. Beaumont once or twice.

But he never struck me like the man who would take the trouble

to play fairy godfather to a young couple like you...

Unless...

Unless what, sir?

I suppose you’ll think I’m a meddling old fool, but...

You know, I’d feel a good deal better if you’d clear out of this place

after you’re married,

and have nothing more to do with Mr. Beaumont.

The young people have arrived sir, and Dr. Bruner.

They are waiting in the reception hall.

Show them to their rooms, and tell them I’m out.

No wait.

Perhaps I’d better see them.

It might look odd if I didn’t.

Very odd, sir.

Especially as Dr. Bruner is a trifle skeptical as to your... motives, sir.

Nevermind my motives.

Has that other person sent word yet?

No, sir. Not yet.

He’s twenty-four hours late.

I wish you’d keep away from that man, sir.

He'll make trouble for you.

You needn't worry about that.

I'm not affraid of him.

I'm not easily frightened, sir. You should know that.

But what you are planning is dangerous.

Don’t you suppose I know that, Silver?

You don’t seem to realize what this girl means to me.

Why, I’d sacrifice anything I have in the world for her.

Nothing matters if I can’t have her.

I think, ah, I think you’ll like Haiti. Most people that...

Madeline! I’m delighted to see you! Neil, you’re more than welcome.

Thank you, sir.

Doctor, it is very kind of you to come.

I know what a busy man you are.

No, ah, not at all. There is a native family live out here

that I’ve been trying to see for a long time.

After this young couple are safely married, I'll leave.

But surely you will stay for dinner after the ceremony?

No, no, no. No, I must run along.

That’s a great pity. We have something very special prepared for this occasion.

It was very good of you, Madeline, to humour the whim of a lonely man.

There was so little time to prepare,

I couldn’t do half the things I wanted for you.

You’ve done more than enough already Mr. Beaumont,

for a comparative... giving Neil a position in The States.

Neil?

Yes. Yes indeed.

Oh, yes of course! I’m sure Neil will make a very good agent.

But you must be tired after your drive.

You get some rest. Silver!

Silver will show you to your rooms.

This way please.

Delighted to see you again, monsieur Beaumont!

Please.

Please.

I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, monsieur.

I’ve been on a journey

seeking men for my mills.

Men?

They work faithfully... They are not worried about long hours.

You... can make good use of men like mine on your plantations.

No.

That’s not what I want.

Then perhaps we should talk about the young lady

who came to your house this evening?

You’ve seen her? When?

The road, tonight.

There was a young man with her.

They are to be married, tonight.

You waited too long to do anything.

What do you want me to do?

If she were to disappear, for a month...

What do you hope to gain by her disappearance?

Everything...

Everything?

Do you think she will forget her lover in a month?

Just give me a month. One little month.

Not in a month. Not even a year, monsieur.

I looked into her eyes. She is deep in love. But not with you.

They are to be married within an hour!

There must be a way!

There is way.

The cost...

The cost is heavy!

You give me what I want, and you may ask anything.

No! Not that!

Only a pin point, monsieur Beaumont,

in a glass of wine or perhaps a flower.

Take it. The time is very brief.

You must do your share if I am to help you.

Keep it, monsieur.

Keep it. You may change your mind.

Send me word when you use it.

- I’ll find another way. - There is no other way.

They are driving away evil spirits!

Close it, close it!

Mademoiselle!

I love you, Madeline, more than anything else in this whole world, dear.

Heaven or hell lies in this little moment for me.

You could raise me up to paradise or you could blast my world into nothingness.

I can make you the envy of every woman.

I’d give my life to make you happy!

Oh, listen to me dear before it’s too late!

Don’t, please.

Don’t go into that room.

We can be in Port-au-Prince in half an hour.

There’s a boat sailing at midnight.

You’ve been so wonderful.

Don’t spoil everything now.

One last gift before I lose you forever!

We are gathered together here in the sight of God,

and in the face of this company,

to join together this man, this woman

in holy matrimony.

This is the night of nights!

A toast to the bride! To beauty’s queen!

Gladly, My Lord!

Leave but a kiss within the glass.

Fair gypsy, read my fortune.

What do you see in the glass?

I see happiness...

I see love, far more than you can bear.

Is that all?

No.

I see...

I see...

What is it?

I see death.

Madelin!

Madeline, what’s wrong?

Madeline my dear, please.

Oh, no...

Madeline? Madeline?

Can’t we do something?

Please, please.

Madeline!

Not my wife. My wife!

Praise of our lord and saviour and the love of god

and the fellowship of his angels.

Be with us ever more. Amen.

Neil, Neil...

Neil...