The Living Idol

Incredible Ancient Mexican Locations with WideScreen and Color, Surreal Scenes of Expressionism, and a Mythological Story for the Ages. It's about a God (Jaguar), and its Reincarnated Soul Stealing are Things that Resonate and Entertain in this Experimental Final Film from Director Albert Lewin Based on His Novel. It had some MGM Financing but was a Horrendous Horror Story Flop that Virtually No One Saw and those that Did were anything but Kind. The Film, to this Day, Lingers in Obscurity. The Criterion Folks have Paid Homage, but it's an Unknown Artwork that is Ripe for Discovery for Movie Buffs, Fans of the Supernatural, and those Seeking Off-Beat Entertainment. It will Echo Val Lewton to those that See this Wonderful Movie. An International Production Worth a Watch, at Least, and if the "Movie Gods" are Dispensers of Justice, it could become a Cult Movie and Reincarnate this Work that Deserves an Appreciation and a Bigger Audience.

THE LIVING IDOL is a slice of horror hokum from south of the border, shot in Mexico with a cast that includes imported British character actor James Robertson Justice. The story is heavily indebted to the '40s efforts of Val Lewton such as CAT PEOPLE and THE LEOPARD MAN, with the discovery of a jaguar idol in some ancient Aztec ruins. Early Indiana Jones-style adventure gives way to psychological mystery, as our Hispanic heroine Juanita finds herself menaced by a shadowy beast. It's all rather slow and stodgy, although well shot by profilic director Rene Cardona; you'd be better off sticking with the Lewton originals.