Richard Boone in I Bury The Living

I Bury The Living is a dark, mysterious film that was released in 1958. Directed by Albert Band and starring Richard Boone and Theodore Bikel, the movie skillfully combines elements of supernatural suspense with aspects of psychological horror to deliver an engaging cinematic experience that keeps its audience captivated and intrigued at all times.

The plot centers on Richard Boone's character, Robert Kraft. Kraft, who inherits a cemetery director's post from his father, treasures his gift little, viewing it more as a burden rather than a position of prestige. The cemetery is large, dated, and filled with elaborate crypts and mausoleums from generations ago. To keep track of the sprawling expanse of the grounds, a large, detailed map of the cemetery hangs in Kraft's office. The map is dotted with black and white pins — the black for the occupied graves and the white for the plots that have been bought but not yet in use.

As the film progresses, Kraft's routine task of updating the map following funerals becomes eerily unnatural. He becomes troubled when two healthy plot owners die mysteriously soon after he accidentally marks their plots with black pins. Initially dismissing it as a coincidence, Kraft starts to doubt his skepticism when the pattern continues — every plot he marks with a black pin soon houses a deceased owner. This strange occurrence generates terror, guilt, and a sense of chilling anxiety in Kraft, who begins to believe that he possesses a dreadful power — the power to condemn the living to an early grave.

Adding to this atmosphere of unease and dread, Theodore Bikel delivers an outstanding performance as Andy McKee, the groundskeeper. McKee is an enigmatic character who possesses peculiar insights into Kraft's predicament, making the audience question whether he is part of the problem or the solution.

The script, while initially grounded in reality, gradually introduces elements of the supernatural as Kraft's power begins to show itself. The film does an excellent job of making the audience question whether these sinister occurrences are a result of some supernatural force or merely a product of Kraft's increasingly disturbed mind. The psychological aspects of I Bury The Living are thoughtfully explored, allowing viewers to connect with Kraft as he spirals into a disturbing obsession with his supposed lethal power.

I Bury The Living is masterful in its eerie, chilling execution. The black-and-white aesthetic lends perfectly to the movie's haunting aura, with its use of deep, imposing shadows and unsettling high-contrast imagery. The austere, archaic cemetery setting also serves to deepen the intrigue, adding unique character to the film.

Additionally, the movie's score, composed by Gerald Fried, is an integral part of shaping the movie's ambiance. The ominous, threatening music heightens the suspense, resonating with the film's dark themes and Kraft's inner turmoil.

The film avoids the expected clichés of horror and suspense, instead cleverly leading its audience down a path of psychological unrest, as Robert Kraft grapples with his newfound "power," feelings of guilt and fear of death that pervade I Bury The Living.

Richard Boone gives a commendable performance as the guilt-ridden Kraft, convincingly embodying his slow descent into madness with haunting realism. Boone is well-supported by a stellar cast, including Theodore Bikel, whose performance as the sinister groundskeeper is powerfully enigmatic.

In conclusion, I Bury The Living is a compelling blend of the supernatural and psychological horror that successfully keeps its audience on the edge of their seats. Built around a unique premise and executed with a chilling aesthetic, the film is a definitive classic in the realm of horror cinema. Its artistic approach, coupled with stellar performances from Richard Boone and Theodore Bikel, makes it a must-watch for fans of the genre.