Rent The Queen of Spades (1949)

Justifiable rating as a ghostly classic - The Queen of Spades review by CD

I was a little nervous about whether a 1949 film would stand the test of time. It does, mainly due to a good plot and excellent characters.  There are some good spooky moments and the camera work is excellent creating a very atmospheric and enjoyable film that keeps its momentum to the end.

Slow Burn (spoiler). - The Queen of Spades review by Steve

Handsome but sedate production of Alexander Pushkin's story from 1834; a supernatural allegory of greed set in the St. Petersburg barracks during the Napoleonic Wars. Director Thorold Dickinson creates a powerful sense of macabre superstition, though doesn't relate the narrative as effectively, and the story drifts at times.

A lowly born engineer in the Russian army (Anton Walbrook) will go to any length to learn a formula for winning at cards from an elderly, grotesque former beauty (Edith Evans) who is said to have sold her soul for the secret. And he either goes insane with his obsession, or the old lady tricks him from beyond the grave. Your choice...

Either way, he loses his life savings to the degenerate officers he envies, and resents. The first hour of the film is very slow and interest rests on the supernatural atmosphere and period clutter. It's all carefree gypsies and decadent aristocrats. There's some fascinating detail related to an ancient book of souls that Walbrook discovers.

The acting is quite theatrical, but then the events take place in an illusory realm. Edith Evans plays a contender for the most disagreeable character in films, ever. The story comes eerily to life in the last third, as the engineer's superstitious dread envelops him, and the momentum builds to a thrilling climax, which is well worth the wait.