Eye For Film >> Movies >> A Scary Time (1960) Film Review
The first part of A Scary Time is extended footage of children preparing for Halloween. This makes fond viewing if you particularly like children. But seems a little pointless otherwise. Until the tone changes.
Trick or treat.
A Scary Time was commissioned by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. After establishing a warm, familiar homely feeling among well-cared for children, the film starts suddenly intercutting scenes of children who have something more to be scared of than lanterns and masks. Children suffering from poverty and disease in Third World nations. The effect is shattering. Probably one of the most disturbing ‘issues’ films you could watch.
A Scary Time features music by the distinguished composer, Peggy Glanville-Hicks. It was so upsetting - frightening even - that it was never used by UNICEF.
Reviewed on: 08 Jul 2008
