White Zombie is a 1932 American independent horror film directed and produced by brothers Victor Halperin and Edward Halperin respectively. It is considered to be the first feature length zombie film and has been described as the archetype and model of all zombie movies.
The films story is written by Garnett Weston which tells the story of a young womans transformation into a zombie at the hands of an evil voodoo master. Béla Lugosi stars as the antagonist, Murder Legendre, with Madge Bellamy appearing as his victim. Other cast members included Robert W. Frazer, John Harron and Joseph Cawthorn.
On arrival in Haiti, Madeleine Short reunites with her fiancé Neil Parker, with imminent plans to be married. On the way to their lodging, the couples coach passes Murder Legendre, an evil voodoo master, who observes them with interest. Neil and Madeleine arrive at the home of the wealthy plantation owner, Charles Beaumont. Charles love of Madeleine prompts him to meet Murder secretly in Murders sugar cane mill, operated entirely by zombies. Charles wants to convince Madeleine to marry him and solicits Murders supernatural assistance. Murder states that the only way to help Charles is to transform Madeleine into a zombie with a potion. Beaumont agrees, takes the potion, and surreptitiously gives it to Madeleine. Shortly after Madeleine and Neils wedding ceremony, the potion takes effect on Madeleine, who soon dies and is buried. Murder and Charles enter Madeleines tomb at night and bring her back to life as a zombie. In a drunken state, a depressed Neil sees ghostly apparitions of Madeleine and goes to her tomb. On finding it empty, Neil seeks out the assistance of the local missionary, Dr. Bruner, who recounts how Murder turned many of his rivals into zombies, who now act as Murders closest guardians. The two men journey to Murders cliffside castle to rescue Madeleine.
At the castle, Charles has begun to regret Madeleines transformation and begs Murder to return her to life, but Murder refuses. Charles discovers he has been tainted by Murders voodoo and is also transforming into a zombie.................