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Very disappointing...

the audience applauded

People are voting emotionally.

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

I'm going to be real lazy here and just copy the plot summary from IMDb - "Cuba, 1850. On a sugar-cane plantation, the master and his wife are happy : they're expecting a child, their slaves are quiet. But tonight, as the full moon rises, the sound of the drums are in the air. Yambao, the grand-daughter of a sorceress killed 15 years ago, has come back.. With her grand-mother's spirit." Much better and more succinct that I could ever have put it.Overall, I'll call Yambao a disappointment. From what little I'd read in the past about the movie, it is neither as good or as scandalous as I'd been led to believe. I'd call it a fairly lame, predictable melodrama with way too much dancing, drumming, and chanting. Star Ninón Sevilla is the one bright spot. I'm not familiar with her other work, but here, she really gives it her all. Sevilla shines in every scene. She's a naturally sensuous woman and conveys that sensuality in her every move. The script here, however, lets her down. Co-star Ramon Gay is too bland to give her much to work with. A real disappointment.

There is such a bias these days against anything which hurts feelings. To these people, I say, shove off! It's time we see things for what they are. In terms of this film, what we have is an imitation, I think, of "South Pacific." Oh, don't roll your eyes, just listen. The use of color and location here reminds me of the best musicals from that era. The depiction of 1800's plantation Cuba is terrific. It's to me definitely more of a musical than a supernatural film, but the latter's influence is not lost. In short, there's enough entertainment to keep a non-horror fan occupied, and enough occult to keep that genre's aficionado awake. It doesn't hurt that in the print I viewed Yambao gets naked. So, let this lowbrow review be a clarion call and a warning. Yambao is just fine.

This is a really cool voodoo/possession film that you really need to see in a good color wide-screen version. It was filmed in Cuba and Mexico. Like most Mexican films that deal with the possessed, the subject is treated as a reality -- not fantasy. "Chucky," for example, was a major hit with Latinos, because it was considered realistic. But the best part of this thriller is the Cuban Ninon Sevilla. She started out as a dancer, and later became a big star. Her dancing in this feature is about as sexy and alluring as you'll ever see in the 1950's movie. The movie moves along and is all-around entertaining. But that dancing -- fasten your seat belts!

The first (and only) time I seen this movie was back around 1965 or 1966 on an old heavy 13" tube type B/W TV. I have not seen it aired since then. Would really love to find a copy of this movie despite the somewhat vague memories I have of it. I would put this movie in among the other oldies which I'd rate as one of the cult classics! Back in the days of the "Friday late night shockers", this was one of the number of memorable classics I recall. I have to give this a "10" rating, simply because it left such an impression on me. It was fairly risqué for it's time, but compared to today, well, it's pretty tame. Nonetheless, I was captivated by it's presentation. A good rare oldie!