The Child | 1977 | USA | Robert Voskanian

Stylistically and narratively bizarre, this low-budget effort from Robert Voskanian and producer Harry Novak seems to eschew most conventional indicators of time, period and setting entirely, following a young woman called Alicianne who is called upon to be the carer for young Rosalie, a disturbed and spiteful little girl whose behaviour has took a tumble since the untimely death of her mother. As her duties continue, Rosalie’s mean streak becomes increasingly prominent, leading to the ghastly revelation that she can revive the dead from a nearby cemetery to attack those who have perturbed her in any way. Constantly in flux in terms of tone, with contemplative static sequences punctured occasionally with extreme gore and Night of the Living Dead-style last stands, The Child is a real treasure amongst exploitation. The zombies, gratuitous face-rippings and the focus on a young child automatically singled this out for controversy.