Despite opening with crackling thunder, and the ubiquitous Shaw Brothers logo, Sumpah Orang Minyak (sometimes translated as Curse of the Oily Man), despite being billed as a supernatural horror movie (of which there is plenty of in here), is really more of a tender and tragic morality tale. Si Bongkok is a deformed hunchback whose everyday life consists of endless abuse at the hands of his fellow villagers. But the beautiful daughter of the village chief stands up for him, and protects him against his tormentors. Bongkok falls in love with her, and even paints her a picture that he gives to her before her father banishes from the village. The servants of God take pity on him, and transport him to a magical world where he is bestowed with good looks, under the condition he never kill another human being. But when his true love is killed by a romantic rival, Bongkok snaps and kills him. As punishment he is turned invisible for the rest of his life. But Satan offers him a deal, if he can rape twenty-one virgins in a week, he will restore his humanity. In order to make sure Bongkok follows through, Satan transforms him into the gruesome Oily Man. The plot itself is very much reminiscent of many classic tales of chills and spills, and should not shock anyone who has seen any kind of horror movie before, but where this film shines is in its drama. Malaysian superstar P. Ramlee (who also directed the film) brings genuine pathos to our doomed protagonist, but never slips into maudlin sentimentality. An as a work of visual storytelling, Sumpah Orang Minyak boasts some stunning set-pieces and camerawork. It is quite cheesy and dated at times (Satan and the Oily Man are both decked out in union suits), but there are also moments of inspired creativity (the servants of God ride in a floating ship that very much recalls a UFO). In the end, this is one of those movies that leaves one feeling quite satisfied at the end, like comfort food.
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