Corpse is a bittersweet movie directed by Tim Burton. It is inspired by the Ashkenazi ghost story that is connected to real world events. The movie is set in a gloomy Victorian town. The shy son of a wealthy merchant, Victor Van Dort is to marry Victoria Everglot, the daughter of an aristocratic that has lost its fortune. Despite the circumstances of the marriage, they fall in love. During the wedding rehearsal, Victor gets nervous and runs off to the woods. He repeats his vows, practicing them and he places the ring on what he thinks is a twig but it is actually the skeletal hand of Emily, the corpse bride.
Emily rises from the grave in her ragged wedding dress believing Victor has now married her. She takes her to the Land of the Dead. Victor learns of Emily’s tragic past while trying to go back to the living world to reunite with Victoria. She was murdered and betrayed by her fiancé. In the living world, Victoria’s parents pressure to marry Lord Barkis Bittern who is after the family’s imaginary wealth.
It is later revealed that Lord Barkis was the one who murdered Emily for her dowry. She gets her revenge and finds peace. Victor and Victoria finally get together.
The concept of true love is well shown in the corpse bride. Victor goes through all hoops to get to Victoria. Emily found peace once she let go of her past pain thus healing. She may have been dead but she was more kind and honest than the living.
