The Witches

Rating:
Summary: It's always the quiet chills that "get" you!
Review: Lucky me--I'm both a big fan of Joan Fontaine and Hammer Films, so "The Witches" is heaven-sent! I'd read about this movie years ago and have even caught snippets of it over the decades, but nothing prepared me for Anchor Bay's excellent DVD release! Crisp, clean, with deluxe packaging and interesting "extras," The Witches is a quality product all the way. Ms. Fontaine--whose screen persona ranged from innocent and shy (see Hitchcock's "Rebecca" and "Suspicion") to connivingly evil ("Born to Be Bad")--gives a low-key and totally convincing performance as "Gwen Mayfield," ex-missionionary teacher. Her new assignment, acting as headmistress to a private church school in quiet Heddaby (Cornish England) would seem to be an ideal move, considering her traumatic turn at the hands of African witchdoctors (shown in an exciting prologue). But what's this? There are strange "undercurrents" in Heddaby! Drownings, headless voodoo dolls, a burned-out church, and "the mangle!" Could it be? Is there actually (gasp)witchcraft afoot? Well, needless to say, with a movie called "The Witches," you can draw your own conclusions! It's interesting to see Fontaine at work--she lacks the bombast of, say, a Bette Davis or Joan Crawford. Instead, she handles her duties as Hammer horror heroine with great subtlety and panache. Watch for British film vet Kay Walsh, who practically steals the film--she's excellent! "The Witches" gets my highest recommendation!

Rating:
Summary: It's always the quiet chills that "get" you!
Review: Lucky me--I'm both a big fan of Joan Fontaine and Hammer Films, so "The Witches" is heaven-sent! I'd read about this movie years ago and have even caught snippets of it over the decades, but nothing prepared me for Anchor Bay's excellent DVD release! Crisp, clean, with deluxe packaging and interesting "extras," The Witches is a quality product all the way. Ms. Fontaine--whose screen persona ranged from innocent and shy (see Hitchcock's "Rebecca" and "Suspicion") to connivingly evil ("Born to Be Bad")--gives a low-key and totally convincing performance as "Gwen Mayfield," ex-missionionary teacher. Her new assignment, acting as headmistress to a private church school in quiet Heddaby (Cornish England) would seem to be an ideal move, considering her traumatic turn at the hands of African witchdoctors (shown in an exciting prologue). But what's this? There are strange "undercurrents" in Heddaby! Drownings, headless voodoo dolls, a burned-out church, and "the mangle!" Could it be? Is there actually (gasp)witchcraft afoot? Well, needless to say, with a movie called "The Witches," you can draw your own conclusions! It's interesting to see Fontaine at work--she lacks the bombast of, say, a Bette Davis or Joan Crawford. Instead, she handles her duties as Hammer horror heroine with great subtlety and panache. Watch for British film vet Kay Walsh, who practically steals the film--she's excellent! "The Witches" gets my highest recommendation!

Rating:
Summary: That voodoo that you do.
Review: The Witches is more mystery than terror. Joan Fontaine returns to England as a school marm after a frightening run in with witch doctors in Africa. True to Hammer form wierd things start happening in this charming English country side. Great movie with great mystery until the orgy of the witches. The firey head dress, and choreographed convulsions are a bit much, and I don't even want to think about that brown stuff they cram into their mouths. If you are a collector you definitely want this in widescreen.

Rating:
Summary: A Hammer classic
Review: This film actually exceeded my expectations. Though Hammer studios put out a lot of classy horror and sci-fi films they also released some real duds. This one is scripted by screenwriter Nigel Kneale (though adapted from a novel) who also wrote the entertaining Quatermass series for Hammer, and like those films Kneale's writing lends an intelligence that is often missing in this type of movie. Joan Fontaine is also exceptional in her role and the direction by Cyril Frankel is above par. The ending may leave a little to be desired, and the witch ceremony was more funny than frightening, but don't let these minor objections deter you if you are a fan of Hammer films or the classic horror genre in general. Also of note, the Anchor Bay (distributor) tape has a beautiful pristine picture and the remastered sound is also outstanding.