Lively, entertaining reviews of, and essays on, old and newer films and everything relating to them, written by professional author William Schoell.

Friday, August 22, 2008

WITCHCRAFT

WITCHCRAFT (1964). Director: Don Sharp.

When a cemetery is bulldozed the grave of a woman buried alive after being branded a witch is unearthed, unleashing a modern wave of witchcraft in a small British community. There's also a feud going on between two families, one of whom is related to the witch. Lon Chaney Jr. shows up now and then as an angry descendant of the witch to enliven the mostly dull proceedings. The music by Carlo Martelli seems to do all the work. The murder scenes aren't done with any flair. The production is professional but bland. Unimaginative treatment of over-familiar material. No-name cast does its best but this is a loser practically all the way.

Verdict: Skip it. *1/2.

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