Witchcraft (1964)

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

It could be--as far as I know, it's not available on a standalone DVD. I found it paired with a double feature disc, so who knows? At any rate, this could be one of Lon's last few standout features or roles. His career hadn't totally sunk into the abyss yet, but he was still solid, whatever else was going on in his life during this point.As for "Witchcraft" itself, a good B-movie if you don't have high hopes--and that angle may make the movie more enjoyable. Not sure if I should go into too much detail--aside from the obvious--witches, satanic rituals, some nice co-stars (oh, Amy), and a nice, fiery climax where Lon and his niece in the movie get destroyed.Didn't see that coming, but I suppose she was supposed to be evil, too. Of course, having seen so many horrors, you don't always get out alive if you're supposed to be good in heart. Good, popcorn and horror entertainment...7.5 out of 10....

In the 17th century the Lanier family buried a Whitlock woman, Vanessa (Yvette Rees), alive as a witch and took over the family's estate. Three hundred years later the feud between the two families is still very much alive but, despite it, Amy Whitlock (Diane Clare) and Todd Lanier (David Weston) are making wedding plans. When property developer Bill Lanier (Jack Hedley) starts renovating the Whitlock estate, a bulldozer rips up graves in the old Whitlock cemetery escalating the feud between the families to boiling point. Vanessa rises from her disturbed resting place and with the aid of Morgan Whitlock (Lon Chaney Jr), a descendant from her family, uses witchcraft to destroy the Lanier clan one by one...One of those dear low budget British shockers made during this country's horror wave of the 1960's, which was spearheaded by Hammer studios. Harry Spalding's screenplay neatly knits together what is a pretty formulaic story line that contains little that we have not seen before. Nevertheless, thanks to the efforts of the talented director Don Sharp, there are some splendid, extremely well staged shocks like when Vanessa manifests herself in the rear view mirror of a victim's Morris Minor car whom is hypnotised into driving to her death off a cliff face at a rubbish tip.Most of the cast bar Lon Chaney Jr - here appearing in one of his last starring roles and by now way passed his prime - is competent while not exactly inspired. Diane Clare and David Weston, in particular, are rather dull as the two young lovers while Jack Hedley is not exactly the screen's greatest hero. Yvette Rees, although without dialogue as Vanessa, looks suitably glamouress while equally sinister at the same time.Arthur Lavis' b/w camera-work is suitably atmospheric with its swirling mists and creepy graveyards and a Sight and Sound review at the time described the film as often "reminiscent of Val Lewton.". Judge for yourself.

"Witchcraft" is a comparatively obscure British horror film from 1964 that may be getting some well-deserved latter-day fans, thanks to recent screenings on TCM and this great-looking DVD. This modest but well-done offering from Shepperton Studios almost plays out like a Hatfield & McCoys family feud, but with decidedly supernatural overtones. It seems that modern land development in an area outside London has desecrated the burial plot of the Whitlocks, and before long, Vanessa Whitlock, who was buried alive in the 17th century for witchcraft, is up-and-at-'em to take vengeance on her ancestral enemies, the Laniers. Jack Hedley is quite sturdy in his role as Bill Lanier, the modern-day land developer, and, in a NONembarrassing performance, Lon Chaney, Jr. is also quite fine as Morgan Whitlock, a coven leader. Best of all, perhaps, is Yvette Rees as Vanessa. With not a single line of dialogue, she manages to convey implacable evil very effectively, and her every appearance is a frightening one; my beloved "Psychotronic Encyclopedia" is quite correct in describing her as being "in the Barbara Steele tradition." Director Don Sharp, whose work on the 1963 Hammer film "Kiss of the Vampire" had recently impressed me, here turns in another solid effort, and the film's B&W photography is quite lovely to behold. The picture ends most satisfactorily, I feel, and on a nicely UNsentimental note, with Grandmother Lanier's pronouncement "Born in evil, death in burning" a perfect summation of affairs. Though perhaps not quite as sterling as an earlier British witches-and-devil film, "Horror Hotel" (1960), "Witchcraft" yet reveals itself to be a compact and pleasing affair that does leave a residual chill. Unlike Vanessa, this is one relic whose unearthing should be welcomed....

I had always been interested in checking out this one, as much for the late eminent critic Leslie Halliwell's favorable assessment of the movie as for its coverage (from the time of the original release) in a monthly magazine which my father used to collect called "Film Review".WITCHCRAFT allows horror icon Lon Chaney Jr. (top-billed here but appearing only intermittently throughout!) one of his best latter-day roles – though he gives a rather one-note performance. Jack Hedley (later star of Lucio Fulci's notorious slasher THE NEW YORK RIPPER [1982]) is well cast as the young lead, projecting the right mix of ruggedness and intelligence. Notable, too, is Yvette Rees as the revived witch – actually reminiscent of Barbara Steele from Mario Bava's seminal BLACK Sunday (1960) in her simultaneous evocation of sensuality and repulsion; all of her appearances (including nightly visitations upon current members of her family's rival clan who had her buried alive centuries ago!) denote some of the movie's visual and dramatic highlights.As a matter of fact, the film emerges as one of four classic British occult chillers – the others being NIGHT OF THE DEMON (1957), THE CITY OF THE DEAD (1960) and NIGHT OF THE EAGLE (1962) – which clearly serve to establish the fact that there was life within the field outside of Hammer Films…although, on this preliminary viewing, I'd say WITCHCRAFT is a notch below the other three. Incidentally, being the last to come out, it shows definite influences emanating from the concurrent flood of Italian genre offerings (with, as I said, any number of arresting Bavaesque images) courtesy of Don Sharp's stylish mise-en-scene – demonstrating once again his flair for Gothic horror also displayed in Hammer's THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE (1963) – and Arthur Lavis' crisp black-and-white cinematography. The few coven scenes – especially one that is foolishly interrupted by heroine Jill Dixon, leading to her immediate abduction – bear a strong similarity to those in THE CITY OF THE DEAD; Carlo Martelli's moody score effectively complements the eerie proceedings, which culminate in a typical but satisfying fiery climax.Still, I found the script somewhat problematic and was slightly bothered by the following rather glaring goofs/plot contrivances: during the scene in which Jack Hedley is being compelled to drive towards a precipice by the witch, there's a cut to the car back on the main road (unless this was intended as an illusion, for Hedley to keep going regardless – but it's not made exceedingly clear and, in fact, there's been a recent discussion on this very point in the "Classic Horror Film Board"!) and couldn't they have come up with a different method of disposing of the brothers in the first place (especially since no ominous devil-doll is seen anywhere near them at that time!); also, the fact that Hedley and his brother would go off on a business trip and leave their loved ones behind (including a bed-ridden grandmother) when a couple of unexplained deaths have already occurred, the girl staying with them (the brother's girlfriend) may or may not be involved in witchcraft herself and the vengeful head of their rival clan is about to be sprung from jail!; finally, the thirteen members of the coven enter the crypt to begin the pivotal Sabbath rituals but singularly fail to notice straight away the absence of their intended sacrifice (Dixon) from the room – conveniently allowing the girl and her saviors enough time to flee the premises unharmed! Despite the rather disappointing (if not surprising) lack of extra material found on this "Midnite Movie" 2-discer released from Fox, the included photo gallery does allow one a rare and intriguing look (in color, no less!) behind the scenes of this modest but classy production.