director:
Malcolm Leigh
starring: Alex Sanders · Dorothy Robart · Maxine Sanders · Guy Standeven
(narrator)
This
is an engrossing documentary covering various aspects of witchcraft in
England throughout the ages. Critics have complained that writer/director
Malcolm Leigh used this format as an excuse to get away with “showing
attractive young naked folks performing initiation rites and dancing around
a bonfire without clothes under the moonlight.” And while there is
an abundance of nudity (from lots of young British women who look more
like Marianne Faithful or Mary Hopkins than the typical hag witch), this
documentary manages to sidestep lurid exploitation with its sharp and
crisp black and white cinematography by Robert D. Webb. Moreover, in the
relatively short running time, it depicts everything from animal sacrifices
to superstitions to sexual rites while suggesting similarities between
Christianity and Witchcraft. It's all narrated with the exquisite soothing
sonority by prolific British voice-actor Guy Standeven.
This
film is a mirror of the time. In late '60s England, when the all nude
revue of OH!
CALCUTTA opened in London, parliament voted to take away Lord
Chamberain's power to censor the stage. At the same time, this film opened
at the National Film Theater and it caused a furor with its depiction
of female pubic hair. Government censor John Trevelyan wanted to keep
in step with public tastes - especially after the Oh Calcutta
decision - so he allowed the movie to play and full frontal nudity was
suddenly allowed in the UK.
Director
Malcolm Leigh was essentially a short-subject documentary filmmaker. This
was his first full length film. Two years later, he followed with the
seldom-seen erotic movie LADY
CHATTERLEY VS FANNY HILL before returning to short subjects. Despite
the promotional controversy surrounding this film, it found difficulties
with distribution and remains virtually unknown outside of its niche market.
Theatrically, it was overshadowed by other witchcraft documentaries from
the same period, especially Luigi Scattini's WHITE
ANGEL, BLACK ANGEL
[Witchcrath '70].
A
British film in English language; widescreen uncut (72 min.)
NTSC DVD format, encoded for ALL REGION,
playable
on any American DVD machine. Extras include theatrical trailer.
Violence, Nudity, Blasphemy, Devil Worship
Recommended for Adult Audiences
