"The Witch Trailer" The witch trailer is a highly anticipated horror film that was released in 2016. Directed by Robert Eggers, the movie tells the story of a Puritan family in 17th century New England who experiences strange and supernatural occurrences after moving to a secluded farm on the edge of a dark forest. The film opens with the family being banished from their plantation due to a disagreement over religious practices. They settle near a thick forest, which is believed to be haunted by witches. Soon after their arrival, the family's infant son mysteriously disappears, leading the family to suspect witchcraft. As the film progresses, tensions rise within the family as they question each other's loyalty and faith.
Even Neil Gaiman himself addressed it;
And I think I rather disappointed him by explaining that, no, I certainly didn t believe that Rowling had ripped off Books of Magic, that I doubted she d read it and that it wouldn t matter if she had I wasn t the first writer to create a young magician with potential, nor was Rowling the first to send one to school. I was drawn to it as a Harry Potter fan that noticed the similarities between the characters Harry Potter Tim Hunter and then found out that this story was published 7 years before The Philosophers Stone.
As the film progresses, tensions rise within the family as they question each other's loyalty and faith. The children, Thomasin and Caleb, are especially affected by the strange events, as they are tormented by vivid nightmares and visions of witches. The family's farm animals are also affected, with the crops failing and the goats becoming increasingly aggressive.
The Books of Magic 1-4 by Neil Gaiman [Review]
As an avid fan of Neil Gaiman’s work I was super surprised to find out I totally missed out on The Books of Magic. I think I knew of the four issues in the back of my head but completely forgot they were a huge thing as time went by. And the weird thing is I was reminded of them due to a semi-recent tweet that addressed more or less people complaining Gaiman stole the idea of a boy “wizard” in his starting steps from J.K. Rowling. What sparked that conversation on Twitter I have no idea (was it the owl? Because Tim has an owl called Yo-Yo? People did read the comics before going on a Twitter rant, right? They know an actual yo-yo was turned into an owl just for Tim to know magic is real?), but it resulted in people and even Neil Gaiman himself having to explain to other users how fiction writing works and how inspiration works and also that 1990 comes before 1997. Yep, the Philosopher’s Stone came out in 1997 and The Books of Magic were written between 1990 and 1991. I think that’s pretty much a discussion ender there. Anyways…
Aside from that, as always I was really happy to explore another piece of Gaiman fiction in a universe I am familiar and comfortable with.
The Books of Magic give the starting point to Timothy Hunter’s adventure in becoming, if he choses so, one of the greatest if not the greatest magician of his generation. As he is quite young and unaware of that possibility, four practitioners of magic take it upon themselves to introduce Tim to the capabilities, promises, dangers, opportunities and costs of magic. Dubbed the “TrenchCoat Brigade”, its four members are John Constantine, the Phantom Stranger, Dr. Occult, and Mister E. Each of them take Tim on a specifically tailored tour of the magical realms that showcases certain aspects set in the distant past, the chaotic present, the dangerous multi-realms and Faerie and the far, far set future.
Between these points in time and magic, Tim is introduced to what are essentially Vertigo’s and DC’s greatest magical persons – Zatanna, Madame Xanadu, Dr. Fate, The Spectre, Merlin and many more. A fantastic treat are the appearances of Dream of the Endless and Death of the Endless, Sandman’s perhaps most beloved characters (I know they are mine).
So, in all that Tim has to decide whether he wants to pursue magic or science, science being a life of normality and rationality and safety without a hint of magic. He is given the opportunity to learn about magic and thus decide whether he wants it and also unbeknownst to him passes a sort of test which might help determine whether his affiliation, if he chooses magic, will lie with the forces of good or evil. Though that’s somewhat of a blurry line in that universe as things are neither black nor white. They’re kind of mood indigo , as Mister E knows all too well.
I wouldn’t want to spoil too much for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to read these four issues though it’s been years since they came out and the respected characters appear not only in their own arch’s but in many collaborative issues such as Justice League Dark and even the Sandman series just to name two out of the top of my head.
If you are keen on magic but in its philosophical, transcendental, esoteric, ancient, powerful and dark visage and admire smart and elegant and through and through brilliant writing that’s syphoning life-lessons on the backdrop of angels cascading flaming to earth, or Atlantis crumbling in the distance, or the universe and the stars being birthed, led by hierophant’s and jackasses and occult figures without true names, then this is absolutely the mini-series for you. You even get Death telling you about that appointment in Samara. Well not with so many words. You know the one, right? There was a merchant in Bagdad…
The mini-series is very strong even as a standalone series. Tim Hunter’s adventures do continue after this and the Books of Magic themselves make an appearance in Hellblazer and in Justice League Dark where John Constantine and Zatanna are important if not main characters. So there is a nice tie-in between very familiar characters and places that have been around in print form for a long time like Hellblazer, Sandman, Faerie to name some of the bigger ones. They don’t require an extensive introduction not only because of their pop-culture popularity but also since passing through them we do so as Tim does, our and his interval of introduction is based on the need to acquire knowledge, not to linger. It’s not an exploration mission, it’s one of understanding basics.
The Sphinx claimed that we are not really here at all. That we are an illusion, an oscillation in the final Event Horizon. But we feel like wer are real. We bicker and fight and make love for warmth and for comfort; We huddle together, and distrust one another.
My point being, even if you are a reader unfamiliar with that universe, you can still enjoy it just as much as avid fans do, because you get to experience these worlds and characters in their possibly most condensed form without losing from their allure and world mechanism. As brief as they come and go you understand what they are meant to be or represent.
Boston Brand aka Deadman even makes an appearance in The Books of Magic jumping from person to person to occupy their bodies and speak to Tim to inform him on who wants to kill him. The Spectre, though very briefly appears in the second issue and he is a huge DC character in its multiverse. Lady Titania, the Queen of Faerie represents a vital part in the third issue but she shares that introduction into Faerie with a famous fairy tale figure Baba Yaga, with a multitude of realms each bearing their own stories told masterfully in one page.
“Here do many demons make their homes, the twisted geometries conforming with their own dark internal vistas…”
John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess and Paul Johnson deserve more than praise for their work. They did fantastic work on the art of each of the four issues. Building these transitions in magic through realms in colors that stand out, that speak of ethereal and mystical is by far not an easy task as isn’t refreshing known characters and stylizing them according to the topic, the realms, this “TrenchCoat Brigade” but also keeping them consistent throughout the adventure even though each artists gives them different nuances. Each panel is detailed and the pages made such that they don’t feel clustered and obtrusive with colors or text. As always there are a few snapshots here for the viewing pleasure but their main purpose is to show just how amazing the art is and how important to this type of story. It is here to hook you up.
Any of you who know Neil Gaiman or his work know the universes he creates and know how carefully crafted they are, how vast and expanding they are and yet in their heart stands one person and their journey and them meeting all these bizarre and terrifying and amusing characters who offer riddles, or advice, or tales or danger. Trust me, The Books of Magic are a pleasure.
*Images and quotes used here belong to their sole creators.
Written by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by John Bolton, Scott Hampton, Charles Vess and Paul Johnson
Lettered by Todd Klein
From Neil Gaiman comes a tale of the dangers and opportunities of youth, reprinted the original four-issue miniseries. Timothy Hunter could be the most powerful magician in the world, but does he really want to be? John Constantine, Phantom Stranger, Mister E, and Doctor Occult attempt to aid Timothy in choosing his path, but by the time Timothy makes a choice, it may already have been made for him.
Thomasin, the oldest daughter, becomes the main target of suspicion within the family. Accused of witchcraft, she struggles to prove her innocence while grappling with her own doubts and fears. As the paranoia and hysteria take hold, the family descends into madness and violence. What sets "The Witch Trailer" apart from other horror films is its attention to historical accuracy and its dedication to creating an eerie and ominous atmosphere. The dialogue is dense and authentic, using language from the time period to immerse the audience in the story. The film also delves into themes of religious extremism, female empowerment, and the destructive nature of fear. Critics praised "The Witch Trailer" for its exceptional performances, atmospheric cinematography, and its ability to create a sense of unease and tension. However, some viewers found the slow-paced narrative and ambiguous ending to be frustrating. Despite mixed reviews, "The Witch Trailer" has gained a cult following and has been recognized as a modern horror masterpiece. It has won several awards, including Best Director at the Sundance Film Festival. The film's success solidifies Eggers' reputation as a talented filmmaker and establishes "The Witch Trailer" as a standout within the horror genre..
Reviews for "The Witch Trailer Revealed: Discovering the Dark Arts"
1. Alice - 2 stars - The Witch trailer was highly anticipated, but it didn't live up to the hype. The trailer failed to provide any clear storyline or plot, leaving me confused and uninterested. The visuals were dark and hard to make out, making it difficult to engage with the characters or understand the setting. Overall, the trailer left me disappointed and unconvinced that this is a film worth watching.
2. John - 1 star - The Witch trailer was a total bore. It seemed to drag on forever, with slow pacing and a lack of any real excitement. The dialogue was dull and uninteresting, failing to grab my attention or make me care about the characters. I found myself constantly checking my watch, hoping for something captivating to happen, but it never did. I have no desire to watch this film after being thoroughly let down by its lackluster trailer.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - The Witch trailer was filled with clichés and predictable horror tropes. It relied heavily on jump scares and eerie music, which felt forced and overdone. The characters seemed one-dimensional, and the overall concept seemed unoriginal. I found myself rolling my eyes and feeling unimpressed throughout the entire trailer. It's disappointing to see another generic horror film being marketed as something new and exciting.
4. Michael - 2 stars - The Witch trailer failed to capture my interest. It felt like just another generic horror film with nothing new or innovative to offer. The scenes shown were repetitive and lacked any sort of creativity. The trailer didn't provide enough insight into the story or characters to intrigue me or make me want to watch the film. Overall, it was a forgettable and unimpressive trailer for a potentially forgettable and unimpressive movie.