The Mark of the Witch is a horror film that was released in 1970. Directed by Tom Moore, the movie tells the story of a young woman named Elaine, who discovers that she is the reincarnation of a 17th-century witch. As she delves deeper into her past, Elaine starts to experience strange and disturbing visions, leading her to question her own sanity. Set in a small New England town, the film creates a creepy and atmospheric atmosphere, with its eerie shots of foggy landscapes and creaky old houses. The cinematography and lighting contribute to the overall sense of unease, as the viewer is constantly left wondering what is real and what is a figment of Elaine's imagination. The Mark of the Witch explores themes of witchcraft, the supernatural, and the power of the mind.
basically mst3k fodder that's too slow to be mocked or watched ironically (gross), with a score that sounds like it was composed by gene belcher before he really came into his talents, this is way dorky but earnest in a way that i found extremely charming. plus it does that wacky thing like in TRANCERS 2 where occasionally the shot reverse shot has people centered in the middle of the frame facing the camera. what the hell! also has some great visuals, and a hell of a shocking ending, both suggesting a talent beyond the bad script/acting. also also it's 75 minutes, the greatest of all movie lengths! youtu.be/TDxMnjRZT7M
The witch recites a long curse on everyone at her hanging and Jill becomes her vessel of vengeance on the hypocrites who hanged her by taking it out on this kind of dorky assortment of college coeds and guys, specifically at a make-out grove by the football stadium. The overt satanic rituals were nothing new at the time as they were featured in earlier slicker films like Masque of the Red Death 1964 and Devils of Darkness 1965.
The Mark of the Witch explores themes of witchcraft, the supernatural, and the power of the mind. It delves into the history of witch trials and the persecution of women who were believed to possess dark powers. Through its narrative, the film comments on the dangers of superstition and the destructive nature of fear.
Mark of the Witch (1970)
Many moons ago when I was at boarding school, there was a patio restaurant across the main drag from campus that had a detached building containing the restrooms. In the short hallway between latrines, there was a poster for a horror flick I had never heard of, entitled Screams of a Winter Night. After some research using 2004-era internet access (no small feat, to be honest), I found that the movie had been filmed in and around Natchitoches, Louisiana (where my boarding school was located) by college students in the late seventies. They made three prints of the film and took them to drive-ins in the nearest cities, where Screams was discovered and picked up for nationwide distribution. Although it’s my understanding that the film has since found a home on DVD, it took some time to locate a pirated VHS copy of the movie at that time; although it has a certain nostalgic appeal for me, it’s not a very good movie, being largely amateurish in its narrative cohesion and poorly filmed in general, with lighting that renders much of the film impossible to see at points. Maybe I’ll get around to reviewing it for the site one day, but this is really just a preamble to discuss today’s selection, another cheap regional production, 1970’s Mark of the Witch, which, unlike Screams of a Winter Night, is actually a lot of fun and definitely worth seeking out.
In the late sixties, two Dallas women named Martha Peters and Mary Davis noticed that, although the horror genre was exploding, very few films were being made by or for women. Since both women had an academic interest in the occult, they composed a draft of Mark of the Witch, in which a young co-ed is possessed by the spirit of a centuries-dead witch. The film was shot with a cast and crew comprised mostly of local Texan amateurs: Peters seems to have never written anything else, while Mary Davis’s sole other screenwriting credit was for 1974’s Scum of the Earth. This was the first directing credit for Tom Moore as well, although he would direct Return to Boggy Creek (sequel to The Legend of Boggy Creek) seven years later before going on to have a largely unremarkable career as a TV director for episodes of various programs, including Cheers, Picket Fences, The Wonder Years, Mad About You, and L.A. Law.
The film opens with the hanging of the titular witch (Marie Santell), overseen by the betrayer MacIntyre Stuart (Robert Elston); he and two other members of their coven turned on the other ten members, leading to their execution. With her final words, the witch curses Stuart: he and all of his descendants shall bear her mark, until she returns to exact her vengeance. Some three centuries and change later, Leonard Nimoy lookalike Alan (Darryl Wells) is buying some books on witchcraft at the local university bookstore, where his girlfriend Jill (Anitra Walsh) is assisting with a book drive. They briefly discuss the psychology course that they are taking from Professor “Mac” Stuart (Elston again) and make plans to attend one of his parties/seminars that evening. After Alan leaves, Jill discovers a real spell book, later identified as the Red Book of Appin. That evening, she brings the book to the meeting and encourages her friends and classmates, including horndog Harry (Jack Gardner) and ditzy Sharon (Barbara Brownell), to participate in a ceremony outlined in the book: summon a witch.
When nothing seems to happen, the group disbands for the evening and Alan, unaware that Jill has been possessed by the witch, gives her a ride back to her dorm, shrugging off her strange behavior as a kind of joke. Jill returns to Stuart’s home and tells him the truth. Stuart had donated the Red Book, a family heirloom, to the book drive in the hope that it would be found and a ritual performed as a psychological experiment; after a few demonstrations of her power, Stuart and Alan realize that they have unleashed an old evil in modern times. While the possessed Jill seeks out and kills Harry and Sharon to complete a rite that will make her ruler of the world, Alan and Stuart work together to try to find a way to exorcise her possessor before it’s too late.
This is a fun little movie, and surprisingly impressive for a film made on such a small budget and with only local talent. The fun is mitigated in a few places by special effects failures (the fire that the possessed Jill uses in her rites at the wooded grove is no larger than a dinner plate, for instance) and some repetitiveness (the witch uses the same overlong invocation in a few separate scenes), but it’s obvious that all of the players involved are having fun, and that sense of bonhomie and good humor is infectious enough that it’s no trouble to get swept up in the moment.
I saw the film at the Alamo Drafthouse’s weekly Terror Tuesday event in Austin, and the reels themselves were provided by the American Genre Film Archive, which is committed to preserving little oddities like this. Host Joe Ziemba noted that the film had never been checked out from the archive since its induction, and that only a few dozen people had seen the film in its original release. Although the quality of the 35mm print was imperfect (some parts of the film itself had actually turned to dust, resulting in a few skips in the narrative and a blank screen), it was still a great viewing. The entirety of Mark of the Witch appears to be available on YouTube, so viewing it in your own home is not only easy, but highly recommended.
Cheapo horror films of the 1960's and 70's come in two types: campy and fun (especially for a night of light partying with friends) or a one off viewing where the disc goes into the trash simply because you never intend to watch it again or risk losing a friend by passing it on. This is the later, a cheaply made story of supernatural revenge that was decently photographed but features hideous headache inducing soumd effects.
In terms of performances, the cast delivers solid performances, with Anitra Walsh portraying the troubled and vulnerable Elaine. She effectively conveys the character's fear, confusion, and descent into madness. The supporting cast also brings depth to their roles, adding to the overall tension and suspense. The Mark of the Witch was not a commercial success when it was first released, but over the years, it has gained a cult following among horror movie fans. It is appreciated for its atmospheric visuals, intriguing storyline, and thought-provoking themes. In conclusion, The Mark of the Witch is a horror film from 1970 that delves into the supernatural, witchcraft, and the power of the mind. With its atmospheric cinematography and strong performances, the movie creates a sense of unease and leaves the viewer questioning what is real. While it may not have been a commercial success at the time of its release, it has since gained a cult following and is appreciated for its unique blend of horror and psychological thriller elements..
Reviews for "The Role of Power and Control in Witchcraft Accusations of 1970"
1. Jenny Smith - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really disappointed with "Mark of the Witch 1970". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The acting was subpar, with many scenes feeling forced and unnatural. I found myself getting bored halfway through the movie and couldn't wait for it to end. Overall, it was a forgettable and lackluster experience.
2. John Johnson - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "Mark of the Witch 1970" based on the trailer, but sadly it didn't live up to my expectations. The cinematography was decent, but the script and dialogue were weak. The story felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters and their motivations. Additionally, the special effects were poorly executed, making some supposedly scary moments more laughable than anything else. Overall, it was a mediocre horror film that failed to deliver on its potential.
3. Sarah Thompson - ★★☆☆☆
I found "Mark of the Witch 1970" to be quite underwhelming. The pacing was off, with long stretches of the movie feeling slow and dragging. The scares were predictable and lacked creativity, relying on overused horror tropes. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving me feeling frustrated rather than scared. While there were a few decent moments, overall the film felt uninspired and forgettable.
4. David Miller - ★☆☆☆☆
"Mark of the Witch 1970" was a complete waste of time. The acting was atrocious, with wooden performances that lacked any depth or emotion. The plot was nonsensical and convoluted, making it hard to even understand what was going on. The movie seemed more interested in shock value than actually creating a cohesive and engaging story. Overall, it was a poorly made and forgettable film that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.