The Witches/The Devil's Own (1966)

[Braktastic]

The Witches Blu-ray
Posted August 6, 2013 02:32 PM by Webmaster


StudioCanal have revealed that they are planning to release on Blu-ray director Cyril Frankel's The Witches a.k.a The Devil's Own (1966), starring Joan Fontaine, Kay Walsh, Alec McCowen, Ann Bell, and Leonard Rossiter. The preliminary release date set by the studio is October 21.

60's British B-movie chiller featuring voodoo, the supernatural and general dark arts. A comely young British teacher takes up a remote posting in darkest Africa where the local juju man lays a hex on her. She has a breakdown and is forced to return to the UK. There, she takes up a post at a rural school where all appears well on the surface. It turns out, however, that the place is a hotbed of witchery and darkness and that a virgin sacrifice is planned for the near future. The film was directed by Cyril Frankel, who'd made Hammer's 1960 child abuse drama Never Take Sweets From a Stranger, and the script was by Quatermass author Nigel Kneale. Their depiction of sinister undercurrents in a pastoral setting wasn't sinister enough for the BBFC, however, who only granted the film an 'A' certificate. Hammer persuaded them to reconsider, but this accomplished film still failed to find an audience.

No, this is not great Hammer, but it's Hammer.

[NoirFan]

I thought Studio Canal was no longer releasing any Hammer films? This is one of my favorites from the studio, so I'm glad to see it back on the schedule.

[OAXACA]

Awesome, one of my fave hammers and starring the great Joan Fontaine! I wonder if SCs hammer releases are back on now then? Was really looking forward to Frankenstein Created Woman before it got the chop

[Judex]

Originally Posted by Braktastic

No, this is not great Hammer, but it's Hammer.

How dare you Sir, this is a fantastic Hammer film.

This shall be purchased.

Originally Posted by OAXACA

Awesome, one of my fave hammers and starring the great Joan Fontaine! I wonder if SCs hammer releases are back on now then? Was really looking forward to Frankenstein Created Woman before it got the chop

I don't know. I hope they do release it. It's one of my favourites.
Thorley Walters, Peter Cushing & Duncan Lamont

[Show spoiler]although he dies super early.

+ Peter Madden as the Chief of Police.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by OAXACA

starring the great Joan Fontaine!

Possibly my favorite actress other than Stanwyck.

[HammerDave]

An odd one to be putting out at this stage. I get the sense they're pushing it as "Look, Joan Fontaine!" rather than selling it as a Hammer title. Oh well, this may mean The Nanny is on the cards as well.

[Judex]

I really like this cover.

[ravenus]

DVD Times recently reviewed this and they think the BD is a fine offering of a minor film, which is a flawed precursor to Rosemary's Baby and The Wicker Man. My interest is piqued.

[drees5761]

Fantastic transfer of a strange Hammer film.....my review...
http://blurayreviewer.co.uk/the-witches-blu-ray-review/

[OAXACA]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

Possibly my favorite actress other than Stanwyck.

Great shout! As a massive noir fan, I'm inclined to agree with you.

I'm hoping The Witches will be delivered tomorrow; if so that will be my evening sorted. Another thing I like about THE WITCHES is Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies' performance. She was also in THE DEVIL RIDES OUT and looks and acts brilliantly creepy in both films. She lived to 101 in real life so may well have been a witch

[Brett C]

I have to order this soon.

[SergeantVic]

I was wondering if anyone has bought this from Amazon recently and if so, did you receive a copy with slipcover as pictured on the site? Thanks for your help.

[Hammerlover]

Originally Posted by SergeantVic

I was wondering if anyone has bought this from Amazon recently and if so, did you receive a copy with slipcover as pictured on the site? Thanks for your help.

I only have the Scream Factory release, which didn't come with a slip.

[SergeantVic]

I took a gamble (rather than pay more on eBay for a guaranteed slip) and got lucky. Cheers for your reply.