The Blair Witch Project LE/Blu-ray (Second Sight)

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by cooey

I’ll wait for the standard edition to get reduced in a sale then pick it up

This seems like the best approach.

I hated the film when I last saw it, I found it incredibly boring and uneventful with unlikeable characters who operate their cameras like they are drunk and have never held a camera before. But I am curious to see it as it was always intended to be seen.

[oddbox83]

I always found it overhyped.

Again though, to see it as intended makes me well up for a revisit. Wobbly camcorder footage may be very easier on the eye without the enforced 24fps staccato.

[RossyG]

I saw it in 1999 and really liked it. It was very popular and much talked about in positive terms at the time, but the backlash was quick and severe and that seems to be the general consensus now.

I’m looking forward to seeing it again to see if I still agree with my opinion from (eek!) 25 years ago.

(Incidentally I feel I must protest. How can this, The Matrix, The Mummy, Run Lola Run and The Phantom Menace be quarter of a century old. It’s surely a crime against nature and reason. I shall write a letter to The Times forthwith to complain.)

[JoelGoodsen]

Although easy to see why some people may not like it, I was 12 years old when it was released and the marketing/hype that made out it was real, was absolutely genius. I remember renting the tape and being petrified. All my friends at school were talking about it etc. Wonderful times.

That alone makes me love it.

[the13thman]

Originally Posted by JoelGoodsen

Although easy to see why some people may not like it, I was 12 years old when it was released and the marketing/hype that made out it was real, was absolutely genius. I remember renting the tape and being petrified. All my friends at school were talking about it etc. Wonderful times.

That alone makes me love it.

The music and films you enjoy in your teenage years and into your 20s will stick with you forever.

[WorkShed]

Originally Posted by JoelGoodsen

Although easy to see why some people may not like it, I was 12 years old when it was released and the marketing/hype that made out it was real, was absolutely genius. I remember renting the tape and being petrified. All my friends at school were talking about it etc. Wonderful times.

That alone makes me love it.

Oh yeah! The first time that online marketing was used in such a way. 1999 was WILD. The directors also made that "Curse of the Blair Witch" hour-long promotional documentary that went to TV around the time of the movie, which hyped it even more. Just perfect synchronization of marketing efforts.

[SchoolOfHardbox]

Originally Posted by WorkShed

Oh yeah! The first time that online marketing was used in such a way. 1999 was WILD. The directors also made that "Curse of the Blair Witch" hour-long promotional documentary that went to TV around the time of the movie, which hyped it even more. Just perfect synchronization of marketing efforts.

Even Scooby Doo did a tie-in thing despite this film not being for children at all

[JackForrester]

Yeah, BWP is one of the "you had to be there" to understand what the fuss is about.
But I feel there was a lot more hate towards the film at the time than I see these days. It wasn't a film made for the big masses so a lot of people felt betrayed when the film that was supposed to be the most terrifying experience ever had no guts, jump scares or even the witch. All my friends hated it with a passion. I loved it from day 1. Went to see it opening day, first showing. Had the theater almost to myself. Took me a while to stand up after the lights went on.

[Kyle15]

Got a reply from Second Sight today! Turns out the Festival cut is longer than the theatrical cut by a few minutes instead of shorter.

[JackForrester]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

Got a reply from Second Sight today! Turns out the Festival cut is longer than the theatrical cut by a few minutes instead of shorter.

And it keeps getting better.
Muchas gracias señor

[Monkeybeard]

I think I'm looking forward to this release more than any other this year. Horror is probably my favourite genre and I don't scare easily at all. When I first saw Blair Witch it shook me up a lot. Superb film!

[Ben_C]

Originally Posted by JackForrester

Yeah, BWP is one of the "you had to be there" to understand what the fuss is about.
But I feel there was a lot more hate towards the film at the time than I see these days. It wasn't a film made for the big masses so a lot of people felt betrayed when the film that was supposed to be the most terrifying experience ever had no guts, jump scares or even the witch. All my friends hated it with a passion. I loved it from day 1. Went to see it opening day, first showing. Had the theater almost to myself. Took me a while to stand up after the lights went on.

When I first went to see it at my local I couldn’t get in - it was completely sold out, so I think I had to go back the following day. The hype was real.
I loved it back then and still love it today, and the whole idea that you don’t actually see anything is why it is so scary - you conjure ideas in your mind as to what could be out there or what the witch is like. No jump scare BS, no gore, just atmosphere and a fairly disorientating sense of dread. Simple but effective.

[side__on]

Curse of the Blair Witch is just as good as the main film,dude that plays Rustin Parr really sells the horror.

[Informer of Deer]

Originally Posted by side__on

Curse of the Blair Witch is just as good as the main film,dude that plays Rustin Parr really sells the horror.

It's pretty good and part of the experience.
There's also:

Sticks and Stones - An Exploration of the Blair Witch Legend
The Massacre of the Burkittsville 7 - The Blair Witch Legacy
Shadow of the Blair Witch

I don't know if they've ever been edited outside of VHS though.

[Kyle15]

I watched BWP for the first time when it aired on TV. I can't remember which channel but it was at least early 2000. It felt so real to me and still does! That ending came out of nowhere and I loved it. My dad was all like "that's it?? where's the witch???" and I just kept thinking about it. Yeah, where IS the witch? I was 9 at the time. Hasn't lost any of its power.

[CouncilSpectre]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

That ending came out of nowhere and I loved it.

I think the great thing about the ending is that you see it coming a fraction of a second before it plays out on screen, and somehow that's even more unnerving!

[OgamiittoMcJ]

I caved in and ordered Ltd fancy pants edition from HMV
was going to just get standard
but figured I'll be able to get my money back & sell it on, if I don't like books & just get standard at later date

[ste71]

I saw this at the cinema in 1999 I wasn't that impressed however my opinion has changed over the years. The tension just builds throughout and the ending still makes the hair on the back of neck stand up. I can't wait to see this how it was meant to.

[JackForrester]

Originally Posted by Kyle15

I was 9 at the time

9?? Honey you're such a puppy.

[JackForrester]

Originally Posted by ste71

and the ending still makes the hair on the back of neck stand up.

That and Josh's screams in the middle of the night, oh boy. Heather's monologue was a hard sit too.