The "Mark of the Witch" (1970) is a horror film directed by Tom Moore. The movie is centered around a young woman named Jill (played by Anitra Walsh) who starts experiencing strange occurrences, leading her to believe that she might be possessed by a witch. The plot follows Jill as she attends college and becomes involved in a coven of witches. As she becomes more entangled in their practices, she begins to display supernatural powers. However, it is unclear whether these powers are a result of possession by a witch or if they are simply a product of her own troubled psyche. Throughout the film, Jill's friends and family become increasingly concerned as her behavior becomes more erratic and dangerous.
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.
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. Alas we must settle for thick red 70s blood, laughable dialogues, weird camera angles and one brief but worthy topless moment provided by the lovely Anitra Walsh.
Throughout the film, Jill's friends and family become increasingly concerned as her behavior becomes more erratic and dangerous. They seek out the help of a psychologist named Dr. Barnes (played by Bob Klein) who tries to uncover the truth behind Jill's experiences.
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.
A witch movie set in the groovy late-Sixties, with a bunch of awe-shucks college kids, putting aside their beach blankets for a night to muck around with witchcraft.
As the movie progresses, the line between reality and fantasy becomes blurred, leaving the audience to question what is truly happening to Jill. The film features eerie dream sequences, unsettling visuals, and a suspenseful soundtrack that adds to the overall atmosphere of mystery and fear. "Mark of the Witch" was released during a time when horror films, particularly those involving witchcraft and the supernatural, were gaining popularity. It draws on themes of possession, witchcraft, and psychological horror, making it a notable entry in the horror genre of the 1970s. Although "Mark of the Witch" is not as well-known as other horror films of its time, it has developed a cult following over the years. It is praised for its haunting atmosphere, unique storytelling style, and the standout performance by Anitra Walsh as Jill. Overall, "Mark of the Witch" is a chilling and atmospheric film that combines elements of possession, witchcraft, and psychological horror. It provides a suspenseful and ambiguous viewing experience that leaves the audience questioning what is real and what is mere illusion..
Reviews for "The Mark of the qitch 1970 Aesthetic: How to Incorporate the Style Today"
1. John - 1 star
This movie was a complete waste of time. The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence. The acting was subpar and the dialogue felt forced. The special effects were laughably bad and took away from the overall viewing experience. I would not recommend this movie to anyone seeking quality entertainment.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Mark of the Witch 1970" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was sluggish and the plot was convoluted. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The cinematography was uninspiring and added nothing to the film. Overall, I was disappointed by this movie and wished I had spent my time on something more fulfilling.
3. Robert - 1 star
I found "Mark of the Witch 1970" to be a tedious and unengaging movie. The story lacked originality and failed to capture my interest. The acting was wooden and unconvincing, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. The climax was predictable and underwhelming. I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for a thrilling or thought-provoking experience.
4. Emily - 2 stars
"Mark of the Witch 1970" had potential, but it ultimately fell short. The pacing throughout the movie was inconsistent and left me feeling bored at times. The characters were poorly developed, making it difficult to invest in their struggles. Additionally, the film's attempts at scares and suspense were predictable and failed to deliver any real fright. I was left disappointed by this lackluster horror film.
5. Michael - 1 star
I regret watching "Mark of the Witch 1970." The plot was muddled and confusing, with a ton of unnecessary subplots. The dialogue was stilted and lacked authenticity. The acting was subpar, with no standout performances. The film relied heavily on cheap jump scares instead of building genuine tension. Overall, it was a forgettable and disappointing viewing experience.