Burn, Witch, Burn Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Burn, Witch, Burn Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 15, 2015

1962’s “Burn, Witch, Burn” is an unusual combination of a witchcraft thriller and a workplace drama, with both sides of the story managing to generate all the proper pressure the production needs to build tension. Wonderfully performed and inventively made, “Burn, Witch, Burn” (a.k.a. “Night of the Eagle”) offers quite a compelling commotion, with style and bursts of anarchy welcome in a tale that’s always on the prowl for suspense.

“Burn, Witch, Burn” sets the mood with an opening incantation from Paul Frees, who warns the gathered audience that viewership may cost them dearly if they don’t participate in group protection. This William Castle-style touch launches the film on a note of alarm, watching the production play psychological games to best unsettle ticket buyers. Thankfully, there’s something to embrace beyond a crude gimmick, with professional skeptic Norman (Peter Wyngarde) pushed into desperation when wife Tansy (Janet Blair) is forced to sever her ties to black magic, creating all kinds of life-threatening situations in their lives. The spookiness carries over to his day job as a college professor, and the picture actually offers a decent take on office politics, using satanic influence to goose what’s already a compelling story about professional jealousy.

Burn, Witch, Burn Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation brings welcome clarity to the viewing experience, finding encouraging detail on expressive close-ups and macabre ornamentation, while textures emerge on costumes and campus decoration. Cinematographic balance is secured, and delineation is never a problem, communicating evening events with definition. Print has some issues with chemical burns, scratches, and speckling, but nothing is distracting.

Burn, Witch, Burn Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix does struggle a bit with shrillness, finding more excitable scenes hard on the ears. The track is also on the quieter side, necessitating a little volume lift to hit reasonable levels of engagement. Dialogue exchanges are secure, with crisp dramatics that aren't chained down by hiss issues. Scoring is supportive and boisterous when called into action, balanced with performances.

Burn, Witch, Burn Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer Richard Matheson.

• Interview with Peter Wyngarde (24:26, HD) covers the basics with care, exploring his experience with "Burn, Witch, Burn," including time with co-stars and his professional history. The actor also has a nice anecdote about the picture's disastrous premiere and its eventual ascent in cult film appreciation. Additional screen achievements are covered, including Wyngarde's masterful turn as the gold-masked, scarf-sniffing Klytus in "Flash Gordon."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:28, HD) has been included.

Burn, Witch, Burn Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Burn, Witch, Burn" is sharply paced and edited, working to whip up a frenzy worthy of demonic influence. Missing pronounced horror mechanics, the picture is best as thriller, piling on misfortune and paranoia, building to a satisfying climax. Helping the feature along are superb performances from the leads, with Blair successfully communicating the hysteria of witchcraft without losing her screen presence. She's enthusiastic, and "Burn, Witch, Burn" returns the favor by becoming wildly entertaining as it unfolds, working itself up into an agreeable, sinister fury.