Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Superstition Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 3, 2019

1982’s “Superstition” (also released under the title, “The Witch”) heads into some bizarre directions with its tale of a household haunting. The screenplay (credited to Galen Thompson) seems to be aiming for simplicity, using an appreciation for formula to set-up a showdown between humans and a particularly nasty witch, finding a way to tap into industry trends of the day as chills turn into gore, giving the production a slasher-style tilt. During the ride, the material takes some oddball detours with ill-defined characters and limited sleuthing, but the primary push of the macabre is handled capably by director James W. Roberson, who strives to delivering the basics of genre entertainment when overall cinematic construction is faulty. “Superstition” is engaging, mostly due to its velocity and graphic content, with Roberson wisely inching away from logic as the material takes on more personalities than it can handle. Time periods as well.

Rev. Thompson (James Houghton) has arrived to manage parish issues, with an abandoned house a primary concern for the church, which has dealt with multiple deaths on the property. Thompson doesn’t believe in such evil, hoping to bring in some cash by renting out the home, with George (Larry Penhall) and his family looking for a fresh start, eagerly taking possession of the dwelling. Once tasked with groundskeeping duty, Elvira (Jacquelyn Hyde) remains in a guest house, warning Thompson about the history of a nearby pond, which is a popular place for teen mischief. Elvira’s son, Arlen (Joshua Cadman), is mentally ill and dangerous, giving Thompson reason to believe the unhinged young man is the source of so many problems. However, such an answer doesn’t satisfy Inspector Sturgess (Albert Salmi), who remains close by, soon springing into action when members of George’s family disappear, commencing a search of the house that exposes everyone to the wrath of witch Elondra.

“Superstition” means business, as examined in the feature’s opening sequence, which explores foolish shenanigans from two teens looking to interrupt a make-out session between lovers trying to get something going near the haunted house. The boys pull a prank, but they’re easily overwhelmed by Elondra’s supernatural force, with the witch cutting one kid in half while he tries to escape from a window, while the other finds an unusual end inside of a microwave. Roberson doesn’t throttle horrific sights, delivering a full serving of blood and guts before the story even commences, announcing that “Superstition” isn’t going to fool around when managing the deaths of innocents.

The story of “Superstition” is a bit messy, with initial haunted house elements clouded by the arrival of Arlen, a beastly young man with major people issues. There’s also strangeness with Mary, a young girl in white who makes appearances around the property. In fact, there are a lot of weirdos hanging around the building and pond, with Elvira the most communicative, sharing the story of Elondra with Thompson, who slowly comes around to the reality of a witch in the walls. There are flashbacks to troubles in 1692, but “Superstition” largely remains in the 1980s, watching the evil entity gradually get rid of family members, forcing Sturgess into investigative mode. Interestingly, the cop is actually quite observant, working to figure out what’s going on. In a screenplay that’s heavy with cliches, it’s actually refreshing to see a law enforcement officer in a horror picture not act like a complete boob.

Superstition Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Offering a fresh scan for its Blu-ray debut, "Superstition" arrives with an AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. The viewing experience is clear, with terrific detail to help the horror aspects of the feature, finding gore zone visits appealingly textured and grisly. Clothing retains professional crispness and exploitative sheerness, and facial particulars are displayed with sharpness, doing well with a character like Elvira, whose face is a road map of age and pain. Colors are alert and communicative, with deep greenery to support outdoor adventures in the rural setting. Costuming provides varied hues as flashy swimwear is introduced, and bloodshed retains a deep red. Skintones are natural. Delineation remains comfortable, making sense of shadowy encounters around the house. Grain is fine and filmic. Source displays some stretches of damage, with scratches and speckling common, along with subtle shifts in color when different elements are utilized.

Superstition Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix secures the horror mood of "Superstition," offering clean dialogue exchanges which dip down to a few hushed conversations and rise with more excitable reactions to terrible things occurring the house and around the property. Silence for suspenseful tours is preserved, adding to tension. Scoring is appealing, with encouraging instrumentation, delivering support and steady volume. Sound effects are capable, accentuating violent situations.

Superstition Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Lake of Fire" (30:08, HD) is an interview with James Houghton, who's quick to share his history with the entertainment industry, raised on sets by his father, Buck Houghton, producer of "The Twilight Zone." Houghton recalls his introduction to acting, developing childhood experience into a career on soap operas. The interviewee describes his relationship with his father and his early transition to film, cast in 1979's "More American Graffiti." The saga of "Superstition" soon takes over, with Houghton detailing his casting, locations, co-stars, and his experience with director James W. Robinson. Special effects are singled out, along with the technical challenges of the shoot. Houghton doesn't have many answers when it comes to questions about the troubled release of "Superstition," but he retains a healthy attitude about the professional experience, closing with comments concerning the movie's enduring legacy.

• "That Crazy Witchcraft" (23:56, HD) is a conversation with Robinson, who explores his early endeavors in the film business, working as a cinematographer before receiving his own opportunity to direct with 1980's no-budget adventure, "The Legend of Alfred Packer." Robinson examines his move to Los Angeles and the development of "Superstition," where he put time and effort into production prep, impressing the producers. There's an overview of actors and locations, but most interesting is a summary of what was added to the feature, highlighting some of the stranger elements stitched to "Superstition" to beef up its fear factor. Stunts are celebrated and final thoughts are shared, finding Robinson a bit stunned with the film's cult appreciation, but confident that effort was put into the shoot, working to make a proper chiller that would eventually experience a random release of rumored success.

• T.V. Spot (:31, SD) is offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:54, SD) is included.

Superstition Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Superstition" doesn't win with drama, but there's a surprising amount of violence in the picture, most of it vivid. One character is offed via a grape press located in a wine cellar, while another is hit in the chest with a saw blade while standing near a construction project, with the spinning steel working its way through bone and flesh. It's absurd, but Roberson offers fun special effects and editorial speed, and the movie as a whole gets better as it goes, finally identifying Elondra's menace and Thompson's only effective weapon against such an enemy. "Superstition" is a capable distraction, doing better with nonsense than storytelling, also boasting performances from actors working very hard to believe everything they're saying. Such commitment always helps, presenting the helmer with thespian focus to inspire a compelling haunting.