You’ll believe it just before you die…
Directed by James W. Roberson
Reviewed by Deep Red
Although not one of the official 72 video nasties of the 80s, Superstition nonetheless had it’s collar felt and disappeared from the shelves in the video shop along with a host of other great titles that never made the actual list. However, it was so popular on video it became one of the few films to get a theatrical release after appearing on video, under the title The Witch in 1984.
Arty (Bennett Liss) and Charlie (Johnny Doran) spook a parking couple for a joke and then run into trouble in an empty house, a property belonging to the church. A great start with an Argento-esque soundtrack to boot. Then we meet Reverend David Thompson (James Houghton) and Reverend Henry Maier (Stacy Keach Sr.) who visit the house ahead of the new tenants, Reverend George Leahy (Larry Pennell) and his family. Reverend Maier runs into a spot of trouble himself, with a circular saw!
Reverend Leahy, his wife Melinda (Lynn Carlin), two daughters, Ann (Heidi Bohay) and Sheryl (Maylo McCaslin), and his son Justin (Billy Jayne) move in. Reverend Thomas investigates the history of the property and in flashback we see witchhunter Andrew Pike (Robert Symonds) try and execute a witch, Elondra (Carole Goldman), in 1692, sentencing her to drown in the pond, Black Pond, that is behind the house. Elondra wants revenge.
This is a great film. There are plenty of deaths delivered with true 80s panache and the witch is a cool antagonist complete with outrageous cackle. I don’t think this film tries to be anything other than pure entertaining horror and that’s exactly what it is. Why it was ever seized by the police is beyond ludicrous though, it’s not that disturbing or anything. I can imagine them kicking down the video shop door, marching up to the shelf and seizing it with a look of real determination. I bet they took it home and watched it actually. Well, if they did, they would’ve had a good night. Don’t forget about this one. It’s a classic really, 80s through and through and once again, that soundtrack!
The special effects are excellent, you know, for the time, still great today, and the filmmakers clearly weren’t afraid of letting loose with what they had. I think that’s what I really like about it, they made the best horror film they could and didn’t hold back where lesser filmmakers probably would have. So, what they made is still worth a watch. It’s not the goriest film I’ve ever seen, it’s not the most harrowing and all that, it does have atmosphere, it does have cool scenes and it’s fun. Fans of 80s horror will get the vibe I imagine, definitely. Good ending. Perfick.
I think this needs releasing on Blu-ray. It’d just enhance what’s already very good, few extras too. Shit, I’d buy it! Pleasure. Superstition aka The Witch, check it out!
Also stars Albert Salmi as Inspector Sturgess, Jacquelyn Hyde as Elvira Sharack, Joshua Cadman as Arlen and Kim Marie as Mary.
