Superstition (1982)

User Rating:

5.5/10   

Director:

James W. Roberson

Writers:

Bret Thompson Plate (story)
Michael O. Sajbel (story)

Release Date:

January 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

You'll believe it just before you die...

Plot:

A witch put to death in 1692 swears vengeance on her persecutors and returns to the present day to punish their descendants.

Plot Keywords:

Pond | Death | Blood | Psychotronic | Witchcraft

Cast

James Houghton	...	Rev. David Thompson
Albert Salmi	...	Inspector Sturgess
Lynn Carlin	...	Melinda Leahy
Larry Pennell	...	George Leahy
Jacquelyn Hyde	...	Elvira Sharack
Robert Symonds	...	Pike
Heidi Bohay	...	Ann Leahy
Maylo McCaslin	...	Sheryl Leahy
Carole Goldman	...	Elondra
Stacy Keach Sr.	...	Rev. Maier
Kim Marie	...	Mary
Billy Jayne	...	Justin Leahy (as Billy Jacoby)
Johnny Doran	...	Charlie
Bennett Liss	...	Arty
Joshua Cadman	...	Arlen (as Josh Cadman)

Also Known As:

The Witch (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

Australia:86 min | Netherlands:85 min | USA:85 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:18 (uncut DVD version) | Italy:VM14 | Australia:R | Finland:K-16 (video re-release) | Norway:(Banned) | USA:Unrated | Iceland:(Banned)

Company:

Carolco Entertainment

Trivia:

The film was listed on Greater Manchester Police's list of films subject to seizure during the UK video nasty scare of the 1980's. It was later released fully uncut in 1986 (as "The Witch") on the Stablecane label, and under its original title in 2005 by Momentum.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When the father is trying to escape the witch, he looks in to a mirror, and you can see the cameraman's face moments before the mirror explodes.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Fright Show (1985)

Director influenced by Argento?

After watching the opening 10 minutes of this film I was happy to see the director wasn't afraid to "show it all" in the area of gore. Stylistically, I would really be surprised if the director and/or cinematographer wasn't influenced by Dario Argento. Some of the music reminded me of a slight take on what Goblin did for Argento films- but no where near as well of course. The good thing about mimicking a maestro such as Argento is that you have good taste in film making. The bad thing is...not many can "do Argento" like Argento. So many will walk away thinking it is a cheap ripoff.

For those not familiar with Argento's work, you should find this to be a refreshing take on the horror genre in the 80s time period. If you are like me, I enjoy "grade Z" movies more then big budget films if they entertain me. It is about entertainment. This film entertained me. There were even a few times that I actually felt a little creepy tension- something that doesn't usually happen with lower budget flicks.

If you are looking for big budget romps, then keep on renting movies on the "new rental wall" at Blockbuster. Otherwise, you may have some fun with this one.