The Witches Blu-ray Review

Scream Factory’s Blu-ray presentation of The Witches is a commendable effort, leveraging the same high-quality master used by Studio Canal in the UK, and others. The film is encoded with MPEG-4 AVC on a BD-50 disc, maintaining the original screen ratio of 1.66:1. Viewers will notice thin black bars on the sides, standard for this framing format. The video bitrate averages 34,000 kbps, ensuring an impressive and robust transfer. The color reproduction is particularly noteworthy; greens appear lush, while pinks, reds, and bright colors are precise and vibrant. Scenes showcasing Kay Walsh reveal crisp makeup and detailed facial features. Despite some scattered grain patterns during dissolves and transitions, the grain is more evident and organic here than in other releases, providing a pleasing texture. The main feature includes twelve well-defined scene selections.

The HD transfer retains exceptional detail and clarity. The depth of field is robust, enhancing the immersive experience with smooth and confident spacing and movements. Exterior shots stand out with strong visual impact, thanks to consistent black levels that ensure deep, rich shadows without significant crushing or detail loss. Despite the film's age, minimal instances of age-related artifacts are observed, primarily in the pre-credits prologue. Skin tones remain natural throughout, with no flickering issues, bringing out a remarkable level of detail—facial makeup, lip texture, freckles, and blemishes are clearly visible, enhancing viewer engagement.

Overall, Scream Factory’s transfer presents a clean and vibrant image that surpasses previous DVD versions and is likely the best presentation this movie has had on home video. With its excellent color saturation, balanced grain retention, and crisp high-definition presentation, this Blu-ray release will undoubtedly satisfy enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray release of "The Witches" features a robust DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono track, operating at 1567 kbps and 24-bit. This presentation ensures high fidelity, with a solid master that exhibits no discernible hiss or dropouts. Dialogue delivered by the British actors is consistently clean and intelligible, while Richard Rodney Bennett’s immersive score is finely spaced along the front channels. The track offers a balanced mix, although occasionally allowing the score to take center stage, adding depth to the film’s audio landscape. Optional English SDH subtitles are also available.

The original mono soundtrack gains a fresh lease of life with this release utilizing DTS-HD Master Audio technology. Dialogue and sound effects are both strong and clear, benefiting from an audio track largely devoid of age-related artifacts such as crackling, popping, hissing, and distortion. The score's authenticity remains intact, delivering great fidelity and ambiance, making this version the best-sounding home video release to date. Though retaining its analog roots, the audio reproduction is impressive, providing clear and crisp vocals with only occasional muffling indicative of its 1966 origins.

The Blu-ray release of "The Witches" includes an impressive array of extras that will appeal to both horror aficionados and those interested in film history. The standout is the audio commentary by filmmaker and historian Ted Newsom, renowned for his expertise in horror and sci-fi genres. His insightful and occasionally sardonic commentary covers not only the movie’s production and screenplay weaknesses but also delves into the careers of key cast members, with particular attention to Joan Fontaine. Complementing this is the featurette "Hammer Glamour," a 44-minute documentary spotlighting the iconic women of Hammer Horror, featuring interviews with actresses like Martine Beswicke, Vera Day, and Caroline Munro. Additional extras include promotional material like trailers, TV spots, and a comprehensive still gallery, making this a rich trove for collectors and enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Audio Commentary with Filmmaker/Historian Ted Newsom: Informative and witty commentary on the film's production and cast.
• Hammer Glamour: Featurette on the iconic women of Hammer Horror with insightful interviews.
• U.S. Trailer THE DEVIL'S OWN: Official trailer for the Hammer film.
• Double Feature Trailer PREHISTORIC WOMEN and THE DEVIL'S OWN: Two TV spots paired for theater releases in 1966 and 1967.
• Still Gallery: A collection of 58 production and promotional stills.

"The Witches," also known by its alternate title "The Devil's Own," is a distinct departure from Hammer Films' typical offerings, steering towards a slow-burn thriller with supernatural elements set in a quaint English village. Joan Fontaine stars convincingly as Gwen Mayfield, a teacher traumatized by an attack in Africa, who tries to find solace in her new role at the Heddaby School. However, the village’s tranquil façade soon crumbles as Gwen encounters increasingly sinister events involving witchcraft, leading her to confront unsettling truths that threaten both her stability and the safety of her students.

Director Cyril Frankel crafts the narrative with deliberate pacing, augmented by Arthur Grant's evocative cinematography which captures the eeriness of the English countryside. This atmospheric setting, coupled with Frankel’s adept tension-building, compensates for a middle act that lags due to a distracting amnesia subplot. Despite this lapse, the film recovers with unsettling imagery and ritualistic motifs that linger. Although it doesn't achieve the chilling heights of Hammer's best works or other cinematic portrayals of witchcraft, its aesthetics and idiosyncrasies make it a compelling watch.

Fontaine delivers a solid performance in her final screen role, bolstered by an able cast including Kay Walsh and Alec McCowen. The narrative thrives on the suspicion and nuance brought forth by these strong character portrayals, maintaining an engaging undercurrent of mystery and horror. Despite Fox's poor distribution leading to limited audience reach, "The Witches" stands out. For those who savor atmospheric thrillers with gothic and supernatural overtones, it offers a satisfying blend of suspense and subtle horror.

The Witches benefits from a strong and meticulous restoration effort by Scream Factory, marking its first Blu-ray release in the U.S. The 2K transfer showcases the film with impressive clarity, offering a visual quality that surpasses previous home video incarnations. The lossless monaural audio track delivers crisp sound, aligning well with the era's auditory expectations. Notable technical enhancements elevate the viewing experience significantly, making it a standout in the Hammer Horror catalog.

The special features are robust, including a new commentary from film historian Ted Newsom and a comprehensive 45-minute featurette spotlighting several of Hammer's iconic actresses. These additions offer rich context and enhance the archival value of the release. The supplementary materials also include some ancillary content that deepens the appreciation for both the film and its place within Hammer's horror oeuvre.

In conclusion, The Witches represents Joan Fontaine’s final on-screen performance, where she impressively maintains her glamorous presence. Scream Factory has assembled a definitive version of this underrated chiller, making it an essential acquisition for Hammer fans and horror enthusiasts alike. The careful blend of high-quality presentation and enriching bonus content merits a solid recommendation.