SUPERSTITION (1982) Dir: James W.Roberson

It's now October which mean Halloween is approaching so as this is the month of horror, we kick off October with a look at the 1982 horror 'classic', Superstition, this review comes courtesy of Richard Alan Long and it's an interesting look at an almost forgotten horror flick. Check out Richard's review after the jump...

Written By Richard Alan Long

I first saw the movie back when The Evil Dead was released. I watched it with my mum, something that often happened on a weekend whilst my dad was at the pub. I have many memories of her and those winter nights, we’d watch horror movies alongside the latest episodes of Cheers.

Sometimes when I watch these old horror movies it makes me feel closer to her. However, while some movies I’ve remembered with rose tinted spectacles like Rosemary’s Baby and Exorcist 2, Superstition is still as great today as it was back when it was released.

When released Superstition was not listed on DDP legendary video nasties list in the UK but prior to the list video shop owners were threatened and in some cases their copies confiscated for fear it would fit the bill of what would be deemed offensive according to the not then released Video Recordings Act 1984.

Released pre-cert on the VTC label in the early 1980s Superstition eventually got a blink and you’ll miss it cinema release in 1984 under the title ‘The Witch’. It was then re-released by Stablecane on video, and then after over a decade by Momentum on DVD. Sadly though it’s been discontinued and is going for some stupid prices on Amazon. If anyone from Arrow Video is reading this, perhaps it needs the treatment it deserves.

I’m ranting...okay on with the review...

When Rev David Thompson moves into a cursed house with other families in a remote area of the country he soon discovers the mysteries surrounding the nearby pond. After several deaths he learns a witch was put to death by drowning in the pond. Making the silly decision to drain the pond, the crucifix which was in the pond and locking the witch within it is brought out allowing the Witch to roam around in the daytime and kill anyone that comes near her once favourite dwellings.

Here we have the foundations to a movie that plays out like a theme park ride. Throw in a ‘cop on the edge’ character along with wise old woman and Quasimodo witch apologist and we have a wonderful and scary movie with slasher elements, haunted house moments and a cheeky Exorcist rip off that works really well.

Set pieces work well and mood and atmosphere are intense leaving you nervous and on edge due to the film being devoid of any comic value and darkly disturbing in that the witch kills without prejudice, slaughtering Priests, men, women and children (not on screen).

For some reason however when any action or scares take place the musical score is so loud it drowns out dialogue and gives the scenes a frenzied and sometimes dated feel. Weirdly the main theme which is the Dies Irae (theme from the Shining) speeded up with bass and synth played over the top. Also noted must be the inventive death pieces which include death by buzz saw, window chopping, and microwave...yes microwave.

There are some flat characters in the movie too, but no one said it was going to be ‘Don’t Look Now’ yet there is some great acting by lead James Houghton.

Main scares in this movie come from the Witch. In flashback scenes she’s possessed and demonic voiced to great effect but just as effective is her cloaked appearance in the present day, silhouetted and always in darkness all we get is her awful and deeply disturbing cackling laugh which still sends shivers up my back.

I personally would have liked there to have been a cluster of straight to video sequels developing the Witch’s back story. She would have made a refreshing addition to horror icons already overcrowded by all men maniacs.

However for all its warts, I truly love this movie. It works so well due to James W. Roberson keeping the mood tense regardless of some high end melodrama. For all its faults and low budget confinements Superstition is a wonderful movie, caringly crafted in mood and pace which shouldn't be forgotten.