Review by Peter Syslo
VIRGIN WITCH (1972 UK ) is a new release from the continually provocative Salvation Films/Redemption USA (www.salvation-films.com). I really like this company, because they always offer interesting and obscure selections, which otherwise, I would never be exposed to; I am always eager to watch their DVDs and I have to say that they are always high quality audio and video (16:9 widescreen) transfers. VIRGIN WITCH is another example of Salvation's high standard for quality and the film is really a great selection. I really did enjoy this film; it is exploitative, dirty, mysterious, and it does have that nostalgic feel of those occult/Satan films of the late 1960s-1970s. A f unny detail that I noticed is that the film is the most literally titled picture that I know of – it is exactly about a virgin and about witches.
VIRGIN WITCH is directed by Ray Austin and the film stars Ann Michelle, Vicki Michelle, Keith Buckley, Patricia Haines, James Chase, Paula Wright, Christopher Strain, Esme Smythe, Garth Watkins, Neil Hallett, Helen Downing, Peter Halliday, Maria Coyne, and Prudence Drage.
The film is about two young women (Ann & Vicki Michelle) who are trying to break into the modeling world. After seeing an advertisement, they meet up with a mysterious modeling agent (Haines) who, coincidentally, happens to be a witch and a lesbian. This agent convinces the two young women to travel to a woodland mansion, where a photo shoot with a renowned photographer is taking place. However, the two find that there is a deep dark secret within the mansion – the owner of the mansion, the agent, and several others are actually a coven of witches! As the story plays out, we find out the true nature of the coven and the true nature of the two women, when the ceremonial rights are conducted.
I had a good time watching VIRGIN WITCH; it was well-paced, it was interesting, and it was definitely erotic. While I’m on the topic, I just want to state that the Michelle sisters are two of the most beautiful women that I have ever seen in a horror film, and you do see them in their entirety, my friends! This film does not disappoint in that department and actually the nudity/eroticism begins in the first few minutes of the picture and it is pretty steady throughout (right up through the final scene). The film was really a great mix of eroticism and horror and it is what you would expect in a film about witchcraft and the need for a virginal offering – let’s be honest, you expect a lot of nudity and sex. VIRGIN WITCH fulfills those expectations and goes a step beyond by giving you an inte resting story.
Aside from the female aspect, the film simply looked beautiful; the set design created the perfect atmosphere for the story and the “nature” scenes added a playful sexuality to it. The acting, overall, was pretty good and was on par with similar films from this sub-genre and era. The Michelle sisters definitely gave the best performances in the picture – one played an innocent virgin and the other played a sinister, ambitious, and newly-powerful witch. Patricia Haines also gave a strong (and erotic) performance as the shifty modeling agent/witch who took a shine to the two young women and unknowingly unleashed a dangerous/formidable power. All in all, the film was well-done and it kept me very entertained, throughout (no double entendre implied).
Cutting to the chase: VIRGIN WITCH is a pretty good film which definitely satisfies the taste for erotic horror. Speaking of the horror element, there is not really any blood in the film; the horror mainly centers around the occult aspect and the cautionary tale of using one’s special powers in a responsible manner – much like CARRIE. My only criticism of the film is that the “boyfriend” of the virgin was a little unnecessary. I see how he was semi-essential to the ending of the film, but his character really did not add anything to the story – maybe, it would have been a more interesting twist if the photographer was involved in the ending. Any way you look at it, though, the film accomplished what it set out to do - it was exploitative, unashamed, and spicy. If you like occult-based horror, erotic horror, or British exploitation films, then you will probably enjoy VIRGIN WITCH. I give it an 8/10.