WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Burn Witch Burn
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 17 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Janet Blair, Peter Wyngarde, Margaret Johnston.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3.5
Sound Rating: 2
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals
Exclusive to this LaserDisc release is a running commentary by screenwriter Richard Matheson and the original British title sequence. Matheson talks of writing the script and various aspects of production.

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Orion Home Video
(Catalog Number): ID3079OR
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Retail Price): $$39.99
(Running Time In Minutes): 89
(Color Type): Black & White
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1962
(LD Release Date): 10/1/95
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Sidney Hayers
(Screenplay/Written By): Richard Matheson & Charles Beaumont
(Story): NA
(Music): William Alwyn
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Jack Shampan
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Ralph Sheldon
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): NA
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Albert Fennel

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.75:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.75:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital):
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Burn, Witch, Burn was made in England in 1961 as Night Of The Eagle, this thriller about jealous University campus wives who use black magic to advance their husbands’ careers, has achieved cult status. Professor Norman Taylor (Peter Wyngarde) has dispelled any belief in witchcraft or the supernatural during a routine class lecture. However, his wife Tansy (Janet Blair) has encountered a mind-expanding experience in Jamaica where she encountered a witch doctor who brought the dead back to life. Playing on voodoo religious themes, the film casts a modern twist of terror and black magic when Professor Taylor’s discovery of his wife’s convictions serves as the catalyst for the plot.

LaserDisc Picture:
The black and white picture is matted in the original 1.75:1 aspect ratio. Gray scale is excellent and images are sharp and detailed with good contrast. Overall the picture is solid, except for a few minor incidents of wear and artifacts.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound is undistinguished and compressed mono.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
(Aggressive System Surround):
(Intense 25Hz Bass):
(Deep Bass Challenging):
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield):
(Aggressive Split Surround):
(Center Back Surround Imaging):
(Directionalized Dialogue):
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: