Reviews

The Witchcraft series is one of the longest running film series of all-time. Being an erotic-horror series, it would be fairly easy to make these film standalone with only the same theme. Surprisingly, the series actually does have a central reoccurring character - Will Spanner, an attorney who happened to have been born into a family of witchcraft. Beginning with Witchcraft 2, Will became the series central character, and for three films in a row, was even played by the same actor.

However, Will isn't so much as even mentioned in this entry. In fact, the entire storyline from the previous seven films has been wiped out.

Filmed over a span of just ten days in 1994, Salem's Ghost ended up becoming an entry of the Witchcraft series as a result of poor performance. Rumors of a possible spin-off series based around Salem's Ghost had been planned, but never brought to life.

The film, which is a semi-remake of the original Witchcraft, revolves around a young couple moving into a centuries-old mansion in Salem. From the start, however, it's apparent that something is not normal in their new home. Sonny, the husband, has bizarre visions that lead him down to a hidden room in their basement. This room holds the spirit of an evil warlock who was buried under the house. When their bumbling neighbor steals a cross from the tomb, the warlock is unleashed, and begins a violent reign of terrorizing Sonny's wife.

For a movie shot in just ten days, Witchcraft VIII: Salem's Ghost is quite good. Being an erotic horror film, there of course are long sex scenes, but they're well shot and interesting. The acting for the most part is quite good, with Jack Van Landingham giving quite an over-the-top performance as Simon Winfrough, the warlock. Special effects are below standard, but they're used sparingly, and it doesn't become a problem. Those with a sharp eye may spot the Stockton house from the original movie located across the street from the Dunaway house.

"Witchcraft" is a relatively unknown underground horror flick. Though the film has been received extremely bad reviews, it managed to spawn a total of twelve sequels (to date, at least).

The plot of the film is similar to the earlier "Rosemary's Baby". Grace Churchill has given birth to her first child, when her husband temporarily moves them in with his mother. While staying in her mother-in-laws creepy, old mansion, Grace begins experiencing bizarre incidents that lead her to believe her new family isn't what they seem.

Honestly, I'm not sure why this movie got such bad reviews from people. The only real problem I found with it was the editing style - which gives the film the look of an episode of "Murder, She Wrote". The sets of the film are quite creepy. The acting (by a primarily newcomer cast) is good. The music (though performed on a synthesizer) fits the tone of the film.

All in all, "Witchcraft" isn't an Oscar winning film, but it's a interesting way to pass 90 minutes.

This is one of the best horror movies I've ever seen. It may have been direct to video, but it was theater worthy. It has everything a great horror movie needs: a great plot, the wonderful and chilling music, the great acting, the amazing death sequences, and the villain Tony Reno (Alexis Arquette) gives the movie life. It deserves higher than viewers give it. If it were up to me, i'd put it in the top 250.

The first film is good, but it was too happy for me. The third is good, but really should have been a stand alone film. This is a more accurate version of King's story, including a ritual from the story that never made it into the first film.

If you want a good horror film, watch this. You'll be happy you did.