aka. Night of the Eagle
I like modern Horror’s shocks and gore just fine, but I love discovering these low budget chillers from the 50s and 60s that keep you on your toes – and the edge of your seat – for 80-90 minutes, relying mainly on intelligent writing, a well-placed camera and fully-realized performances. Because of how much happens in its brief running time, it’d be easy to describe Burn Witch Burn as a roller-coaster ride, but it’s a much smoother operation that isn’t rushing to the next thrill, though they are plentiful.
BWB is a Supernatural tale of witchcraft and the punishment for ignoring its abilities. The opening scenes could be taken as setting up a comedic battle of sexes, like Practical Magic, but even as events spiral quickly out of control, the mood isn’t comical but a fear of what’s coming next. The script (by Charles Beaumont & the legendary Richard Matheson and based on a novel by Fritz Leiber Jr.) goes a couple of extra miles, building a rather simple Twilight Zone episode into an evolving mystery, with a couple of possible big reveals to keep you guessing.
I was uncertain of the film’s ability to pull it together until near the end. It sometimes seemed like it was making plots up as it went along, but since finishing it, I’ve been looking back with great admiration for its originality. The story knows well how to zig after setting up a zag, and the actors are credible throughout.
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