Sorceress – aka Temptress – is a 1994 American horror film directed by Jim Wynorski from a screenplay written by Mark Thomas McGee (Equinox; Sorority House Massacre II; Witch Academy). It was produced by Fred Olen Ray and photographed by veteran Gary Graver.
It should not be confused with Sorceress (1982) which Wynorski came up with for Roger Corman’s New World company or Temptress (1995) directed by Lawrence Lanoff.
In the US, Synapse Films has released the film on Blu-ray and DVD, featuring an 2K transfer of the uncut version, with erotic footage deleted from the original release. The 1.78:1 transfer is accompanied by two audio commentaries: One by Jim Wynorski alone and one in which he is joined by special guest Tom Savini.
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Larry Barnes (Poindexter) is on the fast track to a partnership in a prestigious law firm, and his attractive witch wife Erica (Strain) will do anything to keep her husband happy. But Erica makes a fatal mistake when she tries to kill Larry’s main competition for the partnership, Howard Reynolds (Albert).
With Howard now crippled for life from Erica’s dark magic, his wife Amelia [Blair] plots her revenge. Using witchcraft and a mystical medallion, Amelia tries to destroy everyone and everything in Larry’s life…
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Review:
Like the Witchcraft series, this movie is aimed firmly at the couples market and consists of mainly softcore shenanigans, with just the occasional sorcery thrown-in. Production values are slightly better than is the norm for such 90s direct-to-video naughtiness, with at least the bonus of some seasoned exploitation movie actors (Blair, Parks, Marshall) in supporting roles.
Meanwhile, Mark Thomas McGee’s entwined plot machinations (it’s like a twisted mini soap at some points) raise an occasional smirk. Unfortunately, any trace of genuine lasciviousness is ruined by the unappealing silicon-enhanced boobs on show. Natural is, of course, the only way to go…
Adrian J Smith, MOVIES & MANIA
Other reviews:
“Julie Strain’s fake breasts are in full view… constantly. I was hoping Linda Blair would add some ‘B’ charm after warming to her, post Exorcist, in Savage Streets. There is nothing particularly unique or inventive about Sorceress – in fact it’s pretty terrible but the nudity is a distraction that some may find appealing.” DVD Beaver
” …Sorceress is thoroughly enjoyable in a way only this stuff is—certainly, it can’t be taken seriously, yet it’s a sincere (and sincerely amusing) attempt to conjure up a reason to watch people screw around for 90 minutes. Its cast of eye-catching, often naked women is meant to appeal to that inner twelve-year-old who used to eagerly wait until sundown to see this sort of forbidden material: watching it now, it’s more of a hoot, and not an altogether worthless one.” Oh, the Horror!
” … senseless erotic horror movie … Swanson is the real star and main attraction in several hot scenes. This is typically filled with flashbacks, nightmares, dreams inside of dreams, and an impressive shower scene.” Michael J. Weldon, The Psychotronic Video Guide
“Eddie Albert and Larry Poindexter are pretty fun to watch and hey, it’s never a bad thing when Blacula shows up, even if it’s a small paycheck role. Really though, it’s Julie Strain and Rochelle Swanson that stand out in this one. They both vamp it up to ridiculous degrees and spend plenty of time in their birthday suits – which is really the main point of the movie in the first place. But hey, it works.” Rock! Pop! Shock!
“Sorceress is just too dull a movie warrant a legion of ardent fans and midnight matinees. Don’t get me wrong. There is no reason why the world of cinema doesn’t need an erotic horror movie that excites in two distinct fashions, but let us be blunt, Sorceress is not the film to lead that campaign.” HNN
Cast and characters:
Larry Poindexter as Larry Barnes
Julie Strain as Erica Barnes
Linda Blair as Amelia Reynolds (The Exorcist; Hell Night; Repossessed)
Edward Albert as Howard Reynolds (Galaxy of Terror; Mimic 2; Sea of Fear)
Michael Parks as Stan Latarga (The Evictors; Planet Terror; Tusk)
Lenny Juliano as Don
Rochelle Swanson as Carol
Toni Naples as Maria
William Marshall as John Geiger (Blacula; Scream Blacula Scream)
Antonia Dorian as Trisha
Kristi Ducati as Kathy
Melissa Brasselle as Mrs Annie Latarga
Fred Olen Ray as Bill Carson
Filming locations:
Annapolis, Maryland
