‘After 300 years in the grave… they returned to reap blood havoc!’
Witchcraft is a 1964 British supernatural horror film directed by Don Sharp (Psychomania; Rasputin – The Mad Monk; The Kiss of the Vampire, Curse of the Fly) from a screenplay written by Harry Spalding (Chosen Survivors; Curse of the Fly; House of the Damned).
The Lippert Films production stars Lon Chaney Jr in one of his last decent acting roles alongside Jack Hedley (The New York Ripper) and Jill Dixon. Some of the exteriors were shot at Oakley Court, also the location for several Hammer horror production scenes.
Plot:
In the 17th century, the Lanier family buried a Whitlock woman alive as a witch and took over the Whitlock estate. A bitter hatred of the Lanier family continues into the present. However, two descendants, Amy Whitlock (Diane Clare) and Todd Lanier (David Weston), fall in love and plan to marry regardless of the family’s objections.
The Laniers, headed by Bill Lanier (Jack Hedley), are building developers who now own part of the old Whitlock Estate. Without their knowledge and following the instructions of Lanier manager Myles Forrester (Barry Linehan) a bulldozer overturns headstones and churns up graves in the old Whitlock Cemetery.
At night, when all is quiet, an exhumed grave opens, and Vanessa Whitlock (Yvette Rees), the witch buried centuries ago, rises from the grave. Together with Morgan Whitlock (Lon Chaney Jr.), they use their witchcraft, and one by one, the Laniers meet with various fatal accidents.
Buy Witchcraft + Devils of Darkness: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Buy: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com
Buy: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
Trailer:
Free online on YouTube:
Cast and characters:
Lon Chaney Jr … Morgan Whitlock; Jack Hedley … Bill Lanier; Jill Dixon … Tracy Lanier; Viola Keats … Helen Lanier; Marie Ney … Malvina Lanier; David Weston … Todd Lanier; Diane Clare … Amy Whitlock; Yvette Rees … Vanessa Whitlock; Barry Linehan … Myles Forrester; Victor Brooks … Inspector Baldwin; Marianne Stone … Forrester’s Secretary; John Dunbar … Doctor; Hilda Fenemore … Nurse
Technical specs:
1 hour 19 minutes
Audio: Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Black and white
Aspect ratio: 1.66: 1
