Rent Legend of the Witches / Secret Rites (1971)
2.8 of 5 from 62 ratings
2h 12min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
An eye-opening exploration of the occult, Malcolm Leigh's X-rated quasi-documentary 'Legend of the Witches' (1970) is an imaginative depiction of pagan rituals as they were supposedly practised at the dawn of the downer decade. Sharing the secrets of initiation into a coven, divination, ritual scrying, the casting of a 'death spell' and a chilling black mass, it also visits Boscastle's incredible Museum of Witchcraft, celebrates Britain's pagan heritage and pays tribute to the perennial power of the witch. Part mondo movie, part counter-cultural artefact, 'Secret Rites' (1971) is a side-step towards documentary territory by notorious exploitation stalwart Derek Ford that purports to lift the veil on witchcraft-as-lifestyle-choice in 1970's Notting Hill. Mystery band 'The Spindle' provide psychedelic sounds while groovy hairdresser and tentative occultist Penny is initiated into the coven of Alex Sanders, who features prominently in both films. - Actors:
- Penny Beeching, Shirley Harmer, Lee Peters, Alex Sanders, Jane Spearing, Maxine Sanders
- Directors:
- Derek Ford, Malcolm Leigh
- Producers:
- Olive Negus-Fancey, Morton M. Lewis
- Voiced By:
- Guy Standeven
- Narrated By:
- Lee Peters
- Writers:
- Malcolm Leigh, Derek Ford
- Studio:
- BFI Video
- Genres:
- Documentary, Drama, Special Interest
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 14/10/2019
- Run Time:
- 132 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Mono
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
- Colour:
- Colour and B & W
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Newly recorded audio commentary on 'Secret Rites' by BFI Flipside founders Vic Pratt and William Fowler
- 'The Witch's Fiddle' (1924, 7 mins): a silent film version of the eerie folk tale
- 'Out of Step: Witchcraft' (1957, 14 mins): investigative journalist Dan Farson interviews the 'father of Wicca' Gerald Gardner in this rare TV documentary
- 'The Judgement of Albion' (1968, 26 mins): bold, Blakeeian imagery populates this ode to resistance by the writer of 'Blood on Satan's Claw'
- 'Getting It Straight in Notting Hill Gate' (1970, 25 mins): spaced-out sitars, Blue Beat 45's and the prog-rock grooves of Quintessence soundtrack this up-close flashback to Notting Hill Gate in 1970
- Image Gallery: rare memorabilia and newspaper cuttings relating to the films, salvaged from the spooky '70's
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