Thought the Twentieth:


The Top Ten Films About Paganism and Witchcraft

OK...I set myself a challenge...come up with the ten best films on pagan subjects. Although I had to set the parameters pretty broad, here they are:

  1. THE WICKER MAN -- Pagan practices survive on a small British Isle...Beltaine fun, sexual abandon, human sacrifice. Would probably win in a poll of neopagans for their favorite.
  2. THE CONQUEROR WORM (aka WITCHFINDER GENERAL) -- Vincent Price stars as reallife witchfinder Matthew Hopkins in a terrific portrayal of witchhunts in Cromwellian England. Director Michael Reeves died way too young.
  3. WALKABOUT -- Nicolas Roeg's visionary (and recently re-released) opus about the collision between urban man and aboriginal culture.
  4. BURN, WITCH, BURN (aka NIGHT OF THE EAGLE) -- Based on Fritz Leiber's wonderful book, CONJURE WIFE, an anthropologist attempts to provide a rational structure for his wife's magical practices, even as she is under attack by jealous fellow witches.
  5. THE CRAFT -- Full of the usual Hollywood hokum, but nevetheless tries to depict Wiccan ritual accurately as a point of departure for mounting horror. Its influence in helping demystify and popularize Wicca cannot be overstated.
  6. PRACTICAL MAGIC -- Well-crafted (no pun intended) portrait of two sisters and their divergent attitudes toward their heritage of witchcraft. Like THE CRAFT, it is 'P.C.' towards Wicca as a religion, but uses it to set up absurd effects.
  7. THE DEVIL'S BRIDE (aka THE DEVIL RIDES OUT) -- Deals specifically with Black Magic, but shows the existence of White Magic as well. Well-researched film with an excellent performance by Christopher Lee.
  8. HAXAN (aka WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES) -- A highly sensationalized Swedish silent. Controversial for its time.
  9. I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE -- Classic atmosphere and a respectful treatment of voodoo.
  10. THE SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW -- Excellent opening sequence involving shamanic journey; remainder is generally exciting and well-researched voodoo horror.
The "Bottom Four": THE BELIEVERS, HOCUS POCUS, HALLOWEEN III, THE GUARDIAN (killer Druid).

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