Joan Fontaine who is the only actor(male or female) to have won an Oscar in a Alfred Hitchcock film, is the lead star in this little Hammer horror movie. She plays Miss Gwen Mayfield who is appointed Headmistress of a small village school after recovering from a nervous breakdown in Africa. Upon taking up her position at the school, which is located in a pretty and charming looking English village, strange and unusual things begin to happen. Idyllic English villages are the perfect backdrop for sinister goings on involving witchcraft and this film delivers accordingly. Although the film is nothing really special, I enjoyed it and have watched it several times. There are quite a few well known British character actors popping up throughout the film playing small parts, such as Leonard Rossiter and Ann Bell. UK soap fans will also spot Rudolph Walker (who plays Patrick in EastEnders)appearing very briefly at the start of the film. You won't get too many shudders watching this movie but I think you will enjoy it.
Review of The Witches
