Superstition (1982) 5.6
A witch put to death in 1692 swears vengeance on her persecutors and returns to the present day to punish their descendants. Director:James W. Roberson |
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Superstition (1982) 5.6
A witch put to death in 1692 swears vengeance on her persecutors and returns to the present day to punish their descendants. Director:James W. Roberson |
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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James Houghton | ... |
Rev. David Thompson
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| Albert Salmi | ... |
Inspector Sturgess
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Lynn Carlin | ... |
Melinda Leahy
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| Larry Pennell | ... |
George Leahy
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Jacquelyn Hyde | ... |
Elvira Sharack
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Robert Symonds | ... |
Pike
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Heidi Bohay | ... |
Ann Leahy
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Maylo McCaslin | ... |
Sheryl Leahy
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| Carole Goldman | ... |
Elondra
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Stacy Keach Sr. | ... |
Rev. Maier
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Kim Marie | ... |
Mary
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| Billy Jayne | ... |
Justin Leahy
(as Billy Jacoby)
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Johnny Doran | ... |
Charlie
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Bennett Liss | ... |
Arty
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Joshua Cadman | ... |
Arlen
(as Josh Cadman)
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A family moves into a long-condemned New England household with a big pond out back that everybody loves to swim in. Soon, however, they find that the pond was the site of the execution- by-drowning of a witch three hundred years before, and she's back to revenge herself on anybody nearby, whether they're Catholic or not. Written by Brian J. Wright <tyrannorabbit@hotmail.com>
An unusual, but rather enjoyable no-nonsense and wicked low-budget supernatural cursed haunted house feature that sees a Reverend and his family move into a strange, remote house with a horrific past. Mysterious occurrences begin to happen and people within the property start dieing or disappearing to only end up dead.
The plot is quite slight, with a premise relatively basic revenge from beyond the grave --- a drowned witch (who appears in demon form hidden under a cloak with glimpses of her long green hands and evil laughter to go with it). Its set-pieces are there for nothing more than atmospheric shock effects (gory, but creative deaths), but director James W. Roberson effectively handles them and suitably paces the narrative with a dark, nervy energy. It plays out like a haunted house ride false jumps to only pump out the real one within its predictable superstitious framework (the all mighty cross --- the torment of all evil and good for exploding doors). Also there's a real nasty streak, which doesn't hold back for anyone and this makes the downbeat ending even more fulfilling. The imagery is well-photographed (especially of the witch) and the score does pack that an ominous sting that crackles with intensity. The cast are committed with James Houghton, Larry Pennell, Lynn Carlin and Albert Salmi as a hard-pressed detective.
Silly, but lively 80s horror pulp that doesn't outstay its welcome.