Witchslayer Gretl (TV 2012)

Twenty years after his encounter with the witch, a grown-up Hansel returns to the haunted forest, seeking revenge. But there's a surprise waiting - his sister Gretel (who he thought had been killed) is the witch's protégé.

Director:

Mario Azzopardi

Writers:

Angela Mancuso (story), Brook Durham (teleplay)

Stars:

Paul McGillion, Emilie Ullerup, Shannen Doherty

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul McGillion	...	Hansel
Emilie Ullerup	...	Ehren
Shannen Doherty	...	Gretl
Sarain Boylan	...	Lara
Jefferson Brown	...	Abyss
Nahanni Johnstone	...	Thorne
Frank J. Zupancic	...	Ehren's Father
Daniela Lazzaro	...	Newborn Witch
Maxwell Uretsky	...	Young Hansel
Sophia Ewaniuk	...	Young Gretl
Anne Shepherd	...	Ture Zora
Erica Cox	...	Lead Witch
Clara Pasieka	...	Young Maiden
Marianthi Evans	...	Witch Ingonito
John Boylan	...	Lara's Dad

Storyline

Twenty years after his encounter with the witch, a grown-up Hansel returns to the haunted forest, seeking revenge. But there's a surprise waiting - his sister Gretel (who he thought had been killed) is the witch's protégé.

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Genres:

Fantasy | Horror

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Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 2012 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chesler/Perlmutter Productions, Syfy

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

User Reviews

I've definitely seen worse from SyFy, but I personally did find this rather dull...

This is a real shame, because Witchslayer Gretl(or Gretl: Witch Hunter) alongside Black Forest(similar genre, and while flawed was a better movie) had one of the better ideas in a long time from SyFy. It was a very interesting idea and could have been tolerable at least with the right execution. However, the execution didn't work for me and overall I did find it dull. For one thing, I didn't think much effort went into the set design and stuff. I didn't see much life or anything at the couple of shacks there were or the cave covered in moss. And the costumes didn't feel authentic, as far as I know these actors could've come fresh from a fancy dress party or something. The effects are cheap, even for SyFy, and I have seen some schlock in my lifetime in that aspect, and the editing has a haphazard look to it. Even worse was the story, yet another movie that had a good, no great, concept, that fell so hard on terrible execution, the action was generic(crossbows fired, witches stabbed) and didn't maintain my interest much, and the story was predictable and so sluggish that I almost drifted off once or twice. The script is anachronistic and stilted, the characters are just as lifeless as the pace and the acting is incredibly stiff, even from Shannon Doherty. Speaking of Doherty I was surprised that for a lead role how little she was in Witchslayer: Gretl until the final third of the film, where it sort of picks up but it was too late to care. The only person to inject life into her part was Sarain Boylan. Overall, rather dull and pointless at the end of the day. Loved the concept, but the execution was the complete opposite. 2/10 Bethany Cox