Burn, Witch, Burn (1962)

A skeptical college professor discovers that his wife has been practicing magic for years. Like the learned, rational fellow he is, he forces her to destroy all her magical charms and ... See full summary »

Director:

Sidney Hayers

Writers:

Fritz Leiber Jr. (novel) (as Fritz Leiber), Charles Beaumont (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Wyngarde, Janet Blair, Margaret Johnston

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Wyngarde	...	Norman Taylor
Janet Blair	...	Tansy Taylor
Margaret Johnston	...	Flora Carr
Anthony Nicholls	...	Harvey Sawtelle
Colin Gordon	...	Lindsay Carr
Kathleen Byron	...	Evelyn Sawtelle
Reginald Beckwith	...	Harold Gunnison
Jessica Dunning	...	Hilda Gunnison
Norman Bird	...	Doctor
Judith Stott	...	Margaret Abbott
Bill Mitchell	...	Fred Jennings

Storyline

A skeptical college professor discovers that his wife has been practicing magic for years. Like the learned, rational fellow he is, he forces her to destroy all her magical charms and protective devices, and stop that foolishness. He isn't put off by her insistence that his professional rivals are working magic against him, and her protections are necessary to his career and life.

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Plot Keywords:

witchcraft | professor | amulet | college professor | statue of an eagle | 

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Taglines:

Do the undead demons of hell still arise to terrorize the world?

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Burn, Witch, Burn

Filming Locations:

Cape Cornwall, St Just, Cornwall, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Independent Artists

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original script contained much more occult and voodoo material, however, this was cut down as director Sidney Hayers felt the relationship of the Taylors needed to be the focus of the film.

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Goofs

At 1:21:48, you can see the guide wire controlling the eagle.

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Quotes

Lindsay Carr: [Speaking of an upcoming, open promotion] You don't really deserve it, you know.
Norman Taylor: Oh?
Lindsay Carr: You've got too much already - a beautiful wife, this lovely house and that cottage by the sea. Your excellent thesis, and your ability to interest the students, now what's the answer to it all, eh? You sold your soul to the devil?

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Crazy Credits

There is no The End closing title, just a final "Do You Believe?" to conclude the film.

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Connections

Featured in British Film Forever: Magic, Murder and Monsters: The Story of British Horror and Fantasy (2007)

User Reviews

Classic chiller with a great leading performance

This has always been one of my favorite horror movies. A lot of its force--notwithstanding the good solid script and direction--is due to Peter Wyngarde's performance as the husband of the title witch. At first he shows us the man's skepticism, a disbelief so fervent and so confidently scornful of opposition that it persuades his wife, even in the face of the sinister atmosphere that's growing all around them--this being painted in with that easy skill that only Britons seem able to command. As the story progresses, Wyngarde shows us, one unnerving step at a time, the man's loss of his lack of faith, to the point of absolute belief (which the film points up with an obvious, but very satisfying, joke) and absolute terror. Except for Fay Wray writhing and screaming between twin pillars in anticipation of her sacrifice, I can't recall another victim whose fear I've felt along with him so completely. In my opinion Wyngarde's is one of the great performances in horror films, and the film itself is one of the last of the classics.