Witch Hunt (1994)

In a twisted 1950's where everyone does magic, a private detective investigates a murder case without it.

Director:

Paul Schrader

Writer:

Joseph Dougherty

Stars:

Dennis Hopper, Penelope Ann Miller, Eric Bogosian

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Hopper	...	H. Phillip Lovecraft
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Kim Hudson
Eric Bogosian	...	Sen. Larson Crockett
Sheryl Lee Ralph	...	Hypolyta Kropotkin
Julian Sands	...	Finn Macha
Valerie Mahaffey	...	Trudy
John Epperson	...	Vivian Dart (as Lypsinka)
Debi Mazar	...	The Manicurist
Alan Rosenberg	...	N.J. Gottlieb
Christopher John Fields	...	Lt. Morris Bradbury
John Durbin	...	Brackett
Gregory Bell	...	Shakespeare
Terry Camilleri	...	Minister
Christopher Darga	...	G-man #1 (as Chris Darga)
Stanley DeSantis	...	Sidney

Storyline

Detective Philip Lovecraft lives in Los Angeles in the 1950s when an ambitious Senator is holding hearings, on Magic. Magic is the new influence in Tinsel Town. Lovecraft is unique in that he is the only one who refuses to use magic in his work. Shortly after he is hired, he finds his client, Kim Hudson, accused of the murder of her husband, a film executive. Philip uses the tallents of a local witch, Kropotkin, to explain what is happening only to see her accused of the murder and sentenced to be burnt at the stake. Reminiscent of Roger Rabbit, without the toons.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | 1950s | private detective | h.p. lovecraft | shrinking | 

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Taglines:

It's a new kind of evil, as old as time.

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Genres:

Crime | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong language and a scene of nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Chasseur de sorcières

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Pacific Western

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A TV movie for the HBO network.

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Goofs

Gottlieb, ostensibly a parody of old Hollywood's Jewish studio bosses, appears to have an episcopal priest delivering his funeral.

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Quotes

Senator Crockett: Let me tell you a little something about 'The People' Phil; you lock any ten of them in a room, they may not elect a leader, but I guarantee they'll pick someone to hate.

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Connections

Features The Big Combo (1955)

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Soundtracks

I Put a Spell on You
Written by Screamin' Jay Hawkins (as Jalacy Hawkins)
Performed by Nina Simone

User Reviews

One of the most enjoyable made for cable movies

This movie is one that I watch everytime it comes on cable, hopper is good in it as is penolope ann miller, it has great sets and mood and is offbeat enough to help start a trend that lead to all the good cable movies and series we are now accustomed to... (soprano's carnivale, six feet under etc)