The Blair Witch Project

Date Of Release: 30^th July 1999

Director: Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez

Producer: Robin Cowie & Gregg Hale

Starring: Heather Donahue, Michael C Williams, Joshua Leonard

Running Time: 79 minutes

Distributor: Artisan Entertainment

Review

This film is considered one of the scariest of all time and one of the most popular to come out of the 90’s. Not only that, it is one of the most successful independent films of all time. It has also been credited as giving rise to the docu-horror genre (films such as paranormal activity and REC followed this style). The film itself stems from the “found footage” genre (made popular by Cannibal Holocaust).

The plot itself is quite simple, 3 film students set out to do a documentary on the Blair Witch, in Burkittsville. They interview locals and then hike out into the woods. They are never seen again. The footage is found one year later. The story and legend are completely made up yet they managed to fool a hell of a lot of people into thinking that this was actual footage and that these people were actually missing. One of the best things about the film was the improvisation by the actors. They were given a brief script and the directors left instructions for them rather than direct them. All the footage was shot by the actors giving it a more realistic feel. A lot of internet marketing helped build up the hype. The filming itself only took 8 days and was made on a budget of about $20,000 (some say $50,000).

The film feels completely raw from beginning to end. The shaky camera action also gives it a realistic and scary look. They filmed it in the fall which gives it a cold atmosphere. The chemistry between actors works really well, if that wasn’t there then the improvisation would be useless. Everything has been made as realistic as possible, even down to the part when Heather really breaks down and sobs into the camera; you can see snot and all! The filming at night is the best part, some of it you really struggle to see but that’s what the film is all about, they are not concentrating on letting you see as they are too much in fear to realise what they are doing.

The black and white effect really sets the mood as well (seen only in the night vision shots). There are a few really outstanding scenes. The part where they find all the hanging stick figures is a pretty simple scene but it is sure as shit creepy, even them finding the piles of rocks outside the tent is weird. Another stand out scene is the creepy rustling noises outside the tent at night, they describe it as crackling. This leads to Josh’s disappearance; they hear his screams in the night and find his blood soaked shirt with teeth and hair in the morning. Last but not least, the creepiest and most well-known scene of the movie, Heather finding Mike facing the wall. I’m not going to describe that one; you will have to watch it for yourself.

This really is a psychological horror as it really knew how to play on people’s fears, and the worst fear of all…..the unknown…making this film a seriously good one.

Rating: 10/10 – If you’re wondering Witch film to buy, you Blair-ter make it this one!!