While this documentary does do an engrossing and illuminating job of covering various aspects of witchcraft in England throughout the ages, there's no denying that writer/director Malcolm Leigh used the documentary format as an excuse to get away with showing attractive young buck naked folks performing initiation rites and dancing around a bonfire sans clothes under the moonlight. What prevents this doc from seeming like a cheap piece of lurid exploitation is the fact that it's actually sharply photographed in crisp black and white by Robert D. Webb, with lots of nicely atmospheric shots of the sun, the moon, and waves crashing on the shore. Moreover, this doc depicts everything from animal sacrifices to everyday superstitions to Christianity's similarities to Wiccan practices in a neat and straightforward manner. Best of all, it's narrated with exquisitely soothing sonority by furiously prolific British bit player Guy Standeven, who spent the bulk of his lengthy career popping up in numerous films and TV shows in often uncredited minor nonspeaking roles; it's a real treat to hear Standeven's mellifluous voice talking throughout with utmost sincerity on the strangest of stuff. Worth a look.

Halloween viewing and surprisingly effective it turned out to be. As excited children could be heard squealing on the streets outside this by contrast was a creepy and somber affair painting a most believable picture of witchcraft through the ages. There is much speculation about a 113 minute version but whilst there is no evidence to support this, the recent BFI Blu-ray set contains an 85 minute film which is considerably longer than the IMDb 70 minute quote and likely to be the full length. I imagine the shorter version is that which went briefly on general release because watching this I was amazed at the extent of the explicit nature of the content. I was also most impressed with the camera work throughout. From the misty sunrise opening and moon across the water to the naked rituals and more this was eye opening stuff indeed. Particularly pleased to see the Witchcraft museum in Boscastle featured as I remember my father donating much material there in his later years. Fabulous view and can't wait to watch the accompanying short and numerous extras.

This was obviously made in an era when full frontal nudity in the cinema needed an excuse. "Now what can we use to get some pubics past the censor? I know! Witchcraft!", seems to be what the director thought.

A quick trip to Wardour Street to hire a camera, 50 quid for a roll of neg, and off to the local church for some background shots. "Let's make a movie (even if we can only afford black and white). Yippee!" Next off to Hampsted Heath with some cronies from the local pub (note to self: make sure the girls don't mind taking their knickers down; pity I forgot to tell the blokes not to try covering up their naughties as they all look like they are playing with themselves, when in fact they are trying to stop the camera seeing who is the "best man"!) I must say the rostrum camera-work isn't too bad and it's a pity that the database doesn't have the crew named.

The commentary sounds, and let's face it is, straight from the 1970's. You can imagine creeping into a dingy cinema full of the Dirty Mac brigade who are only sitting there to see the tits and bums.

From the above you will think that I am taking the urine, actually this film is quite interesting, well researched and deserves a play to a wider audience if only for the lack of coyness. But comments such as "The women's branch of the armed forces is a source of images" is well, rather odd to say the least! Although I can't imagine a real coven having so many long haired, firm breasted 20 year olds who all look like singer Mary Hopkin, accompanied by slightly balding 40 year old men trying to copulate with them. What happened to all the wizened, warty old hags? Perhaps they didn't go down the pub that night! In short, it's all a bit staged.