Virgin Witch – Redemption Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: UK, 1971
Director: Ray Austin
Writer: Hazel Adair
Cast: Ann Michelle, Vicki Michelle, Keith Buckley, Patricia Haines, James Chase, Paula Wright, Christopher Strain, Esme Smythe, Garth Watkins, Neil Hallett, Helen Downing

Release Date: March 13th, 2012
Approximate Running Time: 88 Minutes 55 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVCC
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $19.95

"Ann Michelle (House of Whipcord) and Vicki Michelle (BBC’s ’Allo ’Allo!) star as a pair of mini skirted birds who travel to a remote castle in order to land a contract in the modeling agency of the mysterious lesbian Sybil Waite (Patricia Haines). Only then do they realize that the agency is a means of procuring fresh victims for a witch’s coven. Sybil’s plan goes awry when she discovers that one of the virginal sisters is hardly an innocent victim—but is gifted with deadly supernatural powers." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.75/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "mastered in HD from the 35mm negative."

Virgin Witch comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 23.2 GB

Feature: 19.2 GB

The source has not been cleaned up; there are scratches and other debris, fortunately most of which is not intrusive. Colors and flesh tones look correct, image clarity is strong, black levels fare well, compression is very good, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 3.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English. Though the audio is in very good shape, dialog at times can sound quiet, and the score sounds appropriately robust.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery (16 images - stills/advertisements) and a theatrical trailer (1 minute 51 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles).

Other extras include a collection of Jean Rollin trailers: The Shiver of the Vampires, The Nude Vampire, The Iron Rose, Lips of Blood, and Fascination.

Summary:

Ray Austin directed Virgin Witch; he mostly worked on TV series, with notable credits including The Avengers, Space: 1999, Magnum P.I., and JAG. He only directed three feature films: 1000 Convicts and a Woman, Virgin Witch, and House of the Living Dead.

Twin sisters Christine and Betty, unable to cope with an overprotective father, run away from home. Looking for excitement, they make their way to London. Shortly after their arrival, Christine answers an ad in a magazine looking for a model. Christine’s first modeling job requires her to travel to an estate in the country and stay there for the weekend while she works. Not wanting to go by herself, Christine invites Betty to join her on her weekend in the country. While wandering around the estate, Betty discovers a secret society that practices witchcraft.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, one of the latest fads in cinema were films about the occult, like George A. Romero’s Season of the Witch, Paul Wendkos' The Mephisto Waltz, and Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby. That said, Virgin Witch is a film that was clearly trying to capitalize on the occult-themed films popular at the time. Tigon British Film Productions, known for its low budgets, produced Virgin Witch.

Despite the occult being central to the story that unfolds, the real main attraction is twin sisters Ann Michelle (Psychomania) and Vicki Michelle, who provide an ample amount of eye candy. That said, the entire cast's performances are surprisingly good all around. The standout performance was by Patricia Haines (Blood Beast from Outer Space) in the role of Sybil Waite, the high priestess of the coven.

Though the narrative starts off strongly, the middle section at times drags; fortunately, the finale very effectively puts everything into perspective. The visuals are an area where Virgin Witch comes out ahead; they feature inventive camera work that showcases the two leading ladies' ample assets. Ultimately, Virgin Witch is an underrated British exploitation film that is waiting to be discovered.

Redemption Films gives Virgin Witch a serviceable audio/video presentation.

Written by Michael Den Boer