Blair Witch Project, The

Released By:

Artisan Home Video

Features:

1999; 87 Min; Rated R; English Dolby Surround; Window boxed Full Frame (1.33)

Extras:

Audio Commentary by Directors  Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez; "Cruse Of The Blair Witch" Documentary; Blair Witch History; "Newly Discovered Footage;" Trailers.

Review:

I 'll get it out of the way right now. The Blair Witch Project is one of the most over-hyped, and over rated films released in my lifetime. Watching three actors run around the woods for over and hour while screaming at each other is not scary. It's annoying.

I arrived at my conclusion having already approached this movie with low expectations, since everyone I'd talk too wasn't impressed with the movie.

Here's the plot, in case you didn't know it already. Three "documentary" film student go out into the woods to investigate the history of the "Blair Witch Curse" somewhere in Maryland. In their quest, they stumble upon some bizarre voodoo images, get lost , scared, and pissed at each other.

I will give directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez credit, they have put a hell of a lot of thought into the back story of the Blair Witch. Unfortunately, they fell victim to a screen writing trap that is linked mostly to science fiction: too many concepts, not enough character development. Believe me, as I attempt my own writing, this is the biggest problem I have.

Having said that, I will advise everyone to watch the "Curse of the Blair Witch" mockumentary first. It does help the story, a little. At least you are given some character development in the mini news capsule.

Most of the credit for the success of "The Blair Witch Project" goes to Artisan, the studio that picked up the rights for this small independent feature. They've done a brilliant marketing (brainwashing?) job for this film. Everyone believes they have to see this film. It's amazing to me that this title actually rents at my store, because almost every employee and customer, that has seen this movie, tears it down. But so goes the great marketing behemoth that is Hollywood.

The DVD of The Blair Witch Project is filled with plenty of material for a Blair Witch fan, but where Artisan failed is the actual presentation of the movie. Why is the Hi-8 footage presented in it's theatrical film print? The elements were there, why not use the original Hi-8 elements? New Line made this same mistake with the laser disc and VHS presentation of their critically acclaimed Hoop Dreams.  This degrades the quality, and possibly effectiveness, of the footage. Just look at the Curse of the Blair to see what I'm talking about.

And what's up with the window boxing of a film that was shot full frame? Perhaps if it was enhanced for 16X9 television I could understand, but...

While the disc is listed as Dolby Surround, it wasn't really needed. The film is essentially mono. It's supposed to be a documentary, so no big deal.

In accordance with my opening statements, this film gets a 2. Just because the ideas were thought out, doesn't mean it will be entertaining.

I'll give the actual disc presentation a 5, if only for the extras included on the disc.

Dan Linzmeier, FIT Productions
Fitprod@aol.com
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