Legend of the Witches (1970) & Secret Rites (1971) [DVD + Blu-ray)

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With the new popularity of witchcraft in its modern form, it is probably impossible to be completely accurate because of the different deviations dependent on which practising witch you speak to, so it would be unfair to criticise Leigh for this. Featuring the only footage in existence of the infamous “King of Wicca,” Alex Sanders, who uses this documentary to guide us through his coven. As someone with a hobbyist interest in witchcraft and old religions, this film is an interesting look at Wicca in the modern age. Getting It Straight in Notting Hill Gate (1970, 25 mins): spaced-out sitars, Blue Beat 45s and the prog-rock grooves of Quintessence soundtrack this up-close flashback to Notting Hill Gate in 1970.

This is the popular conception of what witches do and how they practice their craft,’ we’re informed. Malcolm Leigh directed this rather interesting, if a bit slow, documentary about cults, Satanist and other such issues.The use of cord to tie up members and the sword to cut these cords, is however, significant in modern witchcraft, and other depictions of events in the performance of the mass’, seem accurate as far as I can tell. Switch to Alex Sanders, a Notting Hill witch, ready to demystify the controversy surrounding witchcraft and break down some of the stereotypical images.

Parallels between Christian and pagan rituals are drawn, and time is spent putting witchcraft into a historical context and reflecting on its influence on everyday life. Other extras include an interview with ‘father of Wicca’ Gerald Gardner from TV documentary Out of Step, 1957 in which he attempts to dispel the blackened view of witchcraft with reluctance from its interviewer, journalist Dan Farson. Although nice to see, it is difficult for the director to fully encapsulate the significance of these objects on film and the shot is simply a scan over objects as the narrator goes on to talk about spells and the doll effigies with pins stuck into them. Although a lesser known actress staring in Up Pompei, 1969 and The Morecambe and Wise Show, 1968, Penny’s playing to the camera with pouting looks and stylised standing often give her away.The accompanying booklet (only available with the first pressing) is arguably the best extra of all with a number of illuminating essays from experts on cinema and paganism. Images of sea, sunrises and deer are eloquently focussed to aid the films relaxing atmosphere, and even the sacrifice of a chicken appears less harrowing than it might.

It is also more reliable in terms of accurate representation of rites and rituals within a witches’ coven.Mystery band The Spindle provide the groovy, psychedelic sounds while tentative occult enthusiast Penny and a serious-sounding narrator introduce the viewer to three ritual acts. We are a fly on the wall for the next series of rituals carried out by Sanders and the High Priestess.

It takes place outdoors with an emphasis on the four primeval elements of earth, air, fire and water. Another woman was supposedly cured of cancer by Sanders sitting with her in the hospital for three days and nights, holding her feet and pouring “healing energy” into her. For the majority of film, recreations of rites and rituals are kept tasteful, giving the whole film a sense of educational value. Sharing the secrets of initiation into a coven, divination through animal sacrifice, ritual scrying, the casting of a 'death spell', and the chilling intimacy of a Black Mass.Similarly, to other creation stories, it tells of how life on earth began with the smallest of fish and birds, to the creation of animals and man. Expecting a biased, blood thirsty and erotic account of an ancient religion condemned by the church, I was pleasantly surprised. As she emerges from Notting Hill Gate Underground station, she looks like she could be on her way to a modelling assignment for Nova. We can start with the wonderful cinematography, which takes a very low-budget and makes it look like something more. The historical origins of witchcraft in moon-worship and the witches’ legend of creation; initiation rites undergone by the modern witches’ divination by birds and animals; Christianity’s absorption of pagan rites; revenge killing; the Black Mass; Cecil Williamson’s Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall; investigations into the efficacy of witchcraft; extra-sensory perception; foretelling the future.