Blair Witch Project, The: Special Edition (US)

What`s all the fuss about?

Intriguing? Yes. Well performed? Yes. Clever? Yes.

Scary as hell?

Not exactly.

The plot manages to stay very simple but very clever, with the added intrigue of the actors improvising many contrasting situations, pushing themselves to many emotional limits.

Heather Donahue is particularly watchable as the bossy but likeable director of the whole scoop, she manages to manipulate many of the situations with her fellow filmakers caving in to her increasing demands to find that extra evidence. Josh Leonard plays his Surf Dude well, appearing stoned or near stoned without actually consuming any substance throughout the film.

The SE disc a good investment, it represents excellent usage of the medium being so crammed full of extras that you will certainly expand your knowledge and join in the hype.

I just wish that the hype was kept in perspective so that many folks won`t feel disappointed when they finally get to see this groundbreaking film.

The script is extremely strong with the cast improvising some extremely amusing situations then contrasting with desperate scenes of their own personal fear. The three actors should be commended for their performances - indeed the using of non profile actors has paid dividends with expectations being so high and they don`t let you down.

I did read somewhere that someone wouldn`t be buying this disc as it wasn`t widescreen, haven`t you missed the point somewhere...

I recommend this disc, even with the weight of expectation from the certain sections, so buy it, sit back, watch the movie, enjoy the extras and tell all that you`ve seen it!

NK

Content

Loads of poor quality recordings and acting.

Video

Give me back my cine camera all is forgiven.

Audio

The Menu is the best bit - after that forget it!

Features

Neat cover - shame about whats in it.

Overall

Yes - you have guessed it - overhyped and you`ve probably already spent your money on it. If I was s*** scared the last thing I would be doing is running around with a video camera filming it all. About as real as Peter Pan in a Brothel. In years to come you will realise you were hyped out of your money and wonder what all the fuss was about. ET was more scary in its day.

Okay. Please don`t shoot me, or strangle me, or inflict any physical pain. You can abuse me in any other way, just dont hurt me! - Yes, you guessed it. I loved it. The first time I have seen this film and I was getting very unnerved. I know I am disagreeing with everyone, but it was great - clever, very original, and full of tension. Well developed character to character relationships. Very REAL. Okay, it wasn`t as terrifying as some Yanks would have us believe, but I thought it was frighteneing in a much more subtle way.
The extras crammed on the disc were also damn good - especially the "Curse of the Blair witch". Damn genius.
The quality is not brilliantly leant to DVD, it`s shot on a video camera. Same with the sound. That is reflected in the ratings.

The Blair Witch Project is a strange movie to review for DVD.
Being such a low budget movie, the original material cannot be measured in professional means.
The movie tells the story of 3 people loosing their way in the woods while filming a documentary on a local myth.
When I first visited the Blair Witch homepage in early 1999, I was pretty sure it was a real case. The evidence seemed real enough for me. It isn`t, however. It`s totally fictional.
The movie itself is pretty eery. I watched it alone, late at night, in the dark. I was waiting for a scare (at least one), but got none. That does not mean that the movie is not scary. It is, sort of, but it is scary in a way that lets the viewer guess what he/she is scared of. There is never a clue as to why the characters are so scared.
The video transfer of the movie is good (given the fact that the movie was shot on amateur equipment). The transfer, however, does reveal several compression marks, especially during the pitch black scenes (and there are quite a few of those). The combination of color and black and white footage is good. It`ll give you a decent amount of eeriness.
The stereo soundtrack is ok. While it is not DD 5.1, it is very effective and the dialog is always clear.
The menus on the DVD are really nice. While it is sometimes difficult to figure out what some of the titles say, they are really artistic and creepy.
The extras on the DVD include a "newly discovered footage" (a short out-take), some trailers and teasers and a nice 45-minute "documentary" (a behind the scenes look at the Blair Witch Legend).
Can I recommend this DVD? Well, yeah, sort of. Does it live up to its expectations? Definitely not. It will not haunt you at all. Why do I recommend it then? Well, I guess one has to admire the way this movie gained its publicity. Besides, you`d be able to tell all your friends that you watched "The Blair Witch Project" and lived to tell about it. Will you understand the movei`s ending? Hmmm, well, in case you do - DO let me know.

"The Blair Witch Project" revisited - May 2007
************************************************
About six and a half years after first watching the movie, I got the chance to watch it again.
Well, the second time around isn`t scary nor eery, plus - you get to recognize Donahue as the most annoying character from "Taken".
All in all - worths another viewing if only for its iconic value alone.

This has got to be one of the most over-hyped films I have ever seen.
Personally I found it not in the slightest scary, nor did my Daughter. Entertaining - nope, worth the money - nope
complete waste of time.
Took the film back to the shop and got my money back.
Oh and by the way, I didn`t understand the end either.