THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT

*****

Directed by Eduardo Sánchez & Daniel Myrick.

Starring Rei Hance (Heather Donahue), Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard.

Horror, US, 81 minutes, Certificate 15.

Released in the UK via Second Sight on 11th November

As the twentieth century drew to a close, cinema audiences were treated to an extraordinary wave of films from young up and coming directors. FIGHT CLUB, MAGNOLIA, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, AMERICAN MOVIE, THE SIXTH SENSE and THREE KINGS are just a few examples of this new wave of films, each one whose influence can still be felt to this day. Perhaps most influential of all however, not only on a genre level but on a pop culture one also, was an indie movie directed by and starring complete unknowns. One of the most successful independent movies of all time, going onto gross nearly two hundred and fifty million dollars only a few weeks after THE PHANTOM MENACE was released. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT would also go on to kick start the found footage genre into high gear with its  story involving a trio of film students going missing in the woods after encountering a supernatural entity that had large numbers of people questioning what was truth or fiction.

Twenty-five years later, found footage is still going strong, evolving into new and innovative forms as technology evolves and becomes more accessible to the public. It is interesting to watch BLAIR WITCH through this lens, especially in this absolutely stacked and beautifully remastered special edition. A mix of HI-8 video and black and white 16mm, the film now feels as if it is from a totally different and long ago era as we watch the doomed Heather, Mike and Josh cart their oversized equipment deeper and deeper into the vast, lonely cold woods. Watching it again, the complaints of the shaky camera work causing nausea and sickness in unsuspecting audiences spring back to mind as well as the general annoyance at its ambiguous nature. It is this latter aspect that gives the film an edge, particularly over other horror films at the time, and still manages to unnerve now, especially the tent attack and the shriek-filled journey into that dilapidated house at the film's climax.

Another common complaint at the time was the perception of its characters, particularly in regards to Heather Donahue (now renamed as Rei Vance and completely retired from acting.) Her needling and incessant habit of filming absolutely everything to the detriment of her crew mates was the source of much needlessly cruel lampooning. However, watching it now, the strength of her performance as she breaks down day by day, night by night should be fully appreciated for its astonishing and raw honesty and vulnerability. The performances of Leonard and Williams also shine through more and perhaps this trio of performances can now be more appreciated by an audience who are more used to the unavoidable constraints that come with the found footage genre. In the quarter century since its release no other film in the genre has come close to the immediacy of its supernatural evil.

All of this and so much more shine through on this special edition from Second Sight, continuing their hot streak of specialist releases. Three versions of the film are available, the original theatrical cut presented as it we have seen it before and in a remastered version that presents the video footage in its original format. It may not sound like much but it presents the film in a new and illuminating light. Also on offer is the much fabled festival cut, which in the end only offers more incidental detail not really related to the intoxicating mythos of its elusive titular character. Along with the three audio commentaries, 1999 supporting documentary, visual essay there is also a whopping amount of deleted scenes and most importantly an exhaustive documentary that runs a full hour longer than the film it’s covering.

Directed by Jed Shepherd, co-writer of HOST and DASHCAM, two of the best examples of found footage in recent years, this documentary is a must see for fans. Although the cast have declined to participate, due to ongoing pay disputes with film studio Lionsgate, the directors and producers and other essential collaborators contribute a wealth of history and gossip that shed several new insights into the film. From its genesis, the aborted filming of a second phase that was originally intended to accompany the documenary footage and its legacy this is one of the most comprehensive and impressive special features to be included on any disc for quite some time.

It may not win over anyone from its original release who still holds a grudge against it but for newcomers this disc is a perfect introduction. For long-time fans this is an indispensable release that only highlights and strengthens everything they love about this film that is still a keystone in its own genre. Perhaps easy to take for granted in recent times, this release more than proves its staying power and everlasting legacy in an all new light.

Iain MacLeod