The Heart of Dsmballa amulet is a mystical object with a long history of supernatural powers. It is said to possess the ability to protect its wearer from harm and bring good luck. The origins of the amulet can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where it was believed to be a gift from the gods. According to legend, the Heart of Dsmballa amulet was created by a powerful sorcerer who wanted to harness the energies of the universe to create a potent source of protection and luck. The sorcerer spent years studying ancient texts and conducting rituals to imbue the amulet with its magical properties. The amulet is typically made of a unique combination of materials, including precious gemstones, metals, and enchanted charms.
Cheapo horror films of the 1960's and 70's come in two types: campy and fun (especially for a night of light partying with friends) or a one off viewing where the disc goes into the trash simply because you never intend to watch it again or risk losing a friend by passing it on. This is the later, a cheaply made story of supernatural revenge that was decently photographed but features hideous headache inducing soumd effects.
The film was shot with a cast and crew comprised mostly of local Texan amateurs Peters seems to have never written anything else, while Mary Davis s sole other screenwriting credit was for 1974 s Scum of the Earth. Alas we must settle for thick red 70s blood, laughable dialogues, weird camera angles and one brief but worthy topless moment provided by the lovely Anitra Walsh.
The amulet is typically made of a unique combination of materials, including precious gemstones, metals, and enchanted charms. Each element is carefully chosen for its specific energy and purpose. The gemstones are believed to enhance the amulet's protective qualities, while the metals provide strength and durability.
Mark of the Witch (1970)
Many moons ago when I was at boarding school, there was a patio restaurant across the main drag from campus that had a detached building containing the restrooms. In the short hallway between latrines, there was a poster for a horror flick I had never heard of, entitled Screams of a Winter Night. After some research using 2004-era internet access (no small feat, to be honest), I found that the movie had been filmed in and around Natchitoches, Louisiana (where my boarding school was located) by college students in the late seventies. They made three prints of the film and took them to drive-ins in the nearest cities, where Screams was discovered and picked up for nationwide distribution. Although it’s my understanding that the film has since found a home on DVD, it took some time to locate a pirated VHS copy of the movie at that time; although it has a certain nostalgic appeal for me, it’s not a very good movie, being largely amateurish in its narrative cohesion and poorly filmed in general, with lighting that renders much of the film impossible to see at points. Maybe I’ll get around to reviewing it for the site one day, but this is really just a preamble to discuss today’s selection, another cheap regional production, 1970’s Mark of the Witch, which, unlike Screams of a Winter Night, is actually a lot of fun and definitely worth seeking out.
In the late sixties, two Dallas women named Martha Peters and Mary Davis noticed that, although the horror genre was exploding, very few films were being made by or for women. Since both women had an academic interest in the occult, they composed a draft of Mark of the Witch, in which a young co-ed is possessed by the spirit of a centuries-dead witch. The film was shot with a cast and crew comprised mostly of local Texan amateurs: Peters seems to have never written anything else, while Mary Davis’s sole other screenwriting credit was for 1974’s Scum of the Earth. This was the first directing credit for Tom Moore as well, although he would direct Return to Boggy Creek (sequel to The Legend of Boggy Creek) seven years later before going on to have a largely unremarkable career as a TV director for episodes of various programs, including Cheers, Picket Fences, The Wonder Years, Mad About You, and L.A. Law.
The film opens with the hanging of the titular witch (Marie Santell), overseen by the betrayer MacIntyre Stuart (Robert Elston); he and two other members of their coven turned on the other ten members, leading to their execution. With her final words, the witch curses Stuart: he and all of his descendants shall bear her mark, until she returns to exact her vengeance. Some three centuries and change later, Leonard Nimoy lookalike Alan (Darryl Wells) is buying some books on witchcraft at the local university bookstore, where his girlfriend Jill (Anitra Walsh) is assisting with a book drive. They briefly discuss the psychology course that they are taking from Professor “Mac” Stuart (Elston again) and make plans to attend one of his parties/seminars that evening. After Alan leaves, Jill discovers a real spell book, later identified as the Red Book of Appin. That evening, she brings the book to the meeting and encourages her friends and classmates, including horndog Harry (Jack Gardner) and ditzy Sharon (Barbara Brownell), to participate in a ceremony outlined in the book: summon a witch.
When nothing seems to happen, the group disbands for the evening and Alan, unaware that Jill has been possessed by the witch, gives her a ride back to her dorm, shrugging off her strange behavior as a kind of joke. Jill returns to Stuart’s home and tells him the truth. Stuart had donated the Red Book, a family heirloom, to the book drive in the hope that it would be found and a ritual performed as a psychological experiment; after a few demonstrations of her power, Stuart and Alan realize that they have unleashed an old evil in modern times. While the possessed Jill seeks out and kills Harry and Sharon to complete a rite that will make her ruler of the world, Alan and Stuart work together to try to find a way to exorcise her possessor before it’s too late.
This is a fun little movie, and surprisingly impressive for a film made on such a small budget and with only local talent. The fun is mitigated in a few places by special effects failures (the fire that the possessed Jill uses in her rites at the wooded grove is no larger than a dinner plate, for instance) and some repetitiveness (the witch uses the same overlong invocation in a few separate scenes), but it’s obvious that all of the players involved are having fun, and that sense of bonhomie and good humor is infectious enough that it’s no trouble to get swept up in the moment.
I saw the film at the Alamo Drafthouse’s weekly Terror Tuesday event in Austin, and the reels themselves were provided by the American Genre Film Archive, which is committed to preserving little oddities like this. Host Joe Ziemba noted that the film had never been checked out from the archive since its induction, and that only a few dozen people had seen the film in its original release. Although the quality of the 35mm print was imperfect (some parts of the film itself had actually turned to dust, resulting in a few skips in the narrative and a blank screen), it was still a great viewing. The entirety of Mark of the Witch appears to be available on YouTube, so viewing it in your own home is not only easy, but highly recommended.
A witch movie set in the groovy late-Sixties, with a bunch of awe-shucks college kids, putting aside their beach blankets for a night to muck around with witchcraft.
The enchanted charms are said to attract positive energies and repel negative influences. In order to activate the powers of the amulet, the wearer must perform a ritual involving the recitation of sacred words and the visualization of their desired outcome. This ritual is thought to establish a connection between the wearer and the amulet, allowing its powers to be channeled and utilized. Many people who possess the Heart of Dsmballa amulet claim to have experienced its benefits firsthand. They speak of avoiding accidents, overcoming challenges, and encountering favorable circumstances after wearing the amulet. Some even attribute their overall success and prosperity to the amulet's influence. Though the existence of supernatural powers is a matter of personal belief, the Heart of Dsmballa amulet continues to be sought after by those who are drawn to its legend and the possibility of its magical abilities. It remains a symbol of protection and good fortune, attracting both collectors and those who seek to enhance their lives with its alleged powers..
Reviews for "Enhancing Your Love Life with the Heart of Dsmballa Amulet"
1. John - 2 stars - The Heart of Dsmballa Amulet was incredibly disappointing. The storyline was weak and unoriginal, filled with predictable plot twists and one-dimensional characters. The writing style was also lackluster, with repetitive phrases and a lack of descriptive language. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read that failed to capture my interest.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot stress enough how much I disliked the Heart of Dsmballa Amulet. The premise had potential, but it fell flat in execution. The pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed, confusing action scenes. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I found myself skimming through pages just to finish the book, hoping for some improvement that never came.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Heart of Dsmballa Amulet, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The world-building was practically non-existent, leaving me confused about the setting and its rules. The protagonist lacked depth and made unrealistic choices throughout the story. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and unnecessary, adding nothing to the overall plot. I was left disappointed and unsatisfied by this book.