Christopher Lee, renowned for his roles as Dracula and Saruman, had a fascinating connection to the world of witchcraft. Born in 1922, Lee's interest in the occult began at a young age. He was a firm believer in the power of the supernatural and actively studied witchcraft throughout his life. Lee's fascination with witchcraft influenced his acting career. He portrayed numerous occult characters, breathing life into them with his extensive knowledge and personal experiences. As Dracula and Saruman, his performances captured the essence of these characters' connections to dark magic and the supernatural.
The producing team of Max Rosenberg and Milton Subotsky begin their show in an academic setting, with a college professor who should never have been granted tenure. Eager to research witchcraft and impress her professor Alan Driscoll (Christopher Lee), pretty Nan Barlow (Venetia Stevenson) goes against the wishes of her brother Richard (Dennis Lotis) and boyfriend Bill Maitland (Tom Naylor). She uses her college vacation to drive North to the tiny New England town of Whitewood, where it is said that witches were burned almost 250 years before. There she meets Mrs. Newless (Patricia Jessel), the haughty owner of a small inn, and is warned by several locals, including young Patricia Russell (Betta St. John) that devil worship may still be active in the dark and foggy hamlet.
Playing off of Lee s taskmaster character are the film s young folks, who, considering it was filmed in the late fifties, are basically the original teenagers. From the moment we see Christopher Lee glare angrily at a student who scoffs at his theories on witchcraft, we know we re in one of those horror movies where certain things must be taken for granted.
As Dracula and Saruman, his performances captured the essence of these characters' connections to dark magic and the supernatural. Moreover, Lee delved deep into the history and practices of witchcraft. He was particularly interested in the witch trials of the past, researching extensively to understand the various methods, beliefs, and rituals associated with witchcraft.
Halloween Horror: The City of the Dead (1960)
Surely, 1960 deserves to be remembered as a banner year for horror films, much like 1968 or 1982 are for science fiction. Classics released that year include Psycho, Peeping Tom, and the French film, Eyes Without a Face, each of which upped the ante for the genre in different ways: by locating horror in collective fears about post-war alienation and suburban anomie or the role of cinema in portraying violence, transforming what kinds of images could be shown on screen. Other less-heralded horror films of 1960, such as John Llewellyn Moxey’s The City of the Dead, looked back, focusing on horror’s Gothic origins, but is nonetheless deserving of notice.
The City of the Dead, released in America as Horror Hotel, is, like yet another 1960 horror film, Mario Bava’s Black Sunday, steeped in the traditions of the Gothic genre, a story of witch burnings and misty, shadowcast graveyards. Shot entirely on a soundstage at Shepperton Studios in London, the film is, ironically, set in the New England town of Whitewood, a Massachusetts town off the beaten path, with a Salem-like past of witchcraft and witch burnings. Combining its witchcraft horrors with an investigation into the disappearance of a young woman, The City of the Dead is an agreeable and atmospheric Gothic horror treat.
Like Black Sunday, the film opens in the past with the burning of an accused witch, Elizabeth Selwyn (Patricia Jessell), who, along with her accomplice, the wonderfully named Jethrow Keane (played by the British character actor Valentine Dyall, whom you might remember, with his distinctive voice and odd affect, as the caretaker in Robert Wise’s The Haunting), commits her soul to Satan in order to have her revenge upon the town which has condemned her. Centuries later, we meet a professor, Dr. Alan Driscoll (Christopher Lee), who is teaching a course on the history of witchcraft in America to a mix of eager and skeptical young students. One of his students, Nan Barlow (Venetia Stevenson), decides to use her semester break to go and investigate the town of Whitewood and its witchy history for her term paper. With advice from Dr. Driscoll, a native of Whitewood, Nan heads off against her brother and boyfriend’s objections.
It might be a bit of a spoiler to note that at this point the film’s structure bears more than a passing similarity to its more lauded 1960 companion, Psycho, as Nan heads off to Whitewood and checks into the Raven’s Inn, the hotel built, as a plaque states, on the site of Selwyn’s death by burning. However, Nan discovers that witchcraft is more than just history in the isolated town. When her brother, Dick (Dennis Lotis), retraces Nan’s steps to Whitewood, it sets up a showdown on the Witches’ Sabbath with the coven that still rules the town.
The City of the Dead features a wonderful atmosphere, with classically spooky mise-en-scene of tombstones, old churches, and mist everywhere; fog machines were certainly working overtime in creating the streets of Whitewood, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable. This British production seems to capture the vivid black and white Gothic style like something straight out of an old EC horror comic from the era. While there are plenty of horror films to choose from the era, City of the Dead ‘s atmospheric sets look better than most, not trying to hide low production values or violence in its deep shadows, but use the shadow to generate a strong sense of foreboding. The camera is fairly restrained in movement, opting for clarity over elaborate movement or unusual compositions. Rather, the film benefits from the immediacy of a stage production, like walking into an old legend; it’s a clear embrace of artifice and expressionism over realism.
What is also enjoyable is the performances from British professionals like Jessell and Dyall, but especially a younger Christopher Lee, with his famous rich baritone here deployed in a rare American accent. As Dr. Driscoll, Lee is both seductive, drawing Nan into his studies with his authority and passion, but also aloof and superior. His scholarly insistence on the reality of witchcraft belies the true nature of his connection to Whitewood. Though not a Hammer production, the film was made during a period when Lee was building his reputation as a portrayer of all kinds of monsters and villains, such as Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster. Lee’s role here also in some ways anticipates his genial but sinister role as Lord Summerisle in the British cult classic, The Wicker Man. The older British stage actors are definitely more notable than the mostly nondescript younger cast, though Betta St. John catches the eye as a reverend’s granddaughter, and one of the only allies the heroes find in Whitewood.
But The City of the Dead, coming as it does in 1960, as horror films start to embrace modern horrors and leave the Gothic past behind, is also notable for its treatment of its material. While it’s similar to Psycho in structure, unlike that film, The City of the Dead is thoroughly indebted to the horror of the past. The witches coven of Whitewood are not merely a misunderstood group of neopagans, but honest to goodness devil worshippers who conduct virgin sacrifices in moonlit graveyards and are vulnerable to the shadow of the cross, which makes them burst into flame. In this way the film is no revisionist tale, treating supernatural content as completely real, despite Dick and Nan’s boyfriend, Bill, expressing an initial skepticism at Dr. Driscoll’s studies that would be the hallmark of later films of this kind (consider the initial responses to Regan’s possession in William Friedkin’s The Exorcist, for instance).
While the most lauded horror films of 1960 looked to more modern horrors in shifting the direction of horror away from the Gothic, The City of the Dead plays as a traditional take on the genre. If you’re looking for spades of atmosphere, Christopher Lee in his prime, and witches and fog shrouded graveyards for your Halloween viewing, you can’t really go wrong with this British classic.
The City of the Dead (UK, 1960)
Directed by John Llewellyn Moxey; screenplay by George Baxt, based on a story by Milton Subotsky; starring Christopher Lee, Denis Lotis, Patricia Jessell, Betta St. John, Venetia Stevenson, Valentine Dyall.
His study of these historical events allowed him to bring an authentic portrayal to his roles. Furthermore, Lee's love for witchcraft extended beyond his on-screen performances. He was an advocate for preserving the history of witchcraft and its misunderstood practitioners. Lee authored several books on the subject, shedding light on the true nature of witchcraft and dispelling common misconceptions. Despite his scholarly interest in witchcraft, Lee always maintained that he never practiced the craft himself. Instead, he respected it as a powerful force and sought to understand its roots and cultural significance. His immense knowledge and dedication to portraying witchcraft earned him a reputation as a knowledgeable authority on the subject. In conclusion, Christopher Lee's connection to witchcraft was rooted in his genuine fascination with the occult. Through his extensive study and performances, he brought authenticity to his roles depicting characters intertwined with dark magic. Lee's love for witchcraft transcended the screen, leading him to write about its history and advocate for its preservation. His contributions to the understanding and portrayal of witchcraft continue to captivate audiences to this day..
Reviews for "Christopher Lee's Witchcraft Diaries: An Inside Look at His Occult Secrets"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really excited to watch "Christopher Lee Witchcraft" as I am a huge fan of Christopher Lee's work. However, I was extremely disappointed with this film. The storyline was confusing and poorly developed, and the acting was subpar. The whole film felt disjointed, and I couldn't really connect with any of the characters. Overall, I found "Christopher Lee Witchcraft" to be a disappointing addition to Lee's filmography.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Christopher Lee Witchcraft" was a complete waste of time. The plot was unoriginal and predictable, and the acting was incredibly stiff and uninspiring. I couldn't help but cringe at the poorly written dialogue and the lack of chemistry between the actors. The special effects were also laughable and took away from any potential suspense or horror. Save yourself the trouble and skip "Christopher Lee Witchcraft".
3. Michael - 2/5 - As a fan of horror films, I was hoping "Christopher Lee Witchcraft" would deliver some scares. Unfortunately, I found it to be boring and lacking in thrills. The pacing was sluggish, and the jumpscares were predictable and cliché. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to fully invest in the story. The lackluster ending left me feeling underwhelmed. Overall, "Christopher Lee Witchcraft" failed to deliver the chills and excitement I was expecting.