The shadowy witch outfit is an iconic and popular choice for Halloween or other costume events. It typically consists of a long, flowing black dress or cloak, often made of silky or velvet material. The dress may have a hood or high collar, adding to the mysterious and spooky vibe of the outfit. One of the key features of the shadowy witch outfit is its dark color palette. Black is the predominant color, representing darkness and the occult. It creates a sense of mystery and lends an air of mystique to the wearer.
The “witch” in each story is Mangano herself. In Visconti’s “The Witch Burned Alive,” Mangano stars as the bewitchingly beautiful Gloria, who is fabulously and horrifically deconstructed and vilified by her lady friends when she passes out from too much drink. As they pretend to remove her headdress and makeup to treat her illness, the women can’t help but make catty remarks about the lengths Gloria has gone to for beauty while the men verbally spar with one another—and their wives—in order to take advantage of Gloria. The end result is a brutal commentary on people—females, in particular—being taken advantage of and used as a commodity without regard to their personal feelings.
While the film is presented in its original Italian mono soundtrack English subs are available , Arrow has included the English language soundtrack for the Clint Eastwood episode, using his own voice. Things pick up with Rossi s The Sicilian Belle, where Mangano has her heart broken, setting off a chain reaction of escalating revenge and shotgun deaths in her small village.
It creates a sense of mystery and lends an air of mystique to the wearer. The outfit may also incorporate other dark colors such as deep purples, blues, or greens, further enhancing the witchy aesthetic. Accessories play a crucial role in completing the shadowy witch look.
Blindspot 2016: The Witches (1967)
I usually save the weirdest films for earlier on in my Blindspot series posts, and this film is no exception. The Witches (1967), also known in its native Italian as Le Streghe, is presented by Dino de Laurentiis. It is a film composed of five short films within, each by a different director. The films-within-films are as follows:
- “The Witch Burned Alive” is directed by Luchino Visconti and tells of a superstar actress who travels to a mountain resort, only to evoke jealousy from women and lust from men.
- “Civic Sense”, directed by Mauro Bolognini is a short story of a woman who offers to take an injured man to the hospital, through intense traffic in the bustling city of Rome.
- “The Earth As Seen By The Moon” is directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini, a comic story about a widowed father and his son who are looking for a new wife and mother; when they find a deaf-mute woman on the side of the road, hilarity ensues.
- “The Sicilian Belle”, by Franco Rossi, tells of a woman who confesses to her father of a man who makes a pass at her, and whose father seeks revenge in true Sicilian fashion.
- “An Evening Like The Others” is directed by Vittorio De Sica, and is where a bored housewife attempts to explain to her husband (played by Clint Eastwood) that he’s not as romantic as he used to be.
I chose to watch The Witches as part of my Blindspot series because it’s been on my radar for quite some time. I’m always intrigued by 60s Italian cinema, which seems to have a very strange sense of humour, killer music, and always the most beautiful costume design. I’m also determined to watch more films by Pier Paolo Pasolini this year, as all I’d seen of his work before The Witches was Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975), which was an experience, to say the least.
The Witches is a funny kind of film. Each short film within the film as a whole has a distinctly different feel from the one before it, given the different directors. It feels like you’re watching different episodes of a very strange television series when watching, given that the one commonality between each short film is actress Silvana Mangano. Mangano gives a thoroughly versatile performance in each short film, to the extent where in some of the short films she appears initially unrecognisable, appearing to contort her body to suit each role. Being the one commonality between each short film, she carries the overall film well, with such a wonderful range of emotions and personalities – vulnerability, assertiveness, insanity, amongst many others. The Witches is truly an experiment in not only short film composition, but character acting and versatility.
I think my favourite of the short films was “The Earth As Seen From The Moon” by Pasolini. It’s a comic short, beginning with a humorous introduction written by Pasolini himself, and an unfortunate tombstone with a lot of spelling errors etched on it. The story is weird and overtly silly in an almost pathetic manner, with some very colourful and comical costume design. This is in contrast with some of the other shorts which can be delivered deadpan or in a melodramatic manner. There’s so much variety to be found in The Witches, but Pasolini’s short is the only one with a really silly sense of humour. As for which short film was my second favourite, it would probably be a tie between “The Witch Burned Alive” and “An Evening Like The Others”; strong female roles which bookmark the film, and display excellent performances by Mangano. The short films are set to music by classic Italian composer Ennio Morricone which recalls a very specific place and time; so European, so 60s.
The Witches is an adventure in absurdism, rendered in true 60s Italian style. Each short film is very different compared to the one before it, but each is enjoyable in their own way. Some may say that the sum of this film’s parts doesn’t amount to much, and that it is largely nonsensical; which could be true. But it’s a truly interesting film, experimental in style, continually testing its own boundaries in terms of storytelling, humour, and the portrayal and interpretation of female characters. Sylvana Mangano is the strong backbone of this film, eminently watchable, you can’t take your eyes away from her. It’s well worth also checking out a boyishly young Clint Eastwood in the final short film; this film being released just after the third and final of his epic spaghetti western Dollars Trilogy. For a strange and enjoyably vintage film-watching experience, look no further.
4/5
I couldn’t find a trailer for this, but view some footage from the film of Sylvana Mangano dancing here.
One of Arrow Academy’s most recent releases is a case in point. It’s an arthouse film. It’s also an anthology. It’s also a quintessentially 1960’s Italian film. And it’s entitled The Witches, though it has nothing to do with sorcery, witchcraft, or ugly, green-faced women stirring cauldrons of boiling liquid. First of all, it will probably alienate a certain group of viewers who will be expecting, based on the title, a horror film. Second, just how many American viewers are truly interested in 1960’s Italian arthouse omnibus films? You see what I mean.
A pointed hat is a classic choice, adding height and adding to the witchy silhouette. For a more dramatic effect, a wide-brimmed hat can be worn, casting the wearer's face in a shadow. Other accessories can include long gloves, a broomstick, a wand, or a book of spells. These props help to enhance the persona of the witch and add an element of authenticity to the costume. To add an extra touch of spookiness to the shadowy witch outfit, makeup and jewelry can be incorporated. Dark, smoky eye makeup with bold and dramatic colors can create an otherworldly look. Black or deep purple lipstick can add to the overall aesthetic. As for jewelry, black lace chokers, spider-themed earrings, or gothic-style rings can complement the outfit and add a sinister vibe. The shadowy witch outfit offers a versatile and eerie choice for costume enthusiasts. Whether worn for Halloween parties, themed events, or cosplay, this outfit embodies the mysticism and enchantment associated with witches. Its dark colors, flowing silhouette, and accessories come together to create a haunting and unforgettable look..
Reviews for "Magical makeup tips to complement your shadowy witch outfit"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the shadowy witch outfit. The material was cheap and poorly made, and the sizing was completely off. It looked nothing like the picture online and felt flimsy and uncomfortable. I ended up returning it because I couldn't imagine wearing it to any Halloween party or event. Save your money and look elsewhere for a better quality costume.
2. Jason - 1 star
I cannot express how unsatisfied I am with the shadowy witch outfit. It was a complete waste of money. The costume arrived with several missing pieces, and the ones that were included looked like they were thrown together in a hurry. The fabric was scratchy and took away from the overall spooky appeal I was hoping for. I would not recommend this costume to anyone looking for a well-made and visually striking witch outfit.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I purchased the shadowy witch outfit for a themed costume party, and I was extremely disappointed. The quality was subpar, and the fit was extremely poor. The seams started coming apart after one wear, and the costume overall lacked the dark and mysterious vibe I was expecting. I regretted my purchase and would not recommend this outfit to anyone who is looking for a reliable and visually appealing witch costume.
4. Michael - 3 stars
While the shadowy witch outfit had potential, it fell short in a few areas. The sizing was off, making it difficult to find the right fit. The costume itself seemed promising, but the fabric used was uncomfortable and itchy. On the positive side, the design was unique and interesting. However, I cannot overlook the flaws in fit and quality. I would suggest looking for other options before settling on this particular costume.