Watch Witchcraft '70

Witchcraft '70 is a 1969 documentary-style film that explores the world of witchcraft and the occult. The film is hosted by Italian writer-director Alberto Bevilacqua and takes its audience on a journey to different parts of the world to explore the varied practices of witchcraft. The film opens with a warning to viewers about the content they are about to witness, emphasizing that it may be unsettling for some. From there, Bevilacqua introduces viewers to Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan, who provides some historical context for witchcraft, explaining that it has existed in some form or another for thousands of years.

One of the first stops on the journey is Haiti, where the practice of voodoo is explored. The film shows practitioners of voodoo performing rituals and making offerings to spirits, while Bevilacqua narrates about the beliefs and history of this religion. The film then moves on to South America, where Bevilacqua visits a spiritual healer and takes part in a traditional ceremony involving psychedelic drugs.

The film also features interviews with various experts in the field of witchcraft, including renowned British occultist Alex Sanders and American writer and poet Robert Graves. Throughout the film, Bevilacqua asks these experts about their beliefs and their understanding of the history of witchcraft.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Witchcraft '70 is its graphic footage of various rituals and practices. Viewers are treated to depictions of naked women being whipped in front of altars, animals being sacrificed, and participants engaging in sexual acts. These scenes are presented without any censorship, making for a rather shocking viewing experience.

As the film progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the filmmakers have a particular perspective on witchcraft. They seem to view it through a mixture of fascination and revulsion, at times highlighting the beauty and mystery of these practices, while at other times depicting them in a starkly negative light.

For instance, some of the footage of voodoo ceremonies is presented in a romantic and poetic way, emphasizing the spirituality and connection to nature that is inherent in this religion. However, other scenes, such as those showing participants drinking the blood of chickens, are clearly meant to shock and horrify viewers.

One of the most memorable sequences in the film takes place in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Bevilacqua walks through the streets, observing the hippie culture that was flourishing at the time. He interviews a young woman who claims to be a witch, and the film shows her performing a ritual in a park. This scene is particularly intriguing because it captures a moment in time when the counterculture was exploring new forms of spirituality and experimenting with new ways of living. It also serves to illustrate the film's overarching theme of exploring the boundaries between the sacred and the profane.

Overall, Witchcraft '70 is an interesting and at times disturbing look at the world of witchcraft and the occult. Its graphic depiction of various rituals and practices may shock some viewers, but it is an important document of a time when people were openly exploring different forms of spirituality and experimenting with new ways of living. While the film may not offer a comprehensive or balanced view of the subject matter, it is certainly a fascinating snapshot of a moment in time.

Witchcraft '70 is a 1970 documentary with a runtime of 89 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.