Season of the Witch
Relativity Media | Release Date: January 7, 2011
5.1
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 166 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
39
Mixed:
87
Negative:
40
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5
JasonGoalieJan 9, 2011
A hearty "Meh!" for this film. Look, you KNOW what you're getting into whenever you purchase tickets to a Nicholas Cage film: a high-budget, low-brainpower crapfest. I mean, I'm seriously starting to think that this man picks his scripts byA hearty "Meh!" for this film. Look, you KNOW what you're getting into whenever you purchase tickets to a Nicholas Cage film: a high-budget, low-brainpower crapfest. I mean, I'm seriously starting to think that this man picks his scripts by throwing darts at a wall. Anyway, knowing the aforementioned full well before entering the theater, "Season of the Witch" wasn't THAT terrible. Maybe they could have shaved off 15 minutes in the middle due to a few boring scenes... But other than that, there's some entertaining, wacky, and explosive fun to be had. And the bad acting is so bad, it's good. Try to notice the completely discordant use of accents (or lack thereof) throughout the movie. For instance, Nick Cage (the most guilty actor of the bunch) has a classical English accent in some scenes, yet no accent whatsoever in others! Brilliant... In conclusion: yeah, it's a bad movie. But you KNEW that walking in the door. So have a sense of humor, and enjoy some butt-kicking crusaders take on the supernatural.… Expand
7 of 7 users found this helpful70
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10
aarjJan 17, 2011
Incredibly cliched and incredibly enjoyable. Nic's hair is difficult to get past, as is the appalling script, but it's actually likable, with plenty of attractive locations, a great performance by the female ?witch and a buddy-movie feelIncredibly cliched and incredibly enjoyable. Nic's hair is difficult to get past, as is the appalling script, but it's actually likable, with plenty of attractive locations, a great performance by the female ?witch and a buddy-movie feel between Nic Cage and Ron Perlman. It's undemanding but any film which opens with an old crone of a witch vomiting into a man's face gets my thumbs-up as a good night's mindless entertainment.… Expand
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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8
mwagamer16Jan 7, 2011
If you loved other classic nic cage films as Wicker Man and Ghost Rider then you will love Season of the Witch.. Ron Perlman is awesome as well and honestly if you go to movies to smell your own farts then go watch Black Swan and save someIf you loved other classic nic cage films as Wicker Man and Ghost Rider then you will love Season of the Witch.. Ron Perlman is awesome as well and honestly if you go to movies to smell your own farts then go watch Black Swan and save some more children.… Expand
3 of 9 users found this helpful36
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4
ShiiraJan 13, 2011
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Tituba's "Barbados songs" are best left to the imagination, but in Nicholas Hytner's adaptation of Arthur Miller's 1953 play "The Crucible", we see the black woman conjuring spells over a cauldron; we also see her disciples, languishing New England schoolgirls, who have gathered in the woods by moonlight for this secret assemblage with the expressed interest of quelling their unrequited passions, once and for all. Into the pot does each girl make her contribution to the love potion, mostly harmless fauna and flora, except for Abigail Williams(Winona Ryder), who brings a live chicken to the estrogen-heightened proceedings. Abigail smashes the bird on a rock, then smears the fowl's blood on her lips. In "Season of the Witch", a principled knight who leaves the Crusades(along with his pal Felson, played by Ron Perlman) after ruminating over the morality of killing innocent women and children(it finally hits him: hey, it's wrong!), dreams about his last victim(a woman that he speared in the chest), and in this delirious reenactment, she feasts on the blood gathered around her mouth, just like Abigail. Did the conscientious objector conjure this image on his own, or did the girl in the cage(Claire Foy), the alleged witch, put it there? John Proctor(Daniel Day Lewis) didn't believe in necromancy, and neither does Behman, which is how he allows himself to be manipulated by Anna, who convinces the runaway knight that the priest, Deblezar(Stephen Campbell), is the enemy. In this world, fourteenth century England, the church's hysteria, concerning the devil and the threat he poses to the inhabitants of the material realm, is warranted, because unlike the Massachusetts of 1692, magic exists; witches walk among the English people, many of them, victimized by the Black Plague. "Season of the Witch", as a result of having studied "The Crucible", plays topsy-turvy with the two camps: the accused(the women, the supposed witches) and the accusers(the church), when the film defies expectations when one of the sentenced women(in the film's opening scene), a confessor(unlike the Miller play, divulging one's guilt doesn't result in an automatic reprieve), turns into a demon after she is dragged out of the icy cold river water, the surprising aftermath of a public execution. It wasn't a senseless killing, after all. Whereas the prologue in the Hytner film(written by Miller himself) suggests the possibility, however slight, that the devil did reside in Salem, which to a certain degree, justifies the micro-proselytizing of the theocratic officials, the church in this "Lord of the Rings"-meets-"The Exorcist" mash-up is seen as totally in their right to round-up potential occultists for their kangaroo court. The witch hunt, with its allusions to McCarthyism, makes "Season of the Witch" a sort of apologist film for the red scare tactics plied by the U.S. senator on many Hollywood professionals in the nineteen-fifties, since the woman in the opening scene, and Anna, indeed do have something to hide. The church, so often portrayed as a patriarchal construct whose sole purpose is to keep robed men in power, in this otherwise forgettable and routine film, is seen as a heroic institution, vital even, since superstition(the root cause of all that goes wrong in John Proctor's world), in this cinematic domain, becomes almost indistinguishable from empirical observation. The devil isn't a psychological entity, something conjured up in the mind's eye of Abigail Williams, but rather, it's a physiological one, as seen in the monastery, home to the Key of Solomon(a book of incantations that contains a spell to break the plague), when the devil breaks loose from the girl's body.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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5
DarkCriticJan 13, 2011
Nicholas Cage and Ron Pearlman are not half bad in their roles,even though this creepy movie has not much interesting and all we could we see is a complete dull story with cheap visual effects.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
Teh_PwnererJun 28, 2011
My opinion is that this movie has been wrongly rated; The acting is alright, the story line is fairly interesting and the graphics were pretty good. It is a reasonable effort for Nicholas Cage and a fairly good job for Ron Perlman, they areMy opinion is that this movie has been wrongly rated; The acting is alright, the story line is fairly interesting and the graphics were pretty good. It is a reasonable effort for Nicholas Cage and a fairly good job for Ron Perlman, they are the only reason that the movie was moderately enjoyable; the other actors did a fairly satisfactory job. I enjoyed watching it and I recommend this to anybody who likes either Nicholas Cage or Ron Perlman and probably people who like the knight and armor/ dragon slaying kind of movies, its up to you if its worth to buy, but it is definitely worth renting it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
WTCC_GruntyFeb 5, 2012
If the Saturday morning pictures I remember going to as a child had allowed 15 rated movies to be shown this would have been one of them. It's 3:10 to Yuma set in medieval times, with some supernatural stuff thrown in. There's enough actionIf the Saturday morning pictures I remember going to as a child had allowed 15 rated movies to be shown this would have been one of them. It's 3:10 to Yuma set in medieval times, with some supernatural stuff thrown in. There's enough action to keep you interested to the end. An old style movie with decent effects and good actors. Claire Foy is particularly good, as is Ron Perlman. My advice is to watch, enjoy and forget. 8/10.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
xXAnthonyXxJan 15, 2011
Acting isn't all that great, an okay movie but, besides some eye-popping action scenes. There isn't nothing too special about this. Just an action movie with a few good spots. Worth a check once.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
evilhomer12345Jan 13, 2011
nick cage and Ron Perlman are a great combination. lots of action in the begining, then the mystery of the witch. is she a witch? is she good or evil? great movie with a sad ending.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
Amp191Jan 19, 2011
Solid movie. To be fair the script was a little weak at times. With a little more effort this could have been a total gem, but a good movie both ways.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
TheQuietGamerNov 21, 2011
A little rough around the edges do to some bad writing and far from greatness, but it's still enjoyable, the acting is actually really good, its got humor, action, and a little bit of mystery in the beginning, it's not going to be the mostA little rough around the edges do to some bad writing and far from greatness, but it's still enjoyable, the acting is actually really good, its got humor, action, and a little bit of mystery in the beginning, it's not going to be the most popular movie out there, and it's only going to be liked by a specific audience, but if your looking for a good movie for a rental this is a good choice.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
AntliaMay 20, 2011
This movie is horrible, but in a good way. Nicolas Cage is in it. That alone makes it a movie worth watching. The acting is horrible (also NC) and the movie looks rushed. Watch it anyways.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
sh831994Feb 16, 2011
Lets get the story straight. I really hate Nicholas Cage. He's let all his fame go to his head and he thinks anything he makes is pure gold when in reality most of it is crap. That being said, I went into this movie with zero expectations.Lets get the story straight. I really hate Nicholas Cage. He's let all his fame go to his head and he thinks anything he makes is pure gold when in reality most of it is crap. That being said, I went into this movie with zero expectations. That being said, it wasn't horrible. It kept me entertained. The acting as a whole is decent, nothing special from anyone. The special effects are surprisingly good, the ending fight was very cool to watch. That being said, there are glaring holes in this movie. For instance, some of the acting is just horrible(the supporting characters were just really, really bad. Also, during many parts in this movie, they are just talking, which I'm fine with, but there isn't a point to anything they're saying! If they actually had a point to what they were doing, it would be OK, but they don't. One more thing that was extremely stupid was if what happened was supposed to happen, then this whole journey they take could have been avoided. Overall, Season of the Witch is a movie I probably wont ever see again, but for a one time, popcorn flick its worth a shot I suppose.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
GoyankeesJan 11, 2011
Okay i have seen plently of either bad or just medicroe movies lately but this has to been one of the worst movies i have seen in the last few months. I mean where do i begin it is poorly paced, badly directed, badly acted (What happend toOkay i have seen plently of either bad or just medicroe movies lately but this has to been one of the worst movies i have seen in the last few months. I mean where do i begin it is poorly paced, badly directed, badly acted (What happend to Nicloas Cage), laughably written, only a few decent action scenes it's just a bad movie and not much fun of all. Nicolas Cage should either stop doing movies or fire is acting because i mean he's amazingly talented like in movies like Leaving Las Vegas, Con Air, The Rock, Adoption and even the National Treasure movies (which i think are actully pretty good chessy but really good). But he has made some really bad movies latley i mean The Sorcerer's Apprentince and Knowing was okay haven't seen Kick-Ass yet but Next, The Wicker Man, Bangkok Dangeours and now this are all terrible. Sorry i just had to put out my hatred for this movie really a waste of money.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
LillyanneS1Feb 26, 2011
This film I saw at the People's Choice Awards 2011 Watched it & fell head over heeles in love with it. Bring on Season Of The Witch 2 I liken this film to the TV series Merlin
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10
ChelleC1026Jan 22, 2011
I am never one to go by other's opinions, so even when my Husband pointed out that this movie ha horrific reviews, I love movies about witches, the supernatural, and anything related to such, so I decided to let myself be the judge an went toI am never one to go by other's opinions, so even when my Husband pointed out that this movie ha horrific reviews, I love movies about witches, the supernatural, and anything related to such, so I decided to let myself be the judge an went to see it anyway. I thought it was great. I think that there are certain people that will like it and certain people that go in just looking to tear it apart. In one comment that I read, a critic stated that Nicholas Cage transitioned back an forth between his own voice and an English accent, but I never heard this happen once. Most of the people who criticized the movie boldly stated from the get go that they hated Nicholas Cage. My question is, "Why Go?" If you want to see a neat story about witch slaying and demons, go, but if you don't like Nicholas Cage, don't bother, you will be picking it apart from the start, so why waste your money? It was a neat story with a good cast. I think it deserves a much better review than what it has been receiving… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
PurpleUrpNov 15, 2011
Such a great plot SotW had, but the choice of cast brought doom upon the film. Nic Cage and Ron Perlman are great but they look and sound out of place as they were in 20th century mode when they should've been in
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
theycallhimdrjJan 29, 2011
Is Nick Cage still acting? Who's giving him these gigs? Oh well. The film was entertaining enough so long as you have plenty of popcorn and pepsi. The young girl who plays the proposed witch is quite intriguing. But I would not choose thisIs Nick Cage still acting? Who's giving him these gigs? Oh well. The film was entertaining enough so long as you have plenty of popcorn and pepsi. The young girl who plays the proposed witch is quite intriguing. But I would not choose this movie over most other films at the theater.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
g3rt1Feb 15, 2011
What should i say about this, i was excepting this films to be at least as good as The Sorcerer's Apprentice, which it self was not a good film at all, but this goes worse than that. I can not imagine Nic in its new hair cut style :) I wentWhat should i say about this, i was excepting this films to be at least as good as The Sorcerer's Apprentice, which it self was not a good film at all, but this goes worse than that. I can not imagine Nic in its new hair cut style :) I went into the movie with hope. The trailer looked promising and I believed that the movie was very well cast, but I realized its not. For a story that should have been treated with a bit more of a linear perspective of Alexander's youth to his death (and everything in between), it hopped around like a suicidal jackrabbit. Changing position without warning and begging for something to quickly put it out of it's misery.
i worn everyone dont go to see this film, its not worth the money to spent about it. I hope Nic never do another film like this.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
Uncle_DaraisFeb 22, 2011
Its one of those Nic Cage movies that shows Nic Cage is really having a fun time, the best way i could find to describe it is it's a "Kingdom of Heaven" meets "Resident Evil" and they did a good job really pulling that kind of story off. iIts one of those Nic Cage movies that shows Nic Cage is really having a fun time, the best way i could find to describe it is it's a "Kingdom of Heaven" meets "Resident Evil" and they did a good job really pulling that kind of story off. i did make the mistake of seeing "Black Death" before but it really does show that kind of time line.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
KipnoskyMar 3, 2011
Perlman role could have been beefed up a bit more, but thankfully Cage kept his mooney-ness subdued. Nice atmospheric setting but the ending was overdone. But overall quite enjoyable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Khunter4382Aug 23, 2011
This wasn't as bad as I had expected. I didn't expect much, and proceeding with that disposition, I enjoyed the witchcraft, demonic possessions, and flashy special effects. The "witch" was an interesting character and this film does well inThis wasn't as bad as I had expected. I didn't expect much, and proceeding with that disposition, I enjoyed the witchcraft, demonic possessions, and flashy special effects. The "witch" was an interesting character and this film does well in confusing the audience sentiment towards her. Cage occasionally sounded like he was trying to pull off some kind of English accent at times, and it was not attractive. However, as always, Cage does try hard in every role he attempts, and I found a bit of enjoyment throughout this film. What was with the never-ending, relentless, unapologetic multi-battle opening sequence all about? I'm glad I watched it at home however.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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0
boxenford92May 14, 2011
Its pretty close to impossible to like this film. Of course i respect all reviews but this film was not the best way to start a new year of trips to the movies. It was overly cliched and dull. And the acting was terrible except for RonIts pretty close to impossible to like this film. Of course i respect all reviews but this film was not the best way to start a new year of trips to the movies. It was overly cliched and dull. And the acting was terrible except for Ron Perlman who in my opinion was the only entertainment i got out of this film… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
BeKJul 11, 2011
Even though many people consider this a very bad movie, I would very much disagree. Not a summer blockbuster or anything like that, but still a film worth seeing. Nicolas Cage, and his not very admired choices of movies, played a very strongEven though many people consider this a very bad movie, I would very much disagree. Not a summer blockbuster or anything like that, but still a film worth seeing. Nicolas Cage, and his not very admired choices of movies, played a very strong role, as a protector, a crusader, and I might add he did a fairly good job, even though he can do a lot better. As an example "Face to Face". In general it's a history type movie showing the crusades, combined with magic and death, this is the very short version. See it, and you'll find out that if you enjoy films having the characteristics mentioned earlier you will be impressed, at least in two or three action phases. Not incredible special effects, but well and off a movie which will probably be forgotten sooner than you can say. Underestimated from every aspect, but as a conclusion not that bad. Not much more to say, see it, rate it, and move on.… Expand
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6
mbrowndJul 15, 2011
A Typical Nicholas Cage movie. All throughout the movie, you are slightly confused until you witness the mediocre graphics of lucifer (who speaks perfect english, by the way). Although I found the movie slightly bias against the CatholicA Typical Nicholas Cage movie. All throughout the movie, you are slightly confused until you witness the mediocre graphics of lucifer (who speaks perfect english, by the way). Although I found the movie slightly bias against the Catholic Church (an understatement really), the message was good. And that only message is this: Decide on a different movie.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
AkkharAug 18, 2011
Before Reviewing I am saying that Nico Cage is my favorite actor !
This type of road movie (By this type i meant darker tone ) is my favorite ! Although this movie had my favorite actor Cage it had many problem ! story and Directing was weekBefore Reviewing I am saying that Nico Cage is my favorite actor !
This type of road movie (By this type i meant darker tone ) is my favorite ! Although this movie had my favorite actor Cage it had many problem ! story and Directing was week and failed to create suspension !

Story : .7/2 (Could be lot better and awesome story)
Directing : .8/2 (Failed the make it a good movie)
Acting : 1.3/2 (Nico Cage is the best) Sound : 1.1/2 (Not that good)
Edit & Effect : 1.5 (The most positive side of the movie)
OVERALL : 5.4… Expand
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3
ajh0795Oct 29, 2011
i really enjoyed the start to this film. and then came the oh so hate-able nic cage, the movie was so dull, cheap looking and it just dissapointed overall
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6
ZilcellApr 13, 2012
I don't really find the film as much low budget as everybody is saying. The acting is not as convincing as it could have been. The story has some flashy moments. It is somewhat worth watching.
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2
JoshCampbellDec 1, 2011
They picked a good location I'll give it that but that won't help that much considering how bad this movie really was. I would call it a supernatural thriller that is not that thrilling. It looks cheaply made, you can tell by how Nicolas CageThey picked a good location I'll give it that but that won't help that much considering how bad this movie really was. I would call it a supernatural thriller that is not that thrilling. It looks cheaply made, you can tell by how Nicolas Cage is speaking, he always seems to be shouting. I'll put it this way; costumes production and design are good. Editing and visual effects are definitely not. The cinematography was crude with the film being dark, dusty and foggy in almost every scene. The dialogue wasn't bad but the fact that it changes from Let's drink to Kill her doesn't really make it well played out. It has a B movie aesthetic to it. The film was pieced together terribly with bad cliche's. They put the genre of the movie in between horror and historical thriller, a mix that doesn't go together really well. They made the movie too long by putting unneeded dialogue and bad special effects that delay the overall story line. Cut out all that and it might just catch somebodies eye without them leaving the movie theatre with a frown on their face.… Expand
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4
giraffeluver88Jan 2, 2012
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Plot seemed interesting at first, but there is as just as much as historical accuracy in the dialogue during the scenes inside fighting The Crusades as in a bad Titanic flick. The visuals were little above par and the acting (admittedly) wasn't bad. Hell, this could have been a "so bad it's good" pass-over. The only thing that felt forced was the character introductions, and the pacing was moving along so quickly. The part where the new comer alter boy joins the quest, was so cliched. Just fight with blandly arranged choreography and go. Anyway the ending was flat-out horribly cheesy, I don't seem to take the main antagonistic demon to be taken seriously. Overall it wasn't bad, but it could have gotten worse....… Expand
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5
ILHMJan 31, 2013
Two crusading knights receive the task of transporting a suspected witch through treacherous terrain so that she may stand trial before the church after being accused of causing the Black Plague in SEASON OF THE WITCH. The premise seemsTwo crusading knights receive the task of transporting a suspected witch through treacherous terrain so that she may stand trial before the church after being accused of causing the Black Plague in SEASON OF THE WITCH. The premise seems thrilling enough, but SEASON OF THE WITCH is sabotaged by its incompetent special effects and unworthy cast. The period setting which director Dominic Sena tries to convey is drowned out by poorly computerized environments that generate a sense of artifice on screen. What makes matters worse are the laughable performances by Nicholas Cage and Ron Perlman, who can't be bothered with simple things like diction or accent when it comes to creating a convincing 14th-century character. Sena doesn't allow for much suspense when we are quickly given glimpses into the witch's powers, leaving behind a long and perilous viewing experience instead. For a superior take on the same theme, be sure to check out Christopher Smith's BLACK DEATH from 2010.… Expand
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4
tterchMay 1, 2012
Boring and predictable is all I have to say regarding the story. I was expecting way more out of the cast then this snore. I can't even say anything else, it was just that bad.
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1
BrianMcCriticAug 22, 2013
This film is so dopey and is just boring. What is Nick Cage and Ron Pearlman doing here? They should have fired their agents as soon as they got the script. F
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2
SchnitzelPoofMar 16, 2018
I honestly can't understand who thought this film needed to be made. It doesn't say anything new, or important; it's not done particularly well - in fact, the effects are so terrible, I had to wonder if they spent all their budget on NicolasI honestly can't understand who thought this film needed to be made. It doesn't say anything new, or important; it's not done particularly well - in fact, the effects are so terrible, I had to wonder if they spent all their budget on Nicolas Cage. Now, he does do a pretty good job, considering the general catastrophe that passes for a plot in this film, but it's just not enough to make for a passable experience.
The worst is the film's utter disregard for basic details: the Knights Templar did NOT go to combat ON FOOT. They did not WALK all the way to the middle east, which does NOT all look like the Sahara desert. They also did not WALK all the way back to Europe. Was there no budget for a single bloody horse - real or digital - to appear on screen?! Did ANYONE in the production team hear of that mythological body of water called the Mediterranean, and the advent of ships?
If the film makers wanted to insult Christianity, and/or the Crusades, and/or the Inquisition, well, take a number, stand in line, and you're about a century too late anyway. Instead, all you have insulted is the viewer's intelligence.… Expand
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4
Jack_SunshineSep 10, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Somewhere in medieval Europe, three women are sentenced to death as penalty for witchcraft, then hanged and drowned for their crimes. All our preconceptions about the brutality and futility of the classic witch trial are brought to the forefront, as the youngest begs for mercy.

The first scene is an introductory vignette of misdirection, as one of the hanged women returns to life and dispatches the sentencing priest. In this universe, the presence of actual witches and demons and the success of biblical incantations in suppressing them lends credence to the church's claims, and makes them somewhat justified in their precautions.

The story stars Nicolas Cage, who has nothing if not a varied filmography. Here, he appears as Teutonic knight named Behman, who returns from the crusades with his friend and comrade Felson (Ron Perlman) to find his homeland ravaged by the Black Death. The scene is set for the duo though a montage of battles chronicling the decades long Crusade, through desert, snow, day and night, all of which seem to be shot on a soundstage, in contrast to the later Alpine location shoots. The characters become disillusioned with the senseless killing, and decide to abscond and return home.

It's not particularly good, but it is entertainingly over the top. Behman and Felson are swiftly recruited to escort a young woman, Anna (Claire Foy), who has confessed to witchcraft, to a monastery where she will stand trial, and become the subject of a ritual designed to halt the onslaught of the plague. They assemble a fellowship that pales in comparison to any Lord of the Rings movie, and set off on a road fraught with peril, through the oppressive forests of Styria (now modern day Austria and Slovenia).

The intention is really to create more of a horror picture than a historical action adventure, as evidenced by the dark colour palette, the central European setting full of Gothic spires and dense forests, and the frequents sights of the afflicted, covered in grim pustules. The genre is further cemented by a cameo from veteran horror star Christopher Lee.

Director Dominic Sena worked with Cage on Gone in 60 Seconds (2000). He was criticised as being a boring director then, and regrettably does little to shift this label now. Thematically, the two works couldn't be further apart, so his ambition is to be admired. Yet the studio was unimpressed with test screenings, and the film was re-edited before release, with some scenes re-shot with a different director, the uncredited Brett Ratner, of Rush Hour and Prison Break fame.

It's a shame, because the rest of the production is actually very high quality, with convincing sets, costumes, and fight choreography. The overall darkness of the film, and the atmosphere of deep forests and abandoned villages, effectively gives the entire piece a foreboding overtone.

The main 'victim' of the piece is Anna, who we are meant to side with as the innocent receiving end of the church's unforgiving stance against witchcraft. After all, her 'confession' was eked out under torture. But flashes of violence and surprising strength belie a darker streak within her. Different members of the group react to her accordingly: the young squire Kay would see her released, whilst unscrupulous guide Hagamar favours killing her swiftly, to end a futile quest. Behman, weary of death and killing, remains ambiguous, focusing on holding the group together.

Again, misdirection is the intention of the film, and it's hard to know what to make of Anna. She saves one member of the group from certain death, but summons wolves to savage another. On some level, she seems to be passing judgement based on the level of trust each of her captors affords her, which itself is unsettling enough to rob her of her little sympathy and paint Kay as a naïve idealist.

Half the time, characters debate the virtues of honour or the church, in typical pseudo medieval Hollywood language. The rest of the time they delve into American colloquialisms. Of course, this is an attempt to write the friendship and banter between Cage and Perlman; it's just not very convincing. Or at least it might be in a buddy cop movie, and not an ominous, medieval environment, heavy with religious symbolism. The film takes itself too seriously the rest of the time to justify the style of humour.

On the other end of the spectrum, Cage gets some of my favourite lines (not necessarily for the right reasons), delivered completely deadpan: “There is no hope here. Only plague.” Say what you will about Cage, but he definitely has entertainment value.

Really, the film’s indecisiveness is the main problem, as the film makers do not seem to know whether they are making a dark and suspenseful thriller, or a buddy road movie. A film squarely in the middle achieves neither. The script too, lets everybody down. It’s certainly watchable as a B-movie romp, so it is perhaps fitting that I viewed this film in its natural home of late night television.… Expand
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6
ba01Dec 26, 2014
The movie may not be the best but still better than many
battle moment was bad else ok
enjoyed the beautiful scenario
though the story could have been better
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7
johnbinghamMay 13, 2016
Don't be fooled by the star power. This is a simple horror puzzler and a good one. It's about how you are feeling about the witch and what would you do in their shoes. It's a quest/journey story too... So, not a Hollywood blockbuster atDon't be fooled by the star power. This is a simple horror puzzler and a good one. It's about how you are feeling about the witch and what would you do in their shoes. It's a quest/journey story too... So, not a Hollywood blockbuster at all, but a low key twisty indie horror road trip with tension and some complexity that worked for me. I don't usually like supernatural movies, but this one felt genuine to me. I feel like this was marketed to blockbuster or dragon-slayer audiences, and it isn't that. It is more about the mixed feelings you have about the witch. I thought it did a better job than the much better rated "Witch" 2016 at that.… Expand
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7
JP32Nov 3, 2018
It delivers exactly what it promises. I go into a movie called Season Of the Witch looking for two things: Medieval action and a Halloween-like atmosphere. I got both in spades, and for that I am more than grateful I gave this disaster a try.
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