Season Of The Witch Blu-ray

This is the third of Arrow's new George Romero early releases and after watching this excellent disc package, I have to commend the Arrow group for doing such a thorough job. I haven't viewed SEASON for over a decade, but it's always left me with a sad, unsettling feeling following a screening. Romero had more control over this third feature, and his script writing excels here, providing an original story with a compelling female lead. Although told on a small scale, this may be the most mature and emotional film Romero ever produced. Watching this film makes you realize that George was an exceptional writer/director combination, and it's a bit of a shame that in the end, he was largely just known as a 'horror director'. Season of the Witch, or under the original title of JACK'S WIFE, is a solid, dark and unique drama by one of this country's most underrated talents.

I watched this years ago, and definitely needed to finally add it to the collection. Since this is Romero unfiltered by the mainstream. His take on feminism hits a little different today. On the surface it may seem pro feminism, but under the surface there seems to be a subtle warning as well. Witchcraft being the allegory for feminism is the opposite extreme of Joan’s raising. Opposite extremes are always just as bad as their counterpoint. There are many dream sequences, all of which foreshadow something. Compare the opening dream sequence to the initiation into the coven for some obvious parallels. Joan is warned about using it frivolously, a reality we are all living right now. The extended cut is just that, several extended scenes. Most aren’t earthshaking. The one new scene that stood out to me is a lead in to when Joan confronts Greg in the classroom. It hints at her true motivations that she wasn’t willing to admit to herself yet. In short. I appreciate this film now more than ever.