Product Description

WHEN FOUR TEENAGE OUTCASTS BECOME EXPERTS IN THE ANCIENT ARTS OFWITCHCRAFT, THEY SEEK REVENGE ON THOSE WHO SLIGHTED THEM IN THE PAST.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4238 in DVD
• Brand: SONY PICTURES HOME ENT
• Released on: 2000-09-12
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Special Edition, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Georgian, Chinese, Thai
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 101 minutes

Amazon.com
If Buffy the Vampire Slayer represents the lighter side of high school as a macabre experience, here's a movie that asks the burning question, "What happens when angst-ridden teenagers develop supernatural powers?" More to the point, how do four outcast teenaged witches handle their ability to cast wicked spells on the taunting classmates who've nicknamed them "The Bitches of Eastwick"? The answer, of course, is "don't get mad, get even." That's about all there is to this terminally silly movie, which makes up for its ludicrous plot by letting its young female cast have a field day as they indulge their dark fantasies. Fairuza Balk is enjoyable as the most wicked of the witches, and is therefore the focus of the film's most dazzling special effects. But it's Neve Campbell from television's Party of Five who made this film a modest box-office hit, just before she became her generation's fright-movie favorite in Scream and its popular sequel. --Jeff Shannon

From The New Yorker
Andrew Fleming's 1994 "Threesome" was unjustly neglected, but his new film, about a coven of attractive teen-age witches and their abuse of power, has been concocted with real marketing savvy: it's perfect wish-fulfillment entertainment for the mall. Fleming invests the proceedings with a great deal of sensuous detail, and, while the schizophrenic screenplay, by the director and Peter Filardi-half teen comedy, half supernatural thriller-doesn't quite gel, a grab bag of terrific alternative rock helps it over the rough spots. The movie's principal asset, however, is an astonishingly unhinged performance by Fairuza Balk, who, with her mad mascaraed eyes and creepy line readings, casts a freaky showstopper of a spell. -Bruce Diones
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

These Girls Know Their Rites!
Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney) is the new kid in town, but even under the best of circumstances she has never been accepted by the popular crowd. At her new school, she falls in with a trio of other female misfits (Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True) who, it so happens, are trying to learn witchcraft and form their own little coven. When Sarah joins them to make it a quartet, they slowly develop multifold preternatural powers and learn how to focus and use them. With such abilities literally at their fingertips, it's not too long until the little coven, initially formed for self-protection and companionship, becomes an instrument for personal gain and revenge. Sarah soon realizes that one of her friends is evil to the core, and fearful of what THAT one may do with the group's newfound powers, she decides it's best to resign from the coven and thereby weaken the magic abilities of the others. But the coven has different plans, particularly regarding Sarah....

The sleeper hit THE CRAFT (1996) could've easily been played for camp, but it is instead a story of modern urban witchcraft that is both literate and emotionally powerful. The success of the film is due to Peter Filardi and Andrew Fleming's tight, well-written script, excellent direction from Fleming, and outstanding acting from principals Tunney, Balk, Campbell, and True. The supernatural elements of the story are handled carefully and earnestly, and witchcraft or the belief in it is never ridiculed or treated derisively. This keeps the tone of the film somewhat dark and edgy, which in turn creates an uneasy, spooky atmosphere that cues the audience to the fact that this is a serious horror film. Fleming wisely keeps the special FX to a minimum until the story's climax on the final reel, and he instead emphasizes the relationships in this group of dysfunctional, angst-ridden girls, well knowing that the primary target audience--to wit, teenagers--will easily relate to these characters and their normal desires and fears.

The Special Edition DVD from Columbia/Tri-Star offers THE CRAFT in anamorphic widescreen at its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The digital transfer is very good, with minimal filmic or digital artifacts. The disc also features an informative commentary with director Andrew Fleming, 2 featurettes, deleted scenes, and more. THE CRAFT is a cool horror film that most fans of the genre will enjoy, and the very reasonable price makes it easy for fans to add this DVD to their collections.

In the beginning...
With the incredible success of the television smash hit "Charmed" it seems only fair to remind people of that show's absolute beginning. It was a 1996 film entitled "The Craft" starring Neve Campbell(of "Scream" fame), Rachel True, an utterly gorgeous Robin Tunney in the lead role, and a fantastic casting choice of Fairuza Balk as a witch who eventually embraces the darkside of her art. This film was a pleasant surprise with some good acting, a plausible yet magical storyline which focuses almost entirely on the lives of four outsiders who find each other through "The Craft" of illusion and glamour. This isn't a scary film at all, unless you dislike snakes, bugs, worms, rats, etc. For that matter, a story like this, in retrospect, is an excellent idea for a television program. It works better in such a medium, but for the most part, it works here as well. This film is an essential pick-up for fans of the show "Charmed" and for anyone who celebrates "Girl Power." (pun intended) This is an enjoyable yarn that is, thanks to "Charmed," destined for Cult film status.

Take it for what it is...
I love this movie! It's charming, fun, and actually has a decent message behind all the special effects.

In response to people who were less than complimentary:
1. I am not the normal demographic for the film (my own high school days being far behind me).
2. Don't confuse Wicca and Witchcraft.
3. This is a Hollywood movie and a horror/comedy to boot. Are we holding it to higher standards than, say, "Big Trouble In Little China"?
4. If you don't think witchcraft is real, see number three.

5. If you think your religion was smeared or degraded, see number three.
6. If this isn't what "real" witches do, see number three.