FAIRY GODMOTHER TYCOON WIDESCREEN FREE

When ''The Witches'' was released in England in late 1966, it garnered some fine reviews, but little box office. Nevertheless, the wrap up is a satisfying one, and audiences who go for this sort of thing will not feel cheated. From here, she escapes just in time to join a frenzied climax in which the activities of the local Coven resemble an Aerobics workout at a Rescue Mission, rather than a Black Mass. After a fairly lengthy stay, it's eventually restored. Alas, though the suspense is carefully cultivated from the beginning, things begin to get shaky at mid-point, when Mayfield lands in a nursing home, with her memory of the recent past gone. Director Cyril Frankel moves things along at a leisurely pace, abetted by some splendid photography and a suitably eerie score by Richard Rodney Bennett. Distinguished stage actor Alec McCowen appears as her rather ineffectual brother.

FAIRY GODMOTHER TYCOON WIDESCREEN FREE

Despite excellent performances by all, the film is stolen by film veteran Kay Walsh (Oliver Twist) former wife of director David Lean, who plays free lance writer Stephanie Bax to perfection.

The hand picked supporting cast, which includes such familiar faces as Leonard Rossiter (''Reginald Perrin'') Michele Dotrice, Shelagh Fraser ('Star Wars'') and, making her debut, as the target of ''The Witches'', Ingrid Boulting, here billed as Ingrid Brett. Fontaine, still lovely at 49, gives an incisive performance as the victimized teacher, who isn't sure at first whether or not she is imagining the disturbing events which surround her. However, it's not long before she begins to sense that all is not what it appears.

At first, the placid atmosphere and friendly local folk seemingly aid her attempts to overcome the past. Shortly after her subsequent breakdown, she accepts another teaching position in a small English village. Mayfield is still recovering from a traumatic experience in Africa, where, while teaching, she became the target of the local Witch Doctor.

She herself bought the rights to Norah Loft's ''The Devil's Own'' and brought it to Hammer, casting herself in the leading role of schoolteacher Gwen Mayfield. One of legendary production company Hammer Films lesser known titles, ''The Witches'' was Golden Age Star Joan Fontaine's last theatrical film. 22 October 2013 - 2 out of 5 users found this review helpful.

Fairy godmother tycoon widescreen