The Witches (1966)

 "I see. What we admit, we believe. And what we believe, I suppose, could destroy us."

This is a most odd example of a peak period Hammer horror film. It totally eschews the usual tropes and fun- and even the usual familiar faces. Instead we get a typical subtly bleak script from Nigel Kneale and a quiet little supernatural thriller, riffing on both voodoo and witchcraft, heavily based on a highly impressive final ever film role for actual Hollywood star Joan Fontaine.

There's much to commend, too. Fontaine is superb, odd though it is to see her share a screen with both Betty Spencer and Reginald Perrin. The misdirection and final twist are well done, and the deep psychological horror of being trapped in a mental institution appears to good effect. It all takes place in a dreamlike mid-'60s Cornwall which adds deliciously to the atmosphere.

Still, it's a bit slow, and the voodoo elements do rather feel crowbarred in, effective though they are at times. The constant flashbacks to the African artifacts are also very awkward. The film is hardly without its flaws, and is certainly far from Kneale's finest work. And the direction is... well, workmanlike. Still, a decent film if perhaps no more than that.