Legend of the Witches (1970) & Secret Rites (1971) [DVD + Blu-ray)

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Getting It Straight in Notting Hill Gate (1970, 25 mins): spaced-out sitars, Blue Beat 45s and the prog-rock grooves of Quintessence soundtrack this up-close flashback to Notting Hill Gate in 1970.

The investigation into a haunted house is about as persuasive as some hokey ghost-hunting TV show, but the black mass proved far more compelling, as did the segment showing scrying, where a coven member strives to glimpse into the future. Looking like a cross between James Hunt and Captain Kronos, John Goodfellow wards off the Satanists, brandishing his cross at them until they cower. The use of cord to tie up members and the sword to cut these cords, is however, significant in modern witchcraft, and other depictions of events in the performance of the mass’, seem accurate as far as I can tell.

A visual exploration into the origins of witchcraft in the UK and in particular the demystification of symbolism still embedded today within many modern religious artefacts and rituals. Although a lesser known actress staring in Up Pompei, 1969 and The Morecambe and Wise Show, 1968, Penny’s playing to the camera with pouting looks and stylised standing often give her away.

This remastered version of the film is of good quality which makes the most of Leigh’s beautiful cinematography of the countryside both in daylight and under moonlight. It takes place outdoors with an emphasis on the four primeval elements of earth, air, fire and water.Online since 2010 it is one of the fastest-growing and most respected music-related publications on the net. Overall, the film is generally shot and executed in good taste even where some of the depictions and scenes take a little too much artistic licence. Although nice to see, it is difficult for the director to fully encapsulate the significance of these objects on film and the shot is simply a scan over objects as the narrator goes on to talk about spells and the doll effigies with pins stuck into them. Other extras include an interview with ‘father of Wicca’ Gerald Gardner from TV documentary Out of Step, 1957 in which he attempts to dispel the blackened view of witchcraft with reluctance from its interviewer, journalist Dan Farson.

Leigh never established a real career in mainstream cinema but his next movie, a sex farce named Games that Lovers Play (1971) did star future national treasure Joanna Lumley. Before a minute is on the clock, he has managed to notch up some full frontal nudity accompanied by a gasp!

My inner hippy found it fascinating until my inner punk surfaced the moment Quintessence began performing the track that gave the documentary its title. As she emerges from Notting Hill Gate Underground station, she looks like she could be on her way to a modelling assignment for Nova. Sharing the secrets of initiation into a coven, divination through animal sacrifice, ritual scrying, the casting of a ‘death spell’, and the chilling intimacy of a Black Mass. Having had an almost obsessive interest in witchcraft as an early teenager, it is not surprising that I was keen to watch this film. It is a home for UK cinematic oddities, offering everything from exploitation documentaries to B-movies, countercultural curios and obscure classics, If it's weird, British and forgotten, then it's Flipside.

The dark, evil witches recoil from the gleaming symbol of Christ, and are forced to suffer for their evil doings. Legend of the Witches(1970, 85 mins): The originally X-rated film documentary which looks in detail at previously hidden magic rites and rituals. However, I suspect it is simply the style of the time, particularly for educational films which often resemble the ramblings of an old professor, deep in thought with no real acknowledgement of an audience.With its atmosphere and visuals, this really does come off as one of the better British horror films from this period. For the majority of film, recreations of rites and rituals are kept tasteful, giving the whole film a sense of educational value.