The film begins with text on the screen stating that in October 1994, three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods of Burkesville, Maryland, while shooting a documentary. A year later, their footage was discovered. What viewers are about to see is, in fact, that footage. After this introduction, we are introduced to the filmmaking crew of three: Heather Donahue (as herself), Michael Williams (as himself), and Joshua Leonard (as himself). Through the lens of a handheld camera, we witness the team packing and organising all the equipment for their upcoming trip to Maryland. They aim to film and investigate the rumours surrounding a terrifying legend, The Blair Witch.
The Blair Witch Project is primarily a horror film. Directed and co-written by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, the film has left a significant mark on the genre of horror and found footage. Myrick later co-wrote and directed films such as Solstice (2007) and The Objective (2008). Similarly, Sánchez continued to focus on horror, directing works like Exists (2014) and Satanic Hispanics (2022).
Fun fact: when audiences first saw this film in cinemas in 1999, due to the introduction and text on the screen, many believed that everything that occurred in the movie was 100% real. The fact that viewers thought the film was genuine is a testament to its impact at the time. Since then, many found-footage films have attempted to replicate the same concept and success as The Blair Witch Project.
The film opens engagingly, successfully introducing its three main characters as they prepare for their adventure. They pack their gear, gather equipment, and buy last-minute essentials such as food and snacks. After travelling to their destination, the crew begins filming interviews with local townspeople, asking them what they know about The Blair Witch and sharing various rumours in front of the camera. Eventually, the trio ventures into the woods, encountering many surprises and a life-changing experience with horrifying consequences.
I loved the opening. As we see the trio pack up, we gain insights into their skills and personalities. Their interactions with the locals provide viewers with a comprehensive understanding of The Blair Witch. These interactions are also well portrayed, affirming that something lurks in the woods that should be feared. Once the group enter the woods, there is a significant change in tone. Firstly, the horror aspect significantly increases as they wander around the creepy woods. The group occasionally makes creepy discoveries, like random sticks piled outside their tent. These moments and others like them are highly effective in creating a sense of horror.
Putting the horror aside, much of the story consists of bickering between the leads, which sometimes comes across as childish and frustrating. The constant bickering and dealing with minor issues, like getting lost in the woods, not only feel tedious but decrease the suspense. As for the found footage style, it may not appeal to everyone, mainly due to the amount of shaky camera work throughout the film. On the other hand, the sound design is impressive, especially during the haunting night shots.
Overall, whether you love or hate it, The Blair Witch Project had a significant impact worldwide. Using the ‘found footage’ style and a low-budget production achieved a remarkable level of realism that ultimately created a terrifying experience. In 1999, many viewers even thought it was a real documentary; given its unique style and quality, who could blame them? Upon my first viewing, I found The Blair Witch Project relatively slow and filled with lots of bickering. However, the pace gradually builds to a disturbing and haunting climax. Even when the sequence of events doesn’t make sense, the threat remains frightening. The film’s creation, introduction, horror concepts and sound design will always remain praiseworthy.
The Blair Witch Project (1999) is now available on Blu-ray, thanks to Imprint Film and Via Vision Entertainment!
FILM SCORE: 6.0/10
Published: 28th December 2024
Written by: Peter Walkden
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