Included with the far superior Legend of the Witches on the BFI Blu-ray release, this is not without interest but not made with much enthusiasm. At least not going by the drearily delivered narration or the incredibly bored sounding Alex Saunders, who seems to drone on throughout the film in the same monotone. Derek Ford is aware of what the punters want, however, and despite all efforts to make this seem as dull as possible, he does ensure that we have plenty of bare flesh and colourful scenes.
5 Reviews
A weirdly absorbing film, though it's difficult to work out exactly what its makers intended.
barnabyrudge5 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Documentary or mockumentary? That's a question hanging over Derek Ford's weirdly fascinating film about modern-day witchcraft. On the one hand there's real-life "king of the witches" Alex Saunders, taking himself oh so very seriously – this is, after all, his big chance to clear up widespread misconceptions about his witchcraft activities. But on the other hand there's Ford's influence behind the camera – is he reporting honestly and earnestly about witchcraft? Or is he relishing the exploitative nature of the subject, and sensationalising it with tongue very much in cheek? After viewing the film I'm still not entirely sure, but a glance at Ford's filmography – with its frequent leaning towards sex comedies and other sexploitation items – draws me towards the latter.
In a deliberately camped-up opening we see a debauched orgy held at a remote château populated by witches. An innocent girl is dragged into the château, but saved from humiliation at the hands of those darned witches by her dashing lover. Cut to Alex Saunders, an actual modern day witch who rues modern culture's prejudices towards his beliefs. We then follow the exploits of Penny, a young hairdresser who wishes to join Saunders' coven. After meeting Saunders in a pub in Notting Hill, Penny goes through a bizarre initiation ritual and comes to learn what it takes to be a real witch. All this is narrated by Lee Peters, in a tone more suited to reading out football scores than informing us about the true face of witchcraft.
The film is definitely a fascinating snapshot of a period and set of beliefs beyond the ordinary. It is interestingly shot and contains an agreeable score by The Spindle. Whether truthful or totally fictional, the film's information is certainly absorbing if taken at face value. But ultimately it's very hard to escape the conclusion that Saunders and Ford have totally opposing motives for making the film. This can be illustrated no better than in the ritual scenes. All the assembled witches strip naked – Saunders clearly thinks nothing of this; he sees it as a natural thing, a mere requirement of the ceremony. But Ford is a sly old fox and knows full well the "value" of full frontal nudity when trying to attract an audience. His camera lingers just a little too long. It is this contrast in intention which ultimately stands out in Secret Rites, and leads me to the conclusion that it is sexploitation rather than information. Or, to answer my initial question, mockumentary rather than documentary.
In a deliberately camped-up opening we see a debauched orgy held at a remote château populated by witches. An innocent girl is dragged into the château, but saved from humiliation at the hands of those darned witches by her dashing lover. Cut to Alex Saunders, an actual modern day witch who rues modern culture's prejudices towards his beliefs. We then follow the exploits of Penny, a young hairdresser who wishes to join Saunders' coven. After meeting Saunders in a pub in Notting Hill, Penny goes through a bizarre initiation ritual and comes to learn what it takes to be a real witch. All this is narrated by Lee Peters, in a tone more suited to reading out football scores than informing us about the true face of witchcraft.
The film is definitely a fascinating snapshot of a period and set of beliefs beyond the ordinary. It is interestingly shot and contains an agreeable score by The Spindle. Whether truthful or totally fictional, the film's information is certainly absorbing if taken at face value. But ultimately it's very hard to escape the conclusion that Saunders and Ford have totally opposing motives for making the film. This can be illustrated no better than in the ritual scenes. All the assembled witches strip naked – Saunders clearly thinks nothing of this; he sees it as a natural thing, a mere requirement of the ceremony. But Ford is a sly old fox and knows full well the "value" of full frontal nudity when trying to attract an audience. His camera lingers just a little too long. It is this contrast in intention which ultimately stands out in Secret Rites, and leads me to the conclusion that it is sexploitation rather than information. Or, to answer my initial question, mockumentary rather than documentary.
Alex Sanders
JohnSeal10 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I don't have much to say about Secret Rites that hasn't been said by other user reviews, but I have to ask: has there ever been a less charismatic cult leader than Alex Sanders? With his pasty skin, balding pate, and lugubrious Lancashire accent, he exudes nothing in the way of charisma. Whether the 'rites' depicted in this film are genuine Wicca ceremonies seems unlikely, but Sanders treats everything which such seriousness that one supposes they might be. Dull but fascinating.
Wonderful
BandSAboutMovies3 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
When you say, "Sam, would you like to watch a movie about 1970's witchcraft from the director of I Am a Groupie, The Girl from Starship Venus and Blood Tracks?" the answer is always going to be yes.
This 47-minute movie is packed with narration from the women about to enter witchcraft and appearances by Alex Sanders, the English occultist responsible for founding the tradition of Alexandrian Wicca during the 1960s.
Sanders was known as the "King of the Witches," with his skyclad female followers - naked to the unoccult leaning - getting plenty of attention in the era of this film.
Watch as Penny - the girl who thinks she might make a good witch - joins Sanders' coven! Come now! Into my coven! To become Lucifer's child! And you also get to see a Wiccan wedding, which is notable for the amount of full frontal male nudity that it has. Flaccid dong, will you take this magickal childe?
This movie is absolutely awesome. I mean, it's no Witchcraft '70 - and what is, really? - but it's one of the more entertaining things I've watched as of late.
This 47-minute movie is packed with narration from the women about to enter witchcraft and appearances by Alex Sanders, the English occultist responsible for founding the tradition of Alexandrian Wicca during the 1960s.
Sanders was known as the "King of the Witches," with his skyclad female followers - naked to the unoccult leaning - getting plenty of attention in the era of this film.
Watch as Penny - the girl who thinks she might make a good witch - joins Sanders' coven! Come now! Into my coven! To become Lucifer's child! And you also get to see a Wiccan wedding, which is notable for the amount of full frontal male nudity that it has. Flaccid dong, will you take this magickal childe?
This movie is absolutely awesome. I mean, it's no Witchcraft '70 - and what is, really? - but it's one of the more entertaining things I've watched as of late.
Looks like fun
malcolmgsw5 January 2021
Well I have to say that the wedding shown looks far more entertaining than any I have ever been to. However what seems slightly strange is that none of the guests seems to be older than30.The commentary seems to have come from one of Ra nks Look At Life series.So this really is a hoot.
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