Not just a good horror film...

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2006)

One summer in 1994 three student went on a trip to the Maryland woods to do a documentary about a local witch legend. After interviewing some people in the nearby town they head off into the woods and soon realize they got more than what they bargained for.
The film is shown completely through the character's cameras and you really get the feeling you are watching a documentary. The grainy images and shaky camera really make it seem like this is some amateur student project. Obviously the whole thing was made on a low budget, but hardly ever has a production so effectively exploited its own limitations to deliver a film. The first-person perspective puts you right out into the woods and you are essentially perceiving the horror unfold through a victim's eyes and ears. This is often annoying, as by the time the film is through you'll be craving for some answers to all the spooky goings on, but the cleverness of this film cannot be denied.
Also clever was the ad campaign for this film which made it seem like this was a real documentary or at least a recreation of real events. Many believed it for a time, I know, because I was one of those people. By the time I view the film I knew it was all a fake. A hoax as some would call it, but I believe that "hoax" is the wrong word here: "phenomenon" is much more suitable. More suitable, because that is what this production created, not just a horror film, but utter Blair Witch craze; from books on the "legend" to video games and even a modest budget sequel. I think many people felt cheated when they found out that the Blair Witch was all orchestrated and I did too, but I think it should be viewed as part of the fun and not some let down. Once again, there cleverness of this film is virtually undeniable.
Years back there were some infamous Italian horror films like the terrifying "Cannibal Holocaust" which also made use of the documentary look and orchestrated hype about "this really happened." Though Cannibal Holocaust was more convincing (the production team was arrested and had to prove in court that horrifying film was just a movie), this is still a very worthy addition the horror genre. Even if all the hype is set aside. 8/10
Rated R: profanity