Burn, Witch, Burn

Norman Taylor, portrayed by Peter Wyngarde, is a dedicated psychology professor who specializes in belief systems and superstition. His life takes a dark turn when his wife, Tansy, played by Janet Blair, discovers a poppet hidden by a jealous colleague at work. This unsettling incident leads Norman to realize that Tansy has been practicing obeah, referred to as conjure magic in the film, a practice she had learned during her time in Jamaica. She fervently believes these charms have been instrumental in his swift career progression and overall health.

As a staunch rationalist, Norman is infuriated by Tansy’s reliance on superstition and insists she rid their lives of her magical items. However, things begin to unravel swiftly after this confrontation: a female student, played by Judith Stott, falsely accuses him of assault, and her furious boyfriend threatens Norman with violence. The tension escalates further when someone attempts to break into the Taylor residence amid a raging thunderstorm. In a desperate bid to protect her husband, Tansy nearly drowns herself, prompting Norman to reluctantly embrace the very practices he detests.

In a dramatic turn, Tansy, while entranced, attacks Norman with a knife. He manages to disarm her, confining her to her room. Upon noticing her unusual limp during the assault, Norman pieces together that the source of his misfortunes is none other than university secretary Flora Carr, played by Margaret Johnston. Flora, feeling vengeful over her husband Lindsay’s stagnant career compared to Norman’s success, resorts to witchcraft, endangering Tansy by setting their home ablaze.

Flora’s sinister plot thickens when she uses a form of auditory hypnosis, blaring through the university’s loudspeaker system, leading Norman to believe that a massive stone eagle atop the university chapel has come alive and is targeting him. Fortunately, Lindsay arrives just in time to shut off the loudspeaker, causing the phantom eagle to vanish. Tansy escapes the fire and reunites with her husband, who is no longer a disbeliever.

As the couple makes their escape from the campus, Lindsay notices the chapel doors ajar, a consequence of Norman’s panic. Despite Flora’s protests, he insists on securing them. Tragically, the statue of the eagle collapses from the roof and fatally strikes Flora, bringing a chilling close to the harrowing events.

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 01:01