Burn, Witch, Burn

Burn, Witch, Burn

Year: 1962

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Sidney Hayers

Horror

A brilliant and arrogant British professor becomes consumed by his wife's interest in mysticism. When he destroys her voodoo ritual kit, a dark and malevolent force is unleashed, threatening their lives and everything they cherish. The chilling horror film explores the dangers of dismissing beliefs and the consequences of disturbing ancient powers.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Burn, Witch, Burn yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Burn, Witch, Burn (1962)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Burn, Witch, Burn (1962). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The narrative does not specify a distinct historical time period, but it hints at a contemporary setting reflective of the mid-20th century, given the academic backdrop and references to pseudoscience against a rationalist worldview.

Location

Jamaica, University Campus

The movie is partially set in Jamaica, known for its rich culture and history, as well as voodoo and folk magic practices like obeah. The university campus serves as a pivotal location where academic pursuits clash with supernatural elements, providing a backdrop for the psychological tension that unfolds.

🏝️ Destination 🎓 Education

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:36

Main Characters – Burn, Witch, Burn (1962)

Meet the key characters of Burn, Witch, Burn (1962), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Norman Taylor (Peter Wyngarde)

Norman is a dedicated psychology professor, embodying rationality and skepticism towards superstition. His character faces an intense transformation as he grapples with the consequences of dismissing Tansy's beliefs, leading to a dramatic shift in his worldview.

📚 Academic 🤔 Rationalist

Tansy (Janet Blair)

Tansy is depicted as a devoted wife who turns to obeah for solace and support. Her character symbolizes the struggle between faith and reason, and she ultimately confronts the dark realities of her practices when they spiral out of control.

💖 Supportive 🔮 Believer

Flora Carr (Margaret Johnston)

Flora is fueled by jealousy and resentment towards Norman's success, driving her to enact a sinister plan through witchcraft. Her character serves as the antagonist, representing the danger of unchecked emotions and the lengths one might go to in pursuit of revenge.

😈 Antagonist 🔥 Manipulative

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:36

Major Themes – Burn, Witch, Burn (1962)

Explore the central themes of Burn, Witch, Burn (1962), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔮 Superstition

The theme of superstition plays a crucial role in the film, showcasing the tension between rationalism and belief in magic. Norman's disdain for Tansy's practices highlights a broader conflict between science and superstition that drives the plot's suspense.

⚡ Jealousy

Jealousy manifests through Flora's actions, fueled by a sense of inferiority when compared to Norman's success. This underlying emotion leads her to resort to malevolent practices, ultimately causing havoc in the lives of others.

🌩️ Conflict

The film builds tension through escalating conflicts, both personal and supernatural. The storm serves as a metaphor for the chaotic events that unfold, culminating in physical and psychological confrontations that test the characters' beliefs and relationships.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:36

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about Rationalism vs Supernatural Forces like Burn, Witch, Burn

Intelligent protagonists confront forces that defy their logic, leading to paranoia and peril.If you enjoyed the clash of science and superstition in Burn, Witch, Burn, this list features similar horror and thriller movies where skeptical characters are confronted with terrifying, unexplainable phenomena. Discover films that explore the psychological terror of a rational mind unraveling.

paranoidanxiouspsychologicalsupernatural dreadsuspensefulclaustrophobicfatalistic

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a protagonist, often an academic, scientist, or detective, who dismisses supernatural claims. A triggering event forces a direct confrontation with a malevolent force, systematically dismantling their skepticism. The narrative arc charts their descent from arrogant certainty into desperate belief as they fight for survival using the very rules they once denied.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped because they share a central thematic conflict between rationalism and the occult, resulting in a specific type of psychological tension. They feature high-stakes scenarios where the protagonist's intelligence is both their greatest asset and their fatal flaw, creating a consistently dark, anxious, and intellectually engaging vibe.

Supernatural Horror Testing a Marriage like in Burn, Witch, Burn

Supernatural forces invade a home, testing and twisting the bonds between lovers or family.For viewers who liked the marital conflict heightened by witchcraft in Burn, Witch, Burn, this section features movies where supernatural events expose and intensify relationship problems. Find similar intense thrillers about couples fighting dark forces while their bond is stretched to the breaking point.

grippingsuspensefulanxiousmarital conflictsupernatural dreadpsychological terrorfatalistic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern begins with a relationship already under subtle strain. A supernatural catalyst—a cursed object, a dark secret, or a malevolent entity—amplifies doubts, jealousy, and fear, turning partners against each other. The journey involves overcoming both the external threat and the internal psychological warfare to reunite, though often scarred by the experience.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their focus on how horror destabilizes intimate relationships. They blend high supernatural intensity with heavy emotional drama, creating a uniquely gripping experience. The pacing is often fast, as the threat accelerates both the plot and the relationship's collapse, leading to a tense and emotionally resonant climax.

Unlock the Full Story of Burn, Witch, Burn

Don't stop at just watching — explore Burn, Witch, Burn in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Burn, Witch, Burn is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Burn, Witch, Burn Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Burn, Witch, Burn, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Burn, Witch, Burn Summary

Burn, Witch, Burn Timeline

Track the full timeline of Burn, Witch, Burn with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Burn, Witch, Burn Timeline

Burn, Witch, Burn Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Burn, Witch, Burn that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Burn, Witch, Burn Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Burn, Witch, Burn

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Burn, Witch, Burn: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Burn, Witch, Burn

Similar Movies to Burn, Witch, Burn

Discover movies like Burn, Witch, Burn that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.