Witchcraft

Witchcraft

Year: 1964

Runtime: 79 mins

Language: English

Director: Don Sharp

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsTerrifying haunted and supernatural horrorGothic and eerie haunting horrorCreepy chilling and terrifying horror

Hex Marks the Spot! When her grave is disturbed by modern-day land developers, a 300-year-old witch is accidentally resurrected and terrorizes an English village.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Witchcraft 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 – Witchcraft (1964)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Witchcraft (1964). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Seventeenth century

Set in the seventeenth century, an era of religious superstition and witchcraft rumors. Communities relied on old beliefs, reticence, and fear, making feuds and sorcery potent forces in daily life. The period's harsh social norms amplify the danger of defying tradition and kin.

Location

Whitlock Estate, Whitlock Cemetery, Whitlock Crypt

The story centers on the Whitlock family estate, a sprawling manor steeped in generations of resentment. The old cemetery and its hidden crypt are pivotal locations where rites and plots unfold, echoing a feud that never fully dies. The estate's crumbling grandeur mirrors the conflict between the Whitlocks and the Laniers.

🏰 Estate 🕯️ Cemetery 🗝️ Crypt

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:16

Main Characters – Witchcraft (1964)

Meet the key characters of Witchcraft (1964), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Morgan Whitlock (Lon Chaney Jr.)

A stern patriarch who leads the Whitlock coven and guards the family legacy. He clings to the centuries-old feud and uses occult powers to protect property, often at the cost of others' safety.

🛡️ Family legacy 🧙‍♂️ Witchcraft ⚔️ Conflict

Todd Lanier (David Weston)

A pragmatic real estate developer caught between family loyalty and forbidden love. He becomes entangled in the coven's schemes while pursuing business ambitions.

💼 Ambition 💖 Forbidden Love 🧭 Family feud

Amy Whitlock (Diane Clare)

A modern descendant torn between family duty and a dangerous romance. She participates in the coven's rites and reaches a breaking point as the plot intensifies.

💘 Forbidden Love 👁️ Fate 🪄 Occult

Bill Lanier (Jack Hedley)

Todd's older brother and a business partner whose plans are threatened by the feud and magical upheaval. He acts to protect his wife Tracy and the family, even as events spiral.

🏗️ Business 💔 Family feud 🛡️ Protection

Myles Forrester (Barry Linehan)

A rival developer entangled with the Laniers, whose instructions to desecrate graves spark the coven's wrath and catalyze the murders.

💼 Rivalry 🧪 Occult ⚡ Power

Tracy Lanier (Jill Dixon)

Bill's wife who shadows Amy into the Whitlock crypt and becomes a witness to the coven's rites before being rescued. Her presence heightens the peril.

🕊️ Courage 🧩 Intrigue ⚔️ Conflict

Vanessa Whitlock (Yvette Rees)

The ancient Whitlock who emerges from an exhumed grave, returning with hex powers that ignite the coven and drive the plot forward.

👁️ Resurrection 🧪 Occult ⚡ Power

Malvina Lanier (Marie Ney)

The matriarch of the Lanier line who embodies long-standing tradition, quietly guiding a family entangled in the feud and tragedy.

👵 Matriarch 🏛️ Legacy 💫 Superstition

Helen Lanier (Viola Keats)

The elder aunt figure who falls victim to the coven's violence, symbolizing the personal costs of the feud and superstition.

👩‍👧 Family 🔥 Tragedy ⚖️ Authority

Doctor (John Dunbar)

A physician who appears during the crisis, providing medical attention but rarely influencing the course of the feud.

⚕️ Medicine 🧭 Science vs superstition

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:16

Major Themes – Witchcraft (1964)

Explore the central themes of Witchcraft (1964), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕯️ Forbidden Love

Love crosses the boundaries of a centuries-old feud as Amy Whitlock and Todd Lanier pursue a relationship despite opposition from their families. The romance challenges loyalty to lineage and wealth, forcing characters to choose between duty and desire. The romance acts as a catalyst that unsettles long-held power dynamics.

🪄 Witchcraft & Magic

A coven, hexes, and resurrected presence of Vanessa Whitlock drive the plot and escalate violence. The film treats magic as a dangerous force that can overturn estates, loyalties, and fates. Belief in the occult shapes characters' choices and fuels revenge.

🔥 Destruction & Feud

The feud culminates in violent acts and the destruction of the Whitlock estate. Deaths and a burning crypt symbolize the consequences of prejudice and vengeance. The final blaze marks an end to centuries of hostility and the cost borne by all involved.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:16

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Witchcraft Summary

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Witchcraft Summary

Witchcraft Timeline

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Witchcraft Timeline

More About Witchcraft

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Witchcraft (1964) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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Witchcraft (1964) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow