Seduction Cinema presents

Witchbabe:The Erotic Witch Project III (2002)

"I was here watching you, long before the gorilla attacked."- Helena Pottsworth (Paige Richards)

Stars: Laurie Wallace, Misty Mundae, Darian Caine, Julian Wells, Ruby LaRocca
Other Stars: Debbie Rochon, Barbara Joyce, Lora Renee, Peter Quarry, Bob Mackay, Michael R. Thomas, Paige Ricahrds
Director: Terry M. West

MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nudity, sexuality, language, men in gorilla suits, rubber chickens)
Run Time: 01h:12m:13s
Release Date: 2002-06-25
Genre: late night

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
D+	C-	C-	B-	C-

 

DVD Review

Pity the producers of The Blair Witch Project. While they have managed only a single sequel to their hugely successful indie film, the folks at Seduction Cinema have not only parodied them, but have managed two sequels (so far) to their Erotic Witch Project video. As usual, the production values are low, the nudity is copious and the whole thing is exceedingly amateurish.

When a pair of frolicking picnickers in the Bacchusville woods find a skeleton and a diary from 1812, detective Nans (Debbie Rochon) and librarian Karen (Darian Caine) are intrigued. Within the diary is the tale of the erotic witch, Helena Pottsworth (Paige Richards) and her corruption of the town. Via a movie-length flashback, we see how the tale of the erotic witch grew, along with loads of naked women pleasuring themselves and each other. Prominent among them are the mayor's wife, Diane (Laurie Wallace) and the schoolmarm, Miss Chaste (Barbara Joyce). Mix in some crude humor and a guy in a gorilla suit, and it's another shot on video wrap for Seduction Cinema.

While many of the women are attractive, they're not particularly effective actresses. Their simulation of sex is a little more convincing this time around, though in a piece as firmly period as this one you have to question some of the tattoos. Heck, did you know that they had underwire bras in 1812? Vinyl boots with zippers? Neither did I. There's a half-hearted attempt at creating a period feel, but it's quite absurdly botched in any number of ways that leave this viewer shaking his head. That fits in with the utterly amateur camera work, which often points the videocam at blankets, trees, anything but the actors. Apparently they've never heard of a retake.

Under the helm of Terry M. West, rather than the usual John Bacchus, the sex is much more effective and in fact actually somewhat erotic here. There are some quite arousing scenes in the woods, notably Laurie Wallace caressing herself with her quill pen, that will get most male viewers' attention. Some of the lesbian free-for-alls are stimulating as well, though the ample use of women with phony breasts is discouraging.

Unusually, the comedy, crude at its most subtle, is actually pretty funny this time out. Most notable is John P. Fedele as Mayor Rudolf, who actually says the outlandish things that are on his mind before his handlers can rein him in. A bizarre game featuring the director as a backwoods yokel who pummels his compatriots bloody with a rubber chicken is also good for a few laughs as well, as is a backwoodsman who has some peculiar last words.

The "Play Movie" option sets in motion an advertisement, which I found highly irritating, but it is skippable with the Chapter Forward button on your remote.

Rating for Style: D+
Rating for Substance: C-

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Review: The full-frame picture is obviously shot on video, with tons of artifacting, both in motion and from compression. Pixelation is frequent as well, despite a fairly high bit rate of 6 Mbps. Color is quite good throughout, though black levels are a bit weak.

Image Transfer Grade: C-
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
Mono	English	no

Audio Transfer Review: The 2.0 mono sound is generally pretty good, with clear dialogue and synthesized music that usually doesn't sound overly compressed. No significant hiss or noise was heard throughout. Much of the sound appears to be looped, which helps with the clarity.

Audio Transfer Grade: B- 

Disc Extras

Static menu with music
Scene Access with 12 cues and remote access
1 Original Trailer(s)
7 Other Trailer(s) featuring Female Animal, Master's Plaything, Roxanna, Vampire Vixen, Erotic Witch Project II, Play-Mate of the Apes and Mummy Raider
0 Deleted Scenes
1 Featurette(s)
Packaging: Scanavo
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extras Review: Not much for extras. In addition to the usual "trailers" for the feature and other shot-on-video epics from Seduction (plus an actual theatrical trailer from an actual theatrical 1968 feature, Female Animal), there is a 9m:14s behind-the-scenes featurette that mostly consists of the photographer horsing around with the women. There is a segment where Stew Noack, credited in the feature as choreographer, earns the credit by arranging the women into interesting combinations (including one not seen in the feature). Not quite Balanchine, but it will do for this project.

Extras Grade: C-
 

Final Comments

The usual mix of simulated lesbian sex amongst artificially endowed women and crude humor is best reserved for those wanting to celebrate a Joe Bob Briggs movie. Marginally entertaining, it's a good deal better than most of the Seduction Cinema material I've seen.

Mark Zimmer 2002-06-24