MVD Entertainment Group was out with outstanding news this past week. Writer/director Kevin Tenney’s 1989 horror tale, Witchtrap, has been elevated to “Rewind Collection” status and will be available on Blu-ray (and DVD as well) on June 13.
This is a 2K film restoration from the 35mm interpositive.
Filmmaker Kevin Tenney arrived on the genre scene in early 1987 with the theatrical release of Witchboard (not to be confused with Witchtrap) and then followed it up in 1988 with the Halloween-season theatrical release of Night of the Demons.
This USC Film School alum was two-for-two with his first two films and then for some odd reason, Witchtrap — the next in line — wrapped production and appeared to be on track for a theatrical launch in 1989. All the production values are here, complete with an “interesting” script and a genuine Scream Queen in the cast (Linnea Quigley), but those plans got shelved and it went direct-to-video (VHS) on the Magnum Entertainment label.
Over the years the film has achieved something of a cult status among genre fans, so it fits right into the wheelhouse of MVD’s “Rewind Collection” series.
As to the story, it’s a haunted house thriller with a warlock at the center of things (as opposed to a witch). The Lauter House has been the place where mysterious deaths have occurred and that’s not something the new owner, Devin Lauter (played by Tenney) wants as a calling card for his upscale bed and breakfast plans.
The solution? Bring in a team of paranormal experts and have them drive out the source of evil (for genre fans, this is the “victim pool”) that resides in the haunted mansion. Or, die trying (they do). Sadly, Linnea Quigley is not the “final girl,” but she does have a tasty shower death sequence!!
Bonus goodies include commentary from filmmaker Kevin Tenney, who is joined by producer Dan Duncan, cinematographer Tom Jewett and actor Hal Havins (as Elwin). Additionally, there are extended video sessions with Kevin Tenney, Linnea Quigley, Tom Jewett and special effects supervisor Tassilo Baur, an extensive stills gallery and the VHS cut of the film.
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