Necromancy

Necromancy, also known as The Witching, is a remarkable supernatural thriller-horror film from 1972. Enigmatic, chillingly atmospheric, and keenly honed in its sense of suspense, this film is a landmark in its genre, offering a foreboding narrative that moves between the realities of everyday life and the surreal world of the beyond. Directed by the bane of B-grade schlock cult, Bert I. Gordon, and starring the enigmatic Orson Welles alongside the talented Pamela Franklin and Lee Purcell, Necromancy weaves a narrative of ritual magic, occult conspiracies and the desperate quest for immortality, inviting audiences to enter a world where nothing is as it seems.

The film establishes its haunting tone from the very beginning. Starring Orson Welles as Mr. Cato, a mysterious and immensely wealthy man, the story unravels in an idiosyncratic Californian town called Lilith. This rural hamlet is anything but charming. Cato essentially runs the place, his authority overshadowing the lives of its scarecrow-like residents. He operates a toy manufacturing company and employs the women of the town. The underlying tension running through the narrative is further pumped up when we are introduced to a recently bereaved woman, Lori Brandon (Pamela Franklin).

As the story unfolds, we realize Lori has been lured to Lilith with the promise of a job. Delving further, she discovers she is the look-alike of Cato's dead wife and that Cato believes he could resurrect his deceased wife through Lori. Cato’s character as a sinister necromancer is magnified by Orson Welles’ legendary acting talents, making his actions resonate with a breathtaking sense of intrigue and dread. His obsession with the occult and his attempts to cheat death set the basis for the film’s chilling narrative.

The film handles the themes of necromancy and witchcraft with an eerie sense of authenticity, creating a chilling narrative that is just realistic enough to be profoundly disquieting. The atmosphere of foreboding and terror is further heightened by the unnerving performances of Pamela Franklin and Lee Purcell, who artfully ramp up the tension throughout the film. Their portrayal of fear and dread is palpable, pulling the audience into their plight and making the film’s surreal world feel all too real.

Lori's character, played by Franklin, unfolds the narrative thread masterfully, bewildering us about Cato's unsettling plans. Her initial ignorance slowly transmutes into fear, culminating in an unforgettable showdown, pushing her persona's limit to the edge and beyond. In contrast, Lee Purcell's character Priscilla, another mysterious resident of Lilith, exudes an uncanny aura, further morphing the film’s narrative into a jaw-clenching suspense cum horror fest.

Under Gordon's experienced direction, Necromancy depicts a dark, unsettling world shrouded in a constant fog of fear and uncertainty. The cinematography combines well with the brilliant color grading, resulting in an aesthetic that is both visually appealing and effectively macabre. Locations and sets bear a haunted, isolated quality, further amplifying the spooky mood. The script has been intelligently written without excessive reliance on jump scares, opting instead for psychological horror that grips the mind and lingers long after the credits roll.

Necromancy also deserves credit for its twisted exploration of themes of death, resurrection, and immortality, challenging audiences to question their notions of life, death, and the afterlife. The film masterfully blurs the lines between the real and the surreal, creating a disconcerting narrative that bounds audiences in a sense of dread.

The film doesn’t shy away from including some distinctive 70s trademarks either; vibrant paints on caravans, embroidered denim, striped trousers, and long, vividly colored dresses. These quirky elements unexpectedly serve as the stark contrast to the brooding atmosphere, a smart move by Gordon to highlight the idiosyncrasies of the quaint town and its folk.

In summary, Necromancy is a 1972 classic horror film that effectively uses the supernatural elements of witchcraft and necromancy to narrate a chilling tale of love, obsession, and the contemporary human quest for immortality. Its power lies in its commanding performances, engaging narrative, and the unsettling grip it holds over its viewers, propelled to a large extent by the fine performances of Orson Welles, Pamela Franklin, and Lee Purcell.