A few years ago, a major studio announced they were basing a feature film on the Ouija Board. After the box office failure of Battleship, the studio reversed course on board game movies. Those with the a true sense of cinema history knew that this was a foolish idea from the start. Why make a new movie about the Ouija Board when the ultimate Ouija board movie had already been made? Witchboard was a VHS sensation back in the late ’80s. It lurked on videostore shelves tempting customers to rent it. Witchboard has the reason you shouldn’t consider a Ouija Board a kiddie game.
Linda (Bachelor Party‘s Tawny Kitaen) and Jim (Wyatt Earp‘s Todd Allen) host a party that’s turning lame. Instead of doing the obvious ’80s party thing of breaking out the drugs, Brandon (General Hospital‘s Stephen Nichols) suggests a little fun with a Ouija Board. He’s established a bond with the spirit of a child. Linda helps Brandon connect with the boy. Jim isn’t happy that his girlfriend is sharing a board with Brandon. Jim mocks the spirit world. Bad things quickly happen to him. Linda doesn’t get scared by the strangeness. Instead she uses the Ouija board to find a lost object. She quickly becomes reliant on the child on the other side. What Linda doesn’t know is that she might not be talking to the little boy. Chances are that she is now talking to a demon using the board to possess her Brandon and Jim must overcome their differences to save her.
Witchboard is a fine example of low budget ’80s horror. Tawny Kitaen is best know for marrying David Coverdale around this time and dominating his Whitesnake videos. Her hair is amazing as she gets possessed by the demon lurking in the Ouija Board. she even has a shower scene. Nichols and Allen look like they stepped off the set of Simon & Simon when they have to work together. Director Kevin S. Tenney plays the film like an elaborate episode of Tales From the Darkside. Rose Marie (The Dick Van Dyke Show) gives the proper guest appearance action. This was a reason why this videobox tempted so many eyeballs at the Videorama. This is a perfect ’80s scarefest.
The video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The 1080p transfer brings out the detail in Tawny’s hair. The audio is DTS-HD Master Audio mono. Nothing too fancy in the mix. The movie is subtitled.
DVD has all the content of the Blu-ray at a lower resolution.
Progressive Entrapment (45:38) is a new documentary about the making of Witchboard. The film gives the history of Ouija” boards. Director Kevin S. Tenney wrote this script in film school. A real life event inspired how the evil come from the board. Todd Allen and Tawny Kitaen join the folks from the commentary tracks to explore the film. Tawny didn’t like doing the shower scene. She suffered for her art.
Vintage Making of Witchboard (6:53) has Tawny talking about her and Todd having a sick sense of humor. This is a lovefest.
Cast Interviews (20:09) is more of the vintage fun. They show off how they dropped one actor out of a window and onto a car. It wasn’t done with green screen.
On Set (19:55) is more vintage interviews with Todd Allen and Stephen Nichols. They were laughing it up on the scary set.
On Set with the Makers of Witchboard (19:58) is more video shot during the production. Thrill to the sight of the crew unloading the grip truck.
Life On the Set (20:12) is a tribute to the behind the scenes people who make movie magic. This is a must own video for anyone who had a relative working on the crew. Tawny spends time in wardrobe.
Constructing Witchboard (21:13) is video footage of the production crew put together scaffolding. It takes a lot of people to make a low budget film.
Outtakes (6:18) are extra takes including the window fall stunt.
Behind the Scenes Gallery are the pictures from the shoot.
Promo Gallery includes the VHS box.
Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots (3:39) reminds us that Ouija boards aren’t children’s toys.
Witchboard doesn’t need spiritual help to communicate its spooky charms. One of Tawny Kitaen’s finest moments in cinema. The only thing missing from this Blu-ray is a Ouija Board.
Scream Factory presents Witchboard. Directed by: Kevin S. Tunney. Screenplay by: Kevin S. Tunney. Starring: Tawny Kitaen, Todd Allen, Stephen Nichols and Rose Marie. Running Time: 98 minutes. Rating: R. Released: February 4, 2014.
