Review of The Blair Witch Project (1999) by Andrew M — 28 Jun 2014

Before the Internet hit full-stride, film marketing was a completely different concept. Film trailers were around to preview movies to the masses, but the likes of viral marketing campaigns, online speculation, and teasers for teaser trailers were rare, if existant at all. Instead, film's were marketed for what they were, no tricks involved. That's why the release of The Blair Witch Project in 1999 had such an impact on film marketing. Using a website that documented mythology of the titular Blair Witch, trailers that hinted at the film's footage being completely real, and reports that the "actors" in the film were missing and presumed dead, audiences were instantly attracted to the tiny indie film's mysterious nature and uncertainty regarding the reality of its story. This all goes without noting how utterly terrifying The Blair Witch Project truly is, using tactics that distance itself from most other horror movies, old and new.

The Blair Witch Project follows the story hinted at throughout the film's massive marketing campaign: planning on shooting a documentary about Burkittsville, Maryland's fabled Blair Witch, three film students, Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams, set out to prove the existence of the Blair Witch in October of 1994. Interviews with locals before the actual search fare mixed opinions on the subject, ranging from citizens who completely deny the fable to locals who explain, in detail, how a hermit named Rustin Parr kidnapped, tortured, and murdered children.

After wrapping up enough footage to use for the documentary's opening scene and introductory statements, the three students head into the woods of north Burkittsville to hopefully catch proof of the Blair Witch for their film. However, it doesn't take long for the three inexperienced hikers to find themselves lost and traveling in circles. Of course, it also doesn't help that an unseen entity continually harasses Heather, Josh, and Mike during the night, leaving only mysterious rock formations and stick figures as evidence. It's safe to say that the production of the harmless documentary soon turns into the worst experience of the three filmmakers' lives.

While rumors of the film showing real footage were shot down, the movie creates an atmosphere that certainly accounts for the rumors. This mostly comes from the fact that the film had no script. In most cases, that would result in an instant failure, but in the case of The Blair Witch Project, it plays heavily in its favor. Using only a 68 page outline and a custom made mythology, devised from old history such as a 16th century mystic, the film's dialogue was completely improvised by the actors. This makes an already relatable concept of being lost in the woods with no sense of direction all the more realistic.

Of course, a script that relies on improvisation requires strong improvisation skills from its actors, and in that regard, The Blair Witch Project succeeds masterfully. The actors, who all used their real names, all seem to have genuine reactions to the events around them as the horrors continuously escalate. When they finish filming their introduction, they seem genuinely happy; when they find themselves going in circles, they seem genuinely angry; when they stumble across the famous stick figures, they seem genuinely terrified. Easily the most well-acted scene comes in the instantly recognizable scene where Heather gives her famous monologue: the fear is easily seen in her tear-filled eyes and stuttering voice as she struggles to apologize for her actions.

Some of the credit for such genuine reactions has to go to the directors, Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick. Using various means, Sanchez and Myrick pushed their actors to their limits in order to get the best reactions possible. For example, when the actors slept, the two directors would purposely sabotage the actors food and create some strife among them, which played out in the next scene. The real directorial success, however, is how the titular Blair Witch is never actually seen on screen. The result is a much more horrifying film, forcing the viewer to use only the sounds around the characters and their own imaginations to realize just what is tormenting these three students. This tactic separates itself from most other horror movies quite successfully, especially in the heart-stopping finale.

Filmed on a budget of less than $1 million, The Blair Witch Project went on to gross over $248 million worldwide, earning it a world record for top budget to box office ratio. Such a huge success is a bright spot in the film's life, as it stands as one of the most inventive, as well as one of the most terrifying, movies of all time. With interesting lore, extremely well-done improvised acting by the trio of actors, and smart directing choices, The Blair Witch Project is sure to change your mind about the woods behind your house, and what may be lurking within.