Valley of the Witch

The movie is not as awful as some of the movies I've seen. That said, this would use a lot of work to be a good b-movie. Some of the fill shots are actually really nice- if it were a music video based in the Welsh countryside, those shots would work.

The acting is not the worst I've seen at all, but I feel a lot of the issue is the direction and the script. A lot of the time, I was found wondering what on earth was even going on, and questioning why the characters were even saying or doing what they were doing.

Overuse of slow motion, and the super-long running scene near the end, followed by the longest cut to black I've seen was almost funny. Everytime something unfortunate happened, or a sound effect was used in an over-the-top manner, me and my partner would have a shot. We were rather tipsy by the end, it has to be said!

I think if it had a different writer, or at least someone to ask the writer why parts of the dialogue were included, as well as perhaps a more consistent lighting tech, it wouldn't look so bad.

Oh and the person who wrote the score... Well, it was... Interesting. Most of the time completely unnecessary and very, very cringe worthy.

Arriving in a small Welsh village, a woman looking to start over with her life finds an acquaintance with a local neighbor who informs her about the town's macabre history with witchcraft, and when the truth comes out that a curse in the town is being enacted must find the connection to stop it.

This was a likable genre effort. One of the better features of this one is the generally impressive setup that manages to provide quite a lot to enjoy by generating the kind of intriguing setup that has a lot going on. The arrival at the village and the idea of integrating herself into the community by befriending the neighbor but becoming drawn into a devious plot by the constant sightings of witchcraft lore and paraphernalia in the community or the attack by the strange-robed intruder provide a solid grounding for what's going on here. These give way to the reveal of the supernatural forces surrounding the town's history which brings up the history of witchcraft and the incidents that were in place there that spurn the need to return and wreak havoc with the plot for revenge that sets everything in motion here, giving this one a rather fun time here with this build-up. The other really impressive feature here is the way the eventual build-up of this focuses on the means of revenge without actually bringing them back as physical entities like what so many would do on this occasion. There's a decided focus to feature the revenge in a more ethereal sense with plenty of stand-out sequences showing the witch curse coming to play more as them influencing events that culminate with their untimely demise. This is an unusual approach that leads to a genuinely chilling atmosphere with the idea of not knowing who they're targeting or when which then makes the instances when the physicality is present feel that much more intriguing as the final half turns that into a far more featured aspect of this. There aren't too many flaws present but it does have a few small factors. The main drawback present with this one is the rather unique choice to present the big action scenes involving the witch's curse coming to life while in stark slow-motion sequences that feel like out-of-body experiences. Whether that was the intent or the disorientation felt while dealing with the supernatural, the consequence of some of the scenes is more comical than frightening which is the case here. Scenes like the policeman confronting the malevolent force or the arrival at the priests' house are the main culprits of this as they remain quite underwhelming with the way they're presented which carries over to several other sequences here. The other real drawback to this one is the actual finale which is equally underwhelming being not just shot silent like those other scenes but featuring some questionable developments to have played out which might not sit well with everyone, and with its low-budget origins are the factors that bring this one down.

Rated Unrated/R: Violence and Language.

Please,do not waste any minute of your life watching this. It is totaly unwatchable.

And the sound? What is happening with the sound?

When they talk you hear nothing,but music is breaking the speakers of my tv... what is goin on?

I cant believe someone spent money to film this.

Omg.

Was drawn into seeing 'Valley of the Witch', with a cool poster/cover, a somewhat intriguing if very derivative premise and as someone with a general appreciation for the genre it fits under. That it was low-budget, which from frequent personal experience is rarely a good sign due to that there are so many poor ones out there (though there are decent to good ones as well), made me though apprehensive.

It is sadly however yet another film seen recently, hence some reiteration because the exact same strengths and flaws present in those films are here, that to me was incredibly disappointing considering its potential which it doesn't do anywhere near enough with. 'Valley of the Witch' is really quite abominable, with so many huge flaws and doesn't do anything with any potential it had. There is net to nothing good here in 'Along Came the Devil', just amateur hour all round. The least thing about it is Bruce Davison.

Going on to the negatives, the story does feel over-stretched and some of it comes over as vague and under-explained in the last third where the film especially became duller, more predictable, more senseless and less unsettled and never gaining momentum. All the characters are too sketchy and with cardboard thin and colourless personalities and with nowhere near enough to make one want to endear to them. Their annoying and illogical decision making and behaviours frustrates. The chemistry is bland and unfocused.

The sound quality is obvious and utilised cheaply (being too loud in the build ups and people's reactions), the effects are shoddy and nearly all of the acting is lacking severely on the whole, that's actually an understatement as the worst of it is horrendous. There is no sense of horror or engagement with the awful predicament they're in, and no connecting with the character, it just reeks of indifference and complete blankness which makes the viewer not care less too.

Dialogue can be stilted and rambling while the pace and film drags on forever, apparent from the very start, never recovering that interest is lost fast. The ending has no build-up and just ends ridiculously. Found too many of the supposedly shocking moments not surprising or scary and the atmosphere dreary, due to the excessive obviousness, a lot of dumb and vague moments and explanations and the lack of tension and suspense. Thrills are none, thanks to stodginess and excessive over-familiarity, and found myself never invested in the drama, which tended to be indifferently acted, interminably paced and statically directed.

A lot of 'Valley of the Witch' has really dull and going nowhere plot elements and often nonsensical and confusing character motivations, while too many of the things to make you shocked are far from creative or unsettling. It all feels rather tame while the threat completely lacks menace and looks terrible.

Nothing freaky or interesting, no development and too derivative, while everything is unimaginative and are more odd than scary, completely failing to show any sense of dread. There is nothing interesting or illuminating with what the film was trying to do and the drama is overwrought with no momentum and a lot of weirdness. The direction is barely there and disorganised and the music is ill-fitting. 'Valley of the Witch' is very amateurish visually, too drearily lit and shows no care in the way it's shot. The editing has more continuity errors than one can count.

Summarising, terrible. 1/10 Bethany Cox

Yet another Andrew Jones rubbish rip-off with yet another 'Top Cast' of unknowns. I don't know if you need a licence to make featureless films or not but if you do, Jones should lose his, and quick! He's the writer, director, probably make-up man, costumier, hairdresser and Chief Sweeper-Upper but he cannot make a decent film. Lee Bane, Jones favourite leading man or more likely the only person who works for nothing. Avoid this like the proverbial Plague and anything Jones has any involvment in.