dudeman5685

I liked the fact that the series tackled the issue of racism, and had felt that they would given the subtle social and political subtext of the show.

The message in the episode is far from subtle though, with the references to racism and the Civil Rights movement in nearly every scene, to the point of lecturing. I'm not defending racism, of course, just think this is a bit overbearing. Final product is rather disappointing with the social commentary and "supernatural" elements existing unevenly. In part the show is "Burning Mississippi" but then swithces abruptly into "The Highwayman". Still I'm glad that they finally gave Dean a romantic interest, and concur with the other viewer that they should keep Cassie as a recurring character. She is a good complement to Dean personality.

I had wanted to see this film forever. Finally, I came upon the Criterion edition at Frys and eagerly spent the $30 on it as soon as I had the money.

I want my money back.

I had been expecting a horror film, showcasing the innovative special effects, the costumes, puppetry, etc, that was supposed to be so terrifying and spooky. There was that IN ONE OR TWO sequences, mostly during Maria the Weavers narrative of the witches Sabbath, and a couple of shorter scenes. But thats it.

The only other interesting part of the movie is the long sequence when the monks are torturing and witch hunting through the village. While this does give a good human look at the Burning Times, the plot is predictable, and is nothing we haven't see elsewhere.

The other segments of the film are hardly worth watching. The parts where Christensen in his Devil out fit pops up and scares the monks or nuns or seduces women in their beds are more amusing than anything. But not "darkly humorous" just chimerical.

The opening and ending of the film have slight historical interest, either as a documentary on witchcraft or as a historical document on psychology during the 1920s.

Overall a somewhat interesting film, but not for everyone. Read closely and know what you are getting the next time you spend 30 dollars.

This was a short film made in 1940, back when they used to show features like this before or in between movies.

The plot is rather rather predicable -- and to my knowledge -- pretty historically inaccurate. It is about a privately owned parcel service that tries to link up Missouri and California. They believe their business will do better if they can get news of Abe Lincolns election to CA in record time, which upsets some Southern sympathizers who believe they won't get California to join the Confederacy if they know that Lincoln won. (?) What ever one wants to make of the plot, the important thing about the film is that absolutely beautiful western scenery in stunning technicolor, which seems to have been the real draw in the first place. In a time when very few films were in color -probably none that were shown with this - the audience must have really gotten a kick out of this films painting like cinematography and vivid action sequences.

It IS available on DVD -- I ran across it on the 1st season of "The Adventures of Superman"