Amore di strega

I remember liking this film when I was a child, and with very good reason. "Love at Stake" is a comedy that continues rolling out the laughs in each and every scene. Film was written by two former writers for the original Saturday Night Live variety show, and the film was directed by a man who later went on to direct episodes of the Cult Comedy favorite "Mr. Show." Film includes an excellent cast, including Dave Thomas from "SCTV" and Bud Cort from "Harold and Maude" fame. Actress Ann Ramsy also makes a hilarious appearance as an old witch. Film is essentially a spoof of the Salem Witch Trials, which makes it a fairly interest bit of history to tackle as a comedic feature. I would also like to add that this film is highly original, and, of course, they just don't make them like this any longer.

I saw this movie about 4 years ago, and it still is on my top ten movies that are truely funny and made me laugh out loud.

Everything in it is just off centre and it's a perfect setting for a comedy.

This movie is hilarious! I can't believe it only rated 4.8/10! This is definitely a "B" movie, but there are a lot of very good "B" movies out there. I mean, every scene is funny. Anyone who enjoys "neo-slapstick" comedy should LOVE this, especially fans of Monthy Python, the "Fletch" movies, or even Benny Hill, will love this movie! And hey, it has John Travolta's wife in it & Barbara Carerra (sic?)! Not to mention, "Doug" McKenzie from the Great White North. I can definitely tell there is some SNL influence here. The old lady (mother of the struck-blind preacher) is hilarious, not to mention the songs! Definitely rent this movie if you haven't seen it. And if you have, BUY IT, if you can find it!

I haven't seen this in a while, but I remember watching it over and over again for a while. It's a wonderful spoof situated at the time of the Salem Witch Trials, full of anachronisms and humor. Plus it's a cute love story.

Its 1692, the judge and mayor of Salem team up to take over the town's land by starting up witch hunts which leaves vacant properties. The plan is going real well, when suddenly a real witch, Faith, for witchcraft, accuses the innocent Sara Lee. She uses this as a chance to get to her boyfriend Miles, but he stands by Sara and tries his best to convince the town she's no witch.

"Love at Stake" is a reasonably obscure and small-scale b-grade spoof that amusingly sends up the infamous Salem witch trails with quick fire gags and lowbrow tone. There's a certain Zucker and Abraham style (think of Airplane & Top Secret!) about this comedy. It even has a touch of Monty Python about it. The martial has a cheeky hit and miss self-mockery about itself, but it's always on the move and there are some inspired lines of dialogue. The corny premise is quite an original take with plenty of zing and a playfully raunchy touch. There's plenty of room for minor jokes to feed off the major one. It can get infantile and crass, but the superb cast upped the material to another level with their blinding chemistry and well-timed performances. Stuart Pankin and Dave Thomas were sensational as the two weasels, Judge John and Mayor Upton. They clicked when they came together. Kelly Preston was delightfully sweet and very effective in her role as Sara and Patrick Cassidy fitted perfectly as her concerned boyfriend Miles. A fickle turn by Bud Cort had me snickering quite a bit as the blind Parson Babcock and an alluring Barbara Carrera turns heads as the voluptuous witch Faith. It's directed with a lot of ticker by Saturday Night Live's John Moffitt. Which it's a shame that it goes by unnoticed.

A fun flick with energetic performances, but in the long run it's still a forgettable spoof. Well worth a look though.