mark.waltz Review of Simon, King of the Witches

Simon, King of the Witches (1971)

Disturbing view of the onslaught of an evil apocalypse.

[3/10 · 17 March 2020]

Yes, Andrew Prine gives a superb performance in this psychological horror film that shows a cult like society lead by Satan worshipers who seem nothing more than society dropouts, overloaded with psychedelic drugs, kinky sexual rituals and the need to recruit the young, vulnerable and eternally stupid. Think Central Park hippies from "Hair" hiding out, having strange ritual ceremonies, casting spells that apparently bring out acid trips without the benefit of acid, and ultimately a huge storm that seems to be leading to the end of the world. The effects are ridiculous, some characterizations outrageously offensive, and in spite of a phony charm, the leading character massively unappealing. What was the point of the homosexual making a pass at Prine's young friend only to end up as a part of a ritual (in an effort to put a curse on him) where nothing really seems to be an outcome. Brenda Scott, Prine's real life wife, has a pointless part of a girl he does a sexual ritual with. This is not even unintentionally funny although I did giggle at the gay man's Dorothy Hamill hairstyle.