The Blair Witch Project (1999) - The film opens with a message on the screen stating that in October 1994, three student filmmakers disappeared in the woods of Burkesville, Maryland while shooting a documentary. A year later, their footage was discovered. What viewers are about to see is, in fact, that footage. After this introduction, we meet the filmmaking crew, composed of three members: Heather Donahue (Rei Hance), Michael Williams (playing himself), and Joshua Leonard (playing himself). Through the lens of a handheld camera, we observe the team packing and organising their equipment for their upcoming trip to Maryland. They plan to film and investigate the rumours surrounding a terrifying legend, The Blair Witch. The Blair Witch Project is primarily a horror film. Directed and co-written by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, it has significantly impacted the horror genre and the found-footage style. Myrick later co-wrote and directed other films, such as Solstice (2007) and The Objective (2008). Likewise, Sánchez continued to focus on horror, directing films like Exists (2014) and Satanic Hispanic (2022). The film opens engagingly, effectively introducing its three main characters as they prepare for their adventure. They pack their gear, gather equipment, and buy last-minute essentials like food and snacks. After travelling to their destination, the crew begins filming interviews with local townspeople, asking what they know about The Blair Witch and sharing various rumours in front of the camera. Eventually, the trio ventures into the woods, encountering many surprises and a life-changing experience with horrifying consequences. I loved the opening scene. As we see the trio pack up, we gain insights into their skills and personalities. Their interactions with the locals give viewers a comprehensive understanding of The Blair Witch legend. These exchanges are well portrayed, emphasising that something menacing lurks in the woods. Once the group enters the forest, the tone shifts significantly. The horror aspect notably intensifies as they wander through the eerie woods. The group occasionally makes unsettling discoveries, like random sticks piled outside their tent. These moments, among others, are highly effective in creating a sense of fear. The Blair Witch Project had a significant global impact, whether you love or hate it. Its use of the 'found footage' style, combined with a low-budget production, achieved a remarkable level of realism that ultimately created a terrifying experience. In 1999, many viewers even believed it was a real documentary; given its unique style and quality, who could blame them? Upon my first viewing, I found The Blair Witch Project relatively slow and filled with many arguments among the characters. However, the pace gradually builds to a disturbing and haunting climax. Even when the events don't make sense, the underlying threat remains frightening. The film’s creation, introduction, horror concepts, and sound design are all praiseworthy. * This review has been written for Sanity. For more reviews from Walkden Entertainment, check out the link here: www.walkdenentertainment.com

Great movie's enjoyed them both highly recommend