4 years before I was born 2 of my favorite witch movies arrived. Mario Bava’s ultra-classic “The Mask of Satan” and this British installment that is one of the holy, scratch that, Un-Holy grails of atmospheric satanic witch chillers that 1960 has to offer. We are of course talking about the cult classic better known as “Horror Hotel”. It’s readily available in a number of decent public domain prints and also was re-released by Anchor Bay several years back; but, VCI DVD now boasts the original UNCUT British version looking very nice with the 2 minutes needlessly CUT from the American “Horror Hotel” release.

“Burn the witch!” We open with a condemned witch being burned at the stake in 1692 Whitewood Massachusetts. 300 years later Nan Barlowe, a feisty college student goes to the seriously foggy town of Whitewood to uncover there mysterious history of witchcraft. But she finds more than she bargains for and falls into evil clutches at The Raven’s Inn. Wondering where she has disappeared to her brother and his fiancé also come to Whitewood where they discover the witch and her Satan loving coven are making full use of Candlemass Eve and the Witches Sabbath as sacrificial nights. Horror veteran Christopher Lee plays Nan’s Black magic practicing teacher.

This ultra fine late night outing is great late night film draped in atmosphere, the 17th century picturesque decaying town loaded with fog and creepy overtones, the darkened Raven’s Inn and spider web strewn cellar; this is an absolute mood heavy classic shot in glorious black & white. Notable dialogue: “Candle mass Eve, the night when the witches mock the rituals of the church”.

VCI Entertainment presents a beautiful print in sharp black & white in 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen enhanced for 16 x 9 monitors with a nice little set of Xtras: Feature length commentary with Christopher Lee, a 45 minute interview with Christopher Lee, Interview and commentary with director John Moxy, Interview with Venetia Stevenson, Theatrical trailer, Photo gallery and Cast Bios.