This is a review of a truly eccentric and unique horror movie from the 1970s. Unlike The Devil’s Rain, Simon, King of the Witches isn’t cheesy or goofy.
Andrew Prine plays a mysterious man named Simon who lives in a storm drain. He performs magick. Andrew Prine does an excellent job in making Simon very real and very likable. Simon is no cartoon character, even though he does talk to trees.
Simon befriends a male “escort” named Turk, who wants to learn about the occult and to become a warlock. But first, Simon tells Turk not anyone can get involved with the occult. Simon is very serious. For Simon, magick and the occult are real and can be very dangerous.
Turk takes them to a swinging 1970s-style party thrown by a wacky rich guy named Hercules. Simon, against his better judgment, performs magick for the party guests. For them, Simon is just a performer and magick is mere entertainment. The party goers laugh. Good times. But not for Simon.
Hercules also believes magick is just a joke but Simon teaches him a lesson. Simon teaches everyone a lesson: don't mess with magick, don't mess with the warlock.
Unlike other low budget occult movies from the 1970s, this movie takes the subject seriously. The screenplay was written by a real warlock. There are no demonic caricatures with large horns terrorizing people, there are no devil possessed kids, and no zombies in this movie.
Simon, King of the Witches culminates with a really cool 2001-style psychedelic freak-out.
I don’t want to say anymore. I recommend watching this movie and being surprised by how good it is.
Simon, King of the Witches is now available on DVD. The transfer is spectacular, especially when the age of the film is considered.
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