Director: Michael Reeves
Screenplay: John Burke
Starring: Boris Karloff, Catherine Lacey, Elizabeth Ercy, Ian Ogilvy, Victor Henry, Sally Sheridan, Susan George
Country: United Kingdom
Running time: 85 min
Year: 1967
BBFC Certificate: 15
Director Michael Reeves died all too young; at the age of 25 he passed away following an accidental overdose of barbiturates. In his brief career he made three films as a solo director; yet, despite such a small output, he left a lasting impression and a question of “what if”. Based on his small but excellent offering, it’s tantalising to wonder what other fantastic films he would have made had he lived longer.
Those three films he directed were 1966’s Revenge of the Blood Beast (AKA The She Beast), 1968’s folk horror masterpiece The Witchfinder General, and the subject of this review, the middle film in the trio; 1967’s The Sorcerers. The latter two were produced by Tigon Productions, who together with Hammer and Amicus were a purveyor of British horror in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Sorcerers follows hypnotist Marcus (Boris Karloff) and his wife Estelle (Catherine Lacey), who want to experience thrills, and are carrying out experiments using a device that allows them to feel other people’s experiences and feelings.
The subject of their focus is Mike (Ian Ogilvy), to whom they promise ecstasy without consequence if he undergoes an experiment, which he does, with the couple using the device on him. Marcus and Estelle can now control him to do whatever they want and begin to experience his life thanks to the effects of the device. It all starts off relatively innocuously, though morally suspect, but soon begins to put the lives of Mike and his girlfriend Nicole (Elizabeth Ercy) in danger.
For the most part we have a contemporary sci-fi, hypnotism film as the couple make Mike do their bidding to get some kicks, but Catherine gets a taste for more and the final act turns to horror as Mike is forced to kill.
Not only was the film one of just three that Reeves made, it’s also notable for being the feature film debut of Susan George, still a teenager when it was released and having appeared previously in some short features, including Children’s Film Foundation mid-length feature Cup Fever. It was also one of the final films to star legendary actor Boris Karloff, who died less than two years after its release.
Karloff also played a part in the script as he ordered changes, including to the ending, to make his character feel more sympathetic. It’s quite striking to see the opening scene where Karloff, best known for the Universal Horrors he starred in in the 1930s and 1940s, walking down a contemporary 1960s London street and into a newsagents.
There are so many wonderful elements that, for me, help to make this science-fiction/horror hybrid a success. Firstly, some marvellous performances, from Karloff and Lacey, who are on top form as the sinister elderly couple who drive forward the plot as they seek out some excitement in their latter years, to an early role for Ogilvy, who is always a pleasure to watch. Reeves was clearly a fan, as Ogilvy appeared in all three films he directed. The pair were close friends.
The psychedelic effects used for the hypnotic device the elderly couple use is also great; all bright colours, images projected onto a face, close-ups of eyes, and crash zooms, as electronic whirrs play on the soundtrack. The film is set against the backdrop of nightclubs and musical performances, and these are also a delight; it’s very much a ‘swinging sixties’ film made for a youthful audience and, thanks to director Reeves being in the target age range for this type of film, one of the best of its kind.
There are also two exhilarating vehicle sequence – a high speed motorbike ride that’s edited incredibly well, giving a sense of speed, thrills and danger; and the tragic, horrific and unforgettable finale involving a high speed car chase.
In summary, The Sorcerers is a fabulous slice of 1960s sci-fi horror, set against the backdrop of the swinging 1960s. The Tigon production, one of only three features directed by Witchfinder General director Michael Reeves, features excellent performances by Boris Karloff, Catherine Lacey and Ian Ogilvy, the feature film debut of Susan George, nostalgic locations, several high speed chases and psychedelic sequences, a couple of terrifying scenes, and first class direction.
Film: 
The Sorcerers is released on limited edition Region B Blu-ray by 88 Films on 5th August 2024 as part of their Tigon Collection. The picture quality is astonishingly good; you can imagine being on the streets of swinging sixties London, it’s crystal clear. The colours pop, there’s a natural grain, and no imperfections. It’s a fantastic transfer. The audio is also great.
LIMITED EDITION FEATURES (3000)
Limited edition reverse-board gloss o-ring
Booklet notes by Johnny Mains
SPECIAL FEATURES
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation in original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Original Uncompressed Mono
Optional English SDH
Audio Commentary by film journalists William Fowler & Vic Pratt
Audio Commentary by film critics Kim Newman & Sean Hogan
Can’t Get You Out of My Head – Ian Ogilvy on The Sorcerers
Black Magic Camera – Interview with Assistant Cameraman Don Lord
Controlling the Cuts – Interview with Editor David Woodward
Original Trailer
Stills Gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring new artwork by Sean Longmore & original poster
Extras open with an audio commentary by film journalists and BFI Flipside label creators William Fowler and Vic Pratt, who begin with their memories of first seeing the film in the 1980s, not expecting to see Boris Karloff acting against a British urban settings of the late 1960s. They’re in full nostalgic mode, which I loved, reminiscing on some of the brands (Wimpy, for example) that feature, swinging sixties London, some of the locations and much more. There’s a very insightful and informative section providing background to the block of flats in Dolphin Square, which feature in the film. Equally interesting is how the filmmakers got permission to film there. As always, Fowler and Pratt are a joy to spend time with. A fabulous commentary.
The audio commentary by film critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan is also brilliant. They open with a discussion about Boris Karloff, rewrites he suggested that improved the film, his character and his performance in the movie. The pair then talk us through several of the other actors before looking at how it compares to other youth-orientated films of the period, highlighting that one distinguishing factor for the film was that it was directed by one of its audience – Reeves was 23 at the time. They give some high level background to Tigon and some of the cast, as well as sharing thoughts on some of the scenes. It’s a fabulous commentary. The pair also reference other commentaries they have recorded for upcoming releases – Curse of the Crimson Altar and From Beyond, which should be well worth a listen!
Can’t Get You Out of My Head is a 23 minute interview with Ian Ogilvy, who appeared in all three of Michael Reeves’ films. It’s great stuff with the actor on fine form. He talks with warmth about The Sorcerers, how fun the set was and shares his memories of the director and working in the 1960s. It’s a fun interview.
Black Magic Camera is an eight minute interview with camera assistant Don Lord. He shares thoughts on the colourful psychedelic effect used for the hypnotism device and how it was done, other work he was doing at the time including commercials, and some of the colleagues he worked with. A welcome addition.
Controlling the Cuts is a 13 minute interview with editor David Woodward. He shares memories of the making of the film, interspersed with clips from the movie. Another neat addition.
The two minute trailer is typical for the era, and certainly makes you want to watch the movie, so does its sales job well.
The stills gallery contains more than 60 images, mostly black and white stills and lobby cards, as well as colour posters, the press book and the covers for previous home video releases.
The Sorcerers is another excellent reminder of what a talented director Michael Reeves was, and how tragic it was that he died so young, having only directed a trio of films. All three of his directorial features have been given the boutique Blu-ray treatment in the UK this year – a Radiance-distributed Raro video release of Revenge of the Blood Beast is out on 29th July 2024, and a lavish Tigon Collection release of The Witchfinder General came out earlier this year from 88 Films. This 88 Films release of The Sorcerers is marvellous, giving the deluxe treatment to a really entertaining film. It packs a fabulous audio-visual presentation, two incredibly fun and informative commentaries which are encyclopaedic in the detail they provide, and a trio of fine interviews with three surviving cast and crew members.
Disc/Package:
