Director: Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez
Screenplay: Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez
Starring: Heather Donahue, Michael Williams and Joshua Leonard
Country: United States
Running Time: 81 min
Year: 1999
When it comes to found footage horror, I have mixed feelings on the sub-genre as a whole. Throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, it felt like we were getting yet another Blumhouse found footage feature every week. Paranormal Activity, As Above So Below, The Visit, V/H/S/, The Gallows, it became a genre that was quick, cheap and easy to make a profit on. In 1999, that wasn’t the case though.
Buddies Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez spent almost their entire time during the 90s working on The Blair Witch Project, a film that’s nowadays synonymous with ‘founding’ the found footage genre. Before this review, I had seen the film on Blu-ray back in 2015 for the first time and loved it. I found myself captivated by the film for its entire runtime and was particularly shaken by the ending of the film. When I heard that Second Sight Films were releasing the film, it was a no-brainer as I was itching for a rewatch, but little did I know that this viewing, and Second Sight’s release in particular would completely change my view on that Blu-ray I watched nine years ago.
Traditionally, with my reviews, I tend to save the technical aspects of the release (transfer, extras) until the latter half of the review. However, given the behemoth work that went on behind the scenes with this particular release, I’ll be talking about that stuff here too. You see, when The Blair Witch Project initially released into theatres worldwide, digital projection wasn’t a thing. Artisan Films, the distributor at the time, placed the digital Hi8 videotapes as well as the 16mm footage that was present in the film and had it blown up to 35mm for theatrical release. This changed the initial presentation of the film from what Daniel and Eduardo initially intended, but they wanted the film to get a wide release so agreed to it. The thing is, Artisan and now Lionsgate (who own the title now) never went back to release that original version on any home media release. The film was supposed to run at 60hz, given the digital nature, flipping back to 24 frames for the 16mm footage but every release ran at 24 frames per second. For over 25 years, the incorrect version of the film has been present on every VHS, DVD, Blu-ray or digital version of the film that you’ve watched. That is, until Second Sight approached the team behind the film for interviews on the release and caught wind of Blair Witch’s mistreatment on home media. So they offered to reconstruct the entire film from the original Hi8 tapes and 16mm footage to create the version that the filmmakers intended for the first time.
I know, that’s a lot to take in but before I even dive into my thoughts on the film as a whole, I have to commend Second Sight Films for doing this. We get countless boutique releases every week nowadays, and this could have very easily been a quick cash-grab where the bad transfer was thrown onto a Blu-ray and we received the archival features and maybe a new commentary and interview. Second Sight knew that wouldn’t have pleased fans and worked their asses off to create the definitive version of this film on home media, so major points to them for that.
You’re probably wondering if this new restoration of the film has any major impacts on the look or feel of the film, and it absolutely does. Now that we’re watching this in the correct frame rate, without tacked-on film grain for the Hi8 sequences, it’s like watching the film for the very first time. It’s something that truly redefines the film and makes so many aspects of it even more thrilling and terrifying. It’s excellent work.
What did I think of the film itself though? I still thought it was a great time. For those unfamiliar, The Blair Witch Project is a mockumentary which follows three film students who set out to create a documentary on the Blair Witch, a fictional urban legend. Initially, it starts out with the trio interviewing people in Burkittsville, Maryland about the Blair Witch but before long, they’re in the woods trying to see if the supposed incidents related to the witch are real or not.
The key factor which makes The Blair Witch Project so successful is the authentic feel to everything on screen. In the documentary included on this release, there’s a segment where the directors mention that they wanted everything in the film to feel grounded and believable. They didn’t want a scene where someone pops up with an alien mask, making the audience lose believability in the film and to their credit, they never do that. The entire film consists of our trio, Heather, Josh and Mike having weird, but believable things happen to them in the woods. Whether it’s hearing childrens laughing or other eerie sounds in the middle of the night or other things which I won’t spoil for those who haven’t seen the film yet, it’s so believable and authentic that even 25 years later, it still works as an effective horror film.
I can see people having issues with how the characters act, given the ad-libbed nature of a lot of their dialogue, but that only added to the authenticity during my rewatch. It’s a great time, and as I mentioned earlier, seeing this in the way it was originally meant to be seen was a treat. I couldn’t go back to a prior home media release knowing that this director-approved version exists now.
If you haven’t seen The Blair Witch Project, there’s never been a better time to check it out. While found footage horror doesn’t always work for me, I think directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez created lightning in a bottle with this one. Releasing it at the right time to convince millions of people that the events were real, while ushering in a new era for horror (whether you think that’s a positive or a negative thing is up to you) on a budget of $200,000.
Film: 
The Blair Witch Project released on the 11th of November, courtesy of Second Sight Films on Limited Edition Blu-ray. In my review, I’ve already detailed the fantastic transfer that’s included on the release but you also get the old 35mm version of the film that’s been included on every home media release prior to this too. If you want to watch that version, you can. A Festival cut of the film is also included which has slightly different sequences, although I didn’t have time to sit through the entire version. Audio wise, it’s an English DTS HD MA 2.0 track and it sounds fantastic. I believe the audio mix was also restored by Second Sight Films too, which is incredible. Overall, it’s the best that the film has ever looked or sounded, so if you’re a fan, this one’s a no-brainer. The following extras are included:
A new Second Sight Films restoration from the Hi8 videotapes and 16mm film elements, supervised and approved by the Producers and Directors
2-disc edition includes restored and remastered Original Theatrical Cut and Festival Cut plus original-release version
The Blair Witch Documentary: a new feature-length Second Sight Films production
New audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson
Directors’ and Producers’ audio commentary
Deleted scenes including previously unseen video and 16mm footage
The Blair Witch Project: Analogue Horror in a Digital World by Mike Muncer
Curse of the Blair Witch
Alternate Endings
Cannes 1999: archive Directors interview
Trailers
Limited Edition Contents
Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Timothy Pittides
184-page hardback book with archive production materials and new essays by Stacey Abbott, Becky Darke, Adam Hart, Craig Ian Mann, Mary Beth McAndrews, Dr. Cecilia Sayad, Pete Turner and Heather Wixson
Heather’s Journal
3 collectors’ art cards
The Blair Witch Documentary might be the best extra on this entire release, created exclusively for this release by Second Sight Films and running for a wild two and a half hours. Directed by Jed Shepherd, writer of horror film Host, the documentary covers absolutely every aspect of the production of The Blair Witch Project, including unseen footage from the pre-production and production itself, interviews with the directors, it’s a phenomenal watch. There’s tons of fantastic anecdotes from the shoot such as how a lot of the early sequences featured real people as opposed to actual actors. The entire last hour was my personal favourite, highlighting the process of getting the film submitted to Sundance, avoiding Harvey Weinstein and Miramax due to their vaulting claims. If you watched Second Sight’s documentary from their recent The Texas Chain Saw Massacre release, you’ll know what you’re in for. One of the year’s best documentaries and extras to boot.
The new audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson is a great listen, as expected. The pair offer an analytical overview of the film as a whole and given Heller-Nicholas’ love for the horror genre, she has many insightful thoughts on the film and the same goes for Josh Nelson. The pair’s commentary track is easily my favourite of the two featured on the disc.
The archival directors’ and producers’ audio commentary features the two directors alongside producers Robin Cowie, Gregg Hale and Michael Monello as they offer a fairly decent commentary track. A lot of information is featured on the documentary included, but it’s a nice low-key track.
If three cuts of the film and a feature length documentary wasn’t enough, the team at Second Sight also include over an hour and a half of deleted scenes, most of which have never been seen before. If you’re a fan of the film and its three protagonists, this is a haven of goodies. An incredible inclusion from Second Sight. Note: After the deleted scenes have played, a bonus easter egg plays. Give it a watch!
Mike Muncer’s video essay, The Blair Witch Project: Analogue Horror in a Digital World is a great watch, running for 11 minutes and features Muncer talking about the unique nature of the film due to the era it was made. His analysis on the film is insightful and absolutely worth your time.
Curse of the Blair Witch is an archival mockumentary that’s comprised of footage that was originally supposed to make the cut for The Blair Witch Project. It runs for 44 minutes and features interviews with those associated with the trio in the film, as well as a backstory on the Blair Witch’s supposed origin. It’s edited in a style that feels extremely 1999, but in an authentic manner and I found this to be an amusing experience. It’s worth watching if you’re a die hard fan!
Four alternate endings are included, ported over from the old Blu-ray release and mentioning the titles of them would probably be considered a spoiler, but they’re all worth checking out if you’re a fan of the film.
The archival Cannes 1999 directors interview runs for 10 minutes and features the pair touch on the early digital marketing for the film, utilising the internet to spread word of mouth and detail the small production of the film. It’s a solid little interview.
A series of archival trailers are included.
I wasn’t provided with the limited edition goodies, unfortunately, so I can’t comment on the book, the journal or the art cards but judging from pictures, it looks gorgeous.
Overall, Second Sight’s release of The Blair Witch Project is yet another excellent outing from the label. To say that they’ve gone above and beyond this time would almost feel like an understatement, given the level of effort that went into the restoration alone. Pair that with the incredible selection of bonus features, the lovely looking physical package and the multiple versions of the film and you have an easy contender for boutique release of the year. Full stars.
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