Night of the Eagle (Burn, Witch, Burn! ) (1962)

73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(298 ratings)

Night of the Eagle was the second film version of Fritz Leiber Jr.'s Conjure Wife (the first was Weird Woman, perhaps the best of Universal's low-budget "Inner Sanctum" series of the 1940s). The film's title was possibly meant to invoke memories of the earlier Night of the Demon (58); both films… More Night of the Eagle was the second film version of Fritz Leiber Jr.'s Conjure Wife (the first was Weird Woman, perhaps the best of Universal's low-budget "Inner Sanctum" series of the 1940s). The film's title was possibly meant to invoke memories of the earlier Night of the Demon (58); both films involve a rational scientist (in the case of Night of the Eagle, Peter Wyngarde) forced to accept the existence of the supernatural. All evidence points to the conclusion that the scientist's American wife Janet Blair is the reincarnation of a witch, and a practitioner of voodoo. The actual villain is supposed to be a mystery, though the identity was made clear in the Leiber original and in both other film versions of Conjure Wife (there was a 1980 parody version titled Witches Brew). The supernatural aspect of Night of the Eagle is convincingly handled, including a knockout sequence with a wild eagle rampaging through the scientist's tranquil study. Adapted by Twilight Zone stalwarts Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont, the British-made Night of the Eagle was released in the US as Burn, Witch, Burn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Sidney Hayers
Written By: George Baxt, Charles Beaumont, Richard Matheson
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Apr 25, 1962 Wide
On DVD: Dec 5, 2000

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Atmospheric and underplayed in the tradition of Val Lewton.
Brian Juergens, CampBlood.org
An odd, stylish, and completely absorbing witchcraft-in-the-suburbs oddity that puts hexes into the hands of academics and university wives.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
For protection, American threater-goers were given a special pack of salt and words to an ancient incantation during the showing of this oddball, scary tale.
Keith H. Brown, Eye for Film
Probably the finest hour-and-a-half of director Sidney Hayers' long and generally undistinguished career.
, Time Out
Sidney Hayers shoots the whole thing with an almost Wellesian flourish, and the script (by Charles Beaumont and Richard Matheson) is structured with incredible tightness.
Ron Wells, Film Threat
The film is never less than gripping, and past a certain point, you have no idea where this movie is going.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
O diretor Sidney Hayers consegue até criar um clima de suspense razoável, mas o roteiro absurdo (que, por incrível que pareça, se leva realmente a sério) anula seus esforços.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Interesting, but uninspired version of a great horror novel, Conjure Wife.
, Film4
Performances and tone are expertly judged and despite the odd Americanism this is a quality serving of intelligent English horror.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

An admirable rendition of Fritz Leiber's 1943 novel, <i>Conjure Wife</i>. Tangibly atmospheric and delightfully spooky.
Stella D

an underseen 60s thriller from britain with terrific atmosphere and intelligent script. like 'night of the demon,' which the title is apparently meant to recall, the film involves a skeptical scientist's confrontation with supernatural powers... in this case, in the… More
an underseen 60s thriller from britain with terrific atmosphere and intelligent script. like 'night of the demon,' which the title is apparently meant to recall, the film involves a skeptical scientist's confrontation with supernatural powers... in this case, in the shape of his own wife. great use of minimal special effects in the rampaging eagle scene

Cast

Janet Blair
as Tansy Taylor
Peter Wyngarde
as Norman Taylor
Margaret Johnston
as Flora Carr

Anthony Nicholls
as Harvey Sawtelle
Colin Gordon
as Prof. Lindsay Carr
Kathleen Byron
as Evelyn Sawtelle

See full cast

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Night of the Eagle (Burn, Witch, Burn! ) (1962)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Stella D

Cast

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