Warlock (1989) – Episode 181 – Decades of Horror 1980s

"Our interest lies in finding that damned book, and thwarting a vile beast of a man who shall not rest until God himself is thrown down, and all of creation becomes Satan's black hell-besmeared farting hole!" Okay, but only if it’s hell-besmeared. Join your faithful Grue-Crew - Crystal Cleveland, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, and Jeff Mohr -  as they learn the ins and outs of life as a witch-hunter in Warlock (1989).

Decades of Horror 1980s
Episode 181 – Warlock (1981)

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 A warlock flees from the 17th to the 20th century, with a witch-hunter in hot pursuit.

IMDb

 

• Director: Steve Miner
• Writer: David Twohy (as D.T. Twohy)
• Music by: Jerry Goldsmith
• Special Effects: Ken Pepiot (special effects coordinator)
• Visual makeup effects: Carl Fullerton, Neal Martz
• Selected Cast
  • Julian Sands as Warlock
  • Lori Singer as Kassandra
  • Richard E. Grant as Giles Redferne
  • Mary Woronov as Channeler
  • Kevin O'Brien as Chas
  • Richard Kuss as Mennonite
  • Allan Miller as Detective
  • Anna Thomson as Pastor's Wife (as Anna Levine)
  • David Carpenter as Pastor
  • Kay E. Kuter as Proctor
  • Ian Abercrombie as Magistrate #1
  • Kenneth Danziger as Magistrate #2
  • Art Smith as Scribe
  • Robert Breeze as Jailor
  • Frank Renzulli as Cabbie
  • Rob Paulsen as Gas Station attendant

Crystal likes Julian Sands almost as much as she likes a good fog machine, so it came as no surprise that her pick for this episode is Warlock. She also likes the different take that comes from featuring a warlock rather than a witch and still enjoys the film, despite the poor aging makeup effects on Lori Singer’s character. Bill points out that the weak aging effects are not the fault of the makeup effects artists and are the result of the actor’s choice. He also admits he expected a late 80s cheese-fest and his expectations are fulfilled by the cheesy visual special effects necessitated by the budget restrictions. Chad likes Warlock, especially Richard Grant’s and Julian Sands’ performances, but thinks it could be a lot better with a little more money. Jeff liked Warlock when he saw it back in the day and still does, but agrees with the rest of the Grue-Crew that the animated effects are a bit on the cheesy side.

Despite being dated, in particular in terms of animated effects, your Decades of Horror 1970s Grue-Crew is glad to have covered Warlock. Currently, Warlock is available VOD and on Blu-ray as part of the Warlock 1-3 Collection from  Lionsgate.

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Chad will be Madman (1981).  You won’t want to miss that one!

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