The Witches Hammer

Did You Know?

• The film received a nomination for Best Feature Film at the 2008 Swansea Film Festival.
• Its DVD premiere in the UK was on 7 March 2007.
• The Witches Hammer was first screened at Cannes on 22 May 2006.

Plot

After Rebecca is attacked in the streets, agents from Project 571 awaken her and reveal they have altered her into a genetically modified vampire. They train her as a skilled assassin, coercing her with the promise of seeing her family again. Returning from an assignment to find Project 571 slaughtered, Rebecca is rescued by warlock Edward and taken to Madeline, head of Project 572. They need her help to retrieve The Witches Hammer, a spellbook required to kill vampire Hugo Renoir. Rebecca and Edward face attacks from rival vampires and Hugo's minions.

Reception

Don Sumner of Best Horror Movies noted influences from Blade and Underworld in the film's story and scenes, praising the engrossing story, interesting characters, and Stephanie Beacham's ice-queen performance. Moria Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Film Review appreciated the back mythology crafted by writer/director Eaves and the depth given to supporting characters, though they felt action scenes were boiler-plated in as set-pieces; they found the action convincingly done with stylish choreography. Andrew Mackenzie of Beyond Hollywood wrote that the film exists only as an example of terrible things when filmmakers are heavily influenced by Hollywood. Rees Savidis of JoBlo.com rated it 1.5/4 stars, calling it amateurish and muddled. David Johnson of DVD Verdict called it an achingly abysmal exercise in vampire action-horror.