Review: Bell, Book, And Camera

Last updated on: January 31, 2019 at 7:26 am by Mat Auryn

Review: Bell, Book, And Camera 2019-01-31T07:26:14+00:00 Mat Auryn

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Heather Greene’s Bell, Book, and Camera: A Critical History of Witches in American Film and Television, is perhaps the only book on the subject that you’ll ever need, at least until more movies and shows with witches are made. You may know Heather Greene from her work as the managing editor of the online journalism website for witches and pagans, The Wild Hunt. Heather’s research skills are in full swing here, and she provides a definitive guide to the subject of witchcraft in American television and film.

The book is divided into seven chapters focusing on different eras of media from 1869 to 2016, creating a timeline. Greene expertly maps out the archetype of the witch and the witch’s evolution as portrayed by the media both positive and negative lights and how that’s a reflection of social attitudes towards the idea. She explores everything from the Wizard of Oz to the Craft, from Bewitched to the VVitch, from Charmed to the Witches of Eastwick, from Sabrina the Teenage Witch to The Blair Witch Project – the book is massively comprehensive. In selecting her movies and shows, she focuses on levels of importance in regards to the witch in the story. Placing highest priority on films and shows where a witch is the main character and decreasing importance as a witch as a secondary character or antagonist, witch as a minor character and themes of the threat of witchcraft without any definite witches identified.

The book is very well written and easy to read, and what makes this book even better is Heather’s ability to tie in concepts of authentic Witchcraft practices and track down information about witches who had a crucial role in the movie, or served on set as consultants. The book is informative, intelligent, and entertaining. It is an excellent addition to any practicing witch or pagan’s library as a historical reference guide of our portrayal in the media, as well as any movie lover’s library – particularly those who are interested in the horror genre, which most witches are also portrayed in.

Connect With Me

Witches in Television

Previous Post

July 14, 2018

A Witch Interprets 'God Is A Woman' by Ariana Grande

Next Post

July 27, 2018 The Magickal Battle For America

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Deck Reviews Interviews Musings Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 March 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In Revelation, what do the four living creatures say day and night without ceasing?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Worthy is the Lamb Come, Lord Jesus Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty Blessing and honor and glory