Crowhaven Farm (1970) - Low quality TV movie to avoid

'Crowhaven Farm' is one of those early 'made-for-TV' supernatural thrillers that tries to capture the eerie, rural witchcraft vibe popular in the late 60s and early 70s, but doesn’t do much to stand out. The film follows a couple who inherit an old New England farm with a dark past and, from there, you can probably guess every twist before it happens.

The story treads familiar ground with cliched mysterious locals, ominous dreams and an undercurrent of witchcraft that never feels particularly threatening.  Then add creepy children, secret covens and the usual “sins of the past revisited” elements, but it all plays out in such a predictable way that there’s little tension. The atmosphere is decent in spots, but the direction and pacing give away its made-for-TV roots with its small-scale sets and one-note dialogue.

While 'Crowhaven Farm' has some nostalgic charm as an early TV horror effort, it doesn’t bring anything new to the table - whether in its depiction of witches or its use of unsettling children. It’s watchable, but never surprising or particularly haunting.

4/10