Reel Review: The Pocket Film Of Superstitions (2023)

In “The Pocket Film of Superstitions”, Tom Lee Rutter uses every trick in the book to deliver a creative, fantastic film of wonder.

The Pocket Film Of Superstitions (2023) is the long-awaited Folklorian Fantasy/ Horror/ Comedy from Tom Lee Rutter (Bella In The Wych Elm, Video Shop Tales Of Terror, Day Of The Stranger), which focuses on the superstitions, folklore, and paranormal Old Wives’ Tales of the British Isles. 

The film does not have a linear narrative but instead presents a series of vignettes, each explaining a particular superstition and where it originated from, illustrated in a beautiful silent film era style. 

Have you ever wondered why you must throw salt over your shoulder after spilling some at the dinner table? Are you curious as to why the sign of the cross is a useful weapon against Vampires? 

If these psychological meanderings keep you up past The Witching Hour, then The Pocket Book Of Superstitions may scratch that Folklorian-itch of yours. 

I adored the inclusion of Folklore and Witchcraft traditions such as knocking on wood, which has its roots in Druid times when people would knock on trees to call upon the aid of tree & wood spirits/ deities. 

Aesthetically, The Pocket Film Of Superstitions calls to mind the silent films of the first half of the nineteenth century, such as 1902’s Le Voyage Dans La Lune (Trip to the Moon), which is a clear inspiration for the gorgeous cinematography accompanied by a Bonimenteur or, narrator. 

The narrator for Rutter’s feature is none other than The Shend, the singer of the Dadaist Punk band The Cravats who also moonlights as an actor (Pusher, Torchwood, Revolver). 

The Shend’s syrupy, Thespian drawl perfectly encapsulates the Monty Pythonesque humor, which is peppered throughout. 

His description of Christianity and his delivery of the line ‘’use prayer as a direct line to one’s deity’’ despite God’s line always being busy genuinely made me belly-laugh. 

The Horror community has experienced a boom in throwback or period-themed Horror movies wherein filmmakers stylize their productions to appear as though they have been shot in the 1980s or during the Victorian Era of cinema, for example. 

The Pocket Film Of Superstitions pulls off this feat with its use of cigarette burns, analog video footage, and beautifully animated segments, which echo the aesthetics of Jekyll And Hyde (1931) and somehow feel genuine despite the modern technology utilized during post-production. 

Another aspect of the film’s stylization I appreciated was the gorgeous sepia-toned matte paintings, which featured animated figures moving throughout them. 

These segments reminded me of those Medieval shadow puppet plays we would make in school during the ’90s.

Rutter’s own version feels like a genuine anachronism; you believe that you are witnessing haunted images from centuries long past. 

The cast is all incredibly engaging despite the lack of dialogue.

It was lovely to see ethereal beauty Annabella Rich pop up as The Sleepwalker, and Hammer Horror legend Caroline Munro steals every scene she graces with her enchanting presence as The High Priestess. 

If you’re at all familiar with the UK Indie Horror scene, then you will recognize Troma’s own Dani Thompson (Eating Miss Campbell, My Bloody Banjo) as the seductive Vampiress, and the director Michael Fausti (Exit, Video Shop Tales Of Terror) as The Bowler Hat Man. 

The Pocket Film Of Superstitions may not be for everyone due to its structure.

The pacing may feel alien to casual movie-goers as it ebbs and flows through the differing tales of Superstition with the leisurely pacing of a pocket-book. 

Clearly inspired by Steve Roud’s The Pocket Book Of Superstitions, I was impressed by how immersive my experience as a viewer was. It genuinely felt like I was witnessing a living Almanac — a sort of mystical audiobook accompanied by bewitching imagery where time fell away around me. 

This film is a must-watch for fans of Folklorian Horror, such as The Witch or Pyewacket. But it will equally appeal to fans of British Absurdist humor seen in The Life Of Brian. 

Part documentary, part Occult Fairytale, The Pocket Film Of Superstitions is unlike anything I have seen before — save for Rutter’s own Bella In The Wych Elm, which I also highly recommend, particularly if you have an interest in British Witchcraft and unsolved crimes. 

The Pocket Film Of Superstitions is currently touring the festival circuit. It was recently featured at the Festival Of Fantastic Films in the UK (where it was screened for this review). It will be screened at Horror On Sea (UK) in January 2024. I hope that you are able to experience this feat in filmmaking for yourself.