Enzian Theater to reopen with Hitchcock showcase

After a three-month closure due to COVID-19, Central Florida’s single screen Enzian Theater will reopen with a week-long celebration of Alfred Hitchcock films.

Enzian Theater is located in Maitland, Florida, just outside of Orlando, and has long been established as the only full time not-for-profit cinema in the entire Central Florida area. Enzian began its life in 1985 as a classic film house, even presenting live shows now and again. By 1989, it was recognized as an “art film house”, presenting films that couldn’t be seen elsewhere in the area.

Just to put it in perspective, let’s take a look at the found footage movie The Blair Witch Project. When it was in limited release, if you lived in the Central Florida area, you could only watch the now-legendary film at Enzian. I know this, because that’s where I saw The Blair Witch Project for the first time, and it was consistently sold out during its initial run. Later, of course, it opened nationwide, and you could see it at any multiplex, but watching that unsettling film at Enzian was something special.

Set amidst sprawling oak trees, and featuring a courtyard, bar and quaint fountain, Enzian is unique to every other theater in the area. Inside, you can be seated at tables and order an adult beverage and a gourmet restaurant- worthy meal that will be delivered to your table.

Enzian is also home to the Florida Film Festival, which was postponed this year due to statewide COVID-19 shutdowns. During the shutdown, Enzian continued to offer On Demand streaming of films such as You Don’t Nomi and Shirley.

While Governor DeSantis recently announced that theaters in Florida would be allowed to reopen under certain guidelines, nearly all theaters currently remain closed. The Enzian Theater, however, will be re-opening on June 12 with special matinee ticket pricing of $10 per ticket, and a series of Alfred Hitchcock films.

Patrons will be able to watch such classic Hitchcock flicks as Psycho, Rear Window, Shadow of a Doubt, The Birds and Vertigo. If you live in the area and would like to see the schedule and purchase tickets, you can visit Enzian’s website.

Have you visited Enzian Theater? If you live in the area, will you watch one of the Hitchcock films there? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.