Haxan (Witchcraft Through the Ages)

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Witchcraft through the ages is explored with dark wit in this silent classic. Writer-director Benjamin Christensen uses a historical study of witchcraft as a jumping-off point for a fascinating film that is part science, part horror, and part social commentary. This Criterion edition uses a beautiful print, a rearrangement of music from the original Danish premiere, and the original Swedish intertitles (with subtitles). Goodies include commentary by Danish film scholar Casper Tybjerg, the option of watching a narrated version without intertitles, and test shots from the film. The test shots, in particular, give insight into the early filmmaking process, as when Christensen uses his own image to try out (and reject) a flying effect. This is a worthy edition to the collection of fans of horror films, silent films, and film in general. --Ali Davis

Description

Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen's legendary film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the middle ages suffered the same hysteria as turn-of-the-century psychiatric patients. But the film itself is far from serious-instead it's a witches' brew of the scary, gross, and darkly humorous. The Criterion Collection is proud to present two versions of this genre-defying "documentary," for the first time ever on DVD.

Customer Reviews:

This movies has become a tradition.......2007-09-06

Once a year, every spring, the ladies in our community have what is called Goddess Weekend. And each and every year we watch this movie. Granted, there are factual and sometimes uneasy parts of this film, but I just have to say that because it has become 'campy' it's quite entertaining for all. Even with the subtitles.... even better when someone reads them aloud, this movie is actually fun and the symbolism is just darn funny. For instance, in one part the 'devil'.... your basic horned ugly entity, has the witches lined up to kiss his butt. And the makeup on the priests is just down right scary! I have the vhs but plan to purchase this dvd even though it is a little pricey, it's worth it to me and my friends. If you are hesitant to purchase this, get a group together and try to rent it before you spend the money. This film is not for everyone and shows some really ugly old crones.
One of my favorites!

A documentary Michael Moore would've done back in the day exposing Witchcarft. Dvd special features below.......2007-08-08

This is not what I expected at all, from reading the back of the Criterion dvd you hear about Grave Robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic sabbath, so I'm thinking a horror movie. What i got was writer director Benjamin Christensen exposing witchcraft for what it really was, mental disorders. He does this first with some dark comedy which reminded me of Jeff Foxworthy's whole bit about you might be a redneck if, however here it's you might be a witch if. It's infuriating almost, to see how ignorance and fear of anything and anyone different were proclaimed witches and tortured and murdered. If you denied being a witch then you were tortured until you basically just wanted to die, so you would say anything they wanted. Prisoners were often tricked into saying they were a witch in exchange for freedom. I got a kick out of the woman who gets tortured till she's had enough and says I'll tell you everything and starts naming off everybody that's done her wrong and how there witches as well, smart idea. In my opinion everyone that cuts me off in traffic are witches. At the end he shows how modern day (being the 20's) it is hysteria and mental disorders, which we have specific names for every disorder he shows, and not the work of witches.
There are images of horror but it's more describing the peoples fear and nothing that actually happened.
I was surprised on the internet movie database that the only genre this falls into is horror. It's a a whole lot deeper than that i believe and plays true today and every decade since.
The real horror and probably the scariest of all is the judgmental ignorance and fear by man of anything different, and in this film if there was something that couldn't be understood, well then blame it on someone that looks and acts different and call them a Witch.
History repeats itself unfortunately you could use this same film today and use witches and then at the end of the movie you could replace mental disorders with Hitler and the Jews. You could use witches and then supplement mental disorders with slavery, racism and segregation. Again use witches and replace mental disorders with "the evil doers" our president refers too. Who will be the "witches" of the next generation? That is the horror.
This is a great and important film.
**DVD Features** from back cover

Haxan (1922) New digital, speed-corrected transfer of the Swedish Film Institutes's tinted restoration
-Music from the original danish premiere, arranged by film music specialist Gillian Anderson and performed by the Czech film orchestra, presented in Dolby Digital 5.0
-Commentary by Danish silent film scholar Casper Tybjerg
-Benjamin Christensen's introduction to the 1941 re-release
-A short selection of outtakes
-Bibliotheque Diabolique a photographic exploration of Christensen's historical sources
-Still gallery
-New English translation of intertitles
Witchcraft through the ages (1968) The 76 minute version of Haxan, narrated by William S. Burroughs, with a soundtrack featuring jean luc ponty

Perfect.......2007-02-16

I received the DVD within a week's time. Perfect condition, as stated, and plays perfectly. Most grateful.

An interesting film. The first two thirds better than the last.......2006-11-08

A very provocative look at the lore of witchcraft in Central Europe in the Middle Ages, and how many lives were destroyed by the Church. I enjoyed the documentary material which set up the narrative part of the film. The only part I found fault with was the end, where Christensen turns didactic, explaining how the witch hunters are still with us, persecuting victims of hysterical illness. But even in the last part there were some affecting moments.

I loved all the fantasy vignettes depicting the "witches'" false confessions of Black Sabbaths in the forest, and the horrific backlash of the Church. I can see why Benjamin Christensen was invited to the United States, and why Warner Brothers set him to work on old dark house comedy-horror projects. They were trying to repeat the success Universal had with German Director Paul Leni directing THE CAT AND THE CANARY.

I do love silent horror films from Europe (particularly Germany), and wish that Kino and Image, or Criterion would release more of them. I would particularly like to see restored versions of THE STUDENT OF PRAGUE and THE HANDS OF ORLAC, both starring Conrad Veidt. The version of THE STUDENT OF PRAGUE that's currently available is a poor copy of a 16 mm print, and deseves a better release.

A silent era milestone given the Criterion treatment.......2006-06-06

This film was mentioned briefly in the acclaimed CINEMA EUROPE: THE OTHE RHOLLYWOOD. Captivated by its imagery, I sought this film and found it under the pretigious Criterion banner. Wow!

The picture complete with color tints is amazing!

An enthralling musical soundtrack with some of classical music's finets pieces!

A terrific and informative commentary with Swedish film professor, Casper Tybjerg.!

An introduction by the director from the 40's!

An extensive biblography!

The 1968 jazzy version eclipsed in Hollywood pandering only by the Sid Shienberg cut of BRAZIL!

This is essential viewing for film students, filmmakers, and silent buffs!

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