Haxan
Haxan
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Synopsis

While not as well known as Nosferatu or The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, this incredible silent feature has had a major influence on the horror film, from the eerie Val Lewton productions to The Blair Witch Project (whose makers named their production company Haxan). A "history" of witchcraft is presented through reenactments of rituals descri bed in witchcraft trials of the 15th and 16th centuries, with incredible imager y (including some animation) and a darkly humorous streak aimed at then-contemporary psychiatric practices. This set includes a speed-correcte d transfer of the Swedish Film Institute's tinted restoration (104 mins.), featuring music from the original Danish premiere, as well as a more common ly seen, 1968 re-release (74 mins.) narrated by William S. Burroughs with musi c Benjamin Christensen---Sweden/Denmark---1922---104 mins./74 mins.

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  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
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   | Salt#1

Think "Weird Tales" crossed with "Mondo Cane". This influential curio could only have come from the rich 1920's era of film. Grotesque images, nudity, and implied torture are intermixed with a quasi-serious attempt at documentary objectiveness, most of which is patent nonsense. Long sequences tell the tale of several people in a certain town who are accused and executed for practicing witchcraft. There's a tie-in at the end which makes a typically pompous “Medical” attempt to explain the odd behavior of “witches” (just ‘hysterical’ women). Much unintentional humor (or feminist outrage, depending on ones’ politics) ensues. The sets are creepy, the lighting expressionistic, the acting a bit on the histrionic side, although it fits the overall feel of the move and is therefore effective. I watched the original film and not the later adaptation, so I won’t comment on the latter. You know you want to see it, so rent it! Where else are you going to see a dozen medieval hausfraus kissing a barrel-chested Satan’s butt? Woof!

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  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
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   | Jen#3

A classic of the horror genre. It's attempt at being an informative film regarding witchcraft is cute. I would see it just to see it.

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