#134: CHRISTENSEN, Benjamin: Häxan (1922)
CHRISTENSEN, Benjamin (Denmark)
Häxan [1922]
Spine #134
DVD
DVD
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.
104 minutes
Color (restored tinting)
Color (restored tinting)
Dolby Digital 5.0 surround score
Swedish intertitles
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2001
Director/Writer
Benjamin Christensen was 43 when he wrote and directed Häxan.
The Film
The Film
Film Rating (0-60):
The Booklet
Eight-page wraparound featuring an essay by Gillian Anderson.
Commentary
By Danish silent film scholar Casper Tybjerg.
Christensen’s introduction
60
The ExtrasThe Booklet
Eight-page wraparound featuring an essay by Gillian Anderson.
Commentary
By Danish silent film scholar Casper Tybjerg.
Christensen’s introduction
To the 1941 re-release.
Short selection
Short selection
Of outtakes.
Bibliothèque Diabolique
Bibliothèque Diabolique
A photographic exploration of Christensen’s historical sources.
Stills gallery
Extras Rating (0-40):
Stills gallery
Extras Rating (0-40):
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