#134: CHRISTENSEN, Benjamin: Häxan (1922)

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CHRISTENSEN, Benjamin (Denmark)
Häxan [1922]
Spine #134
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)
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

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The 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

Of outtakes.
Bibliothèque Diabolique

A photographic exploration of Christensen’s historical sources.
Stills gallery

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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