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Häxan

  • 1922
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
15K
YOUR RATING
Häxan (1922)
Watch Trailer [OV]
Play trailer2:12
1 Video
99+ Photos
DocumentaryFantasyHorror

Fictionalized documentary showing the evolution of witchcraft, from its pagan roots to its confusion with hysteria in Eastern Europe.Fictionalized documentary showing the evolution of witchcraft, from its pagan roots to its confusion with hysteria in Eastern Europe.Fictionalized documentary showing the evolution of witchcraft, from its pagan roots to its confusion with hysteria in Eastern Europe.

  • Director
    • Benjamin Christensen
  • Writer
    • Benjamin Christensen
  • Stars
    • Benjamin Christensen
    • Elisabeth Christensen
    • Maren Pedersen
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Benjamin Christensen
    • Writer
      • Benjamin Christensen
    • Stars
      • Benjamin Christensen
      • Elisabeth Christensen
      • Maren Pedersen
    • 110User reviews
    • 96Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 2:12
    Watch Trailer [OV]

    Photos129

    Benjamin Christensen in Häxan (1922)
    Maren Pedersen in Häxan (1922)
    Häxan (1922)
    Benjamin Christensen in Häxan (1922)
    Häxan (1922)
    Benjamin Christensen in Häxan (1922)
    Benjamin Christensen in Häxan (1922)
    Benjamin Christensen in Häxan (1922)
    Häxan (1922)
    Häxan (1922)
    Häxan (1922)
    Tora Teje in Häxan (1922)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Benjamin Christensen
    Benjamin Christensen
    • Djævlen…
    Elisabeth Christensen
    • En ældre bondekone
    • (as Elizabeth Christensen)
    • …
    Maren Pedersen
    Maren Pedersen
    • Heksen…
    Clara Pontoppidan
    Clara Pontoppidan
    • Nonne…
    Elith Pio
    Elith Pio
    • Heksedommer…
    Oscar Stribolt
    Oscar Stribolt
    • Graabroder…
    Tora Teje
    Tora Teje
    • En hysterisk kvinde…
    John Andersen
    • Chief Inquisitor
    • (as Johs Andersen)
    Poul Reumert
    • Juveler…
    Karen Winther
    • Anna's Sister
    Kate Fabian
    • Gammel jomfru…
    Else Vermehren
    • Nonne…
    Astrid Holm
    Astrid Holm
    • Anna
    Johannes Andersen
    • Heksedommer…
    Gerda Madsen
    • Nonne…
    Aage Hertel
    Aage Hertel
    • Heksedommer…
    Ib Schønberg
    Ib Schønberg
    • Heksedommer…
    Emmy Schønfeld
    • Marie, the Seamstress
    • (as Emmy Schönfeld)
    • Director
      • Benjamin Christensen
    • Writer
      • Benjamin Christensen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Swedish film censors required numerous cuts in the film, before authorizing its release. Among the censored scenes were the closeup of the finger being removed from the hanged man's hand, the trampling of the cross in the witch's sabbath scene, the shot of the oozing infant held over a cooking pot, a closeup of a woman's face while she is on a torture rack, closeups of several instruments of torture being employed, and a shot of a demon embracing a nude woman (all these shots have since been restored to the film).
    • Goofs
      The skeletal horse-like creature wandering around during the Sabbath clearly is being moved about by a couple of stage hands, hidden under the blanket that covers its "body". The feet of the crew member at the front of the monster are visible in one shot.
    • Quotes

      Title Card: Poor little hysterical witch! In the middle ages you were in conflict with the church. Now it is with the law.

    • Crazy credits
      Director Benjamin Christensen personally thanks his cinematographer and art director through the opening titles.
    • Alternate versions
      Witchcraft Through the Ages (1968), the 76-minute version of Häxan, narrated by William S. Burroughs, with a soundtrack featuring Jean-Luc Ponty
    • Connections
      Edited into From Camille to Joan of Arc (1961)

    User reviews110

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Criterion uncovers a gem
    I found this 1922 "documentary" to be amazing in it's inovative and creative portrayal of witchcraft in the middle ages. Scenes of nudity and torture made this film very controversial in 1922 and caused it to be banned as well as greatly edited in later versions. Criterion has done a great job of preserving the film as it was intended to be seen with censored footage restored, an excellent tinted print, a corrected "projection" speed, a new score that recreates the music played at the original Danish premiere, and some interesting extras. The 1968 William Burroughs narrarated version is also included here and it's pretty ridiculous. The jazz soundtrack is just so very wrong. But still, it's interesting to see, kind of like the "Love Conquers All" version of Brazil. I think that anyone who is interested in film and film history will find this dvd facinating.
    helpful•36
    2
    • smitchell-1
    • Jun 26, 2003

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    FAQ1

    • What are the classical selections performed by the ensemble credited at the end of the film.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 27, 1929 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Sweden
      • Denmark
    • Languages
      • Swedish
      • Danish
    • Also known as
      • Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages
    • Filming locations
      • Copenhagen, Denmark
    • Production companies
      • Aljosha Production Company
      • Svensk Filmindustri (SF)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • SEK 2,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
      • Silent
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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