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Witchhammer

Original title: Kladivo na carodejnice
  • 19701970
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
Witchhammer (1970)
DramaHistoryHorror
In the 1600s, an overzealous clergy hauls innocent women in front of tribunals, forces them to confess to imaginary witchery, and engages in brutal torture and persecution of their subjects.In the 1600s, an overzealous clergy hauls innocent women in front of tribunals, forces them to confess to imaginary witchery, and engages in brutal torture and persecution of their subjects.In the 1600s, an overzealous clergy hauls innocent women in front of tribunals, forces them to confess to imaginary witchery, and engages in brutal torture and persecution of their subjects.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.5K
YOUR RATING
    • Otakar Vávra
    • Václav Kaplický(novel)
    • Otakar Vávra(screenplay)
    • Ester Krumbachová(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Vladimír Smeral
    • Elo Romancik
    • Josef Kemr
    • Otakar Vávra
    • Václav Kaplický(novel)
    • Otakar Vávra(screenplay)
    • Ester Krumbachová(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Vladimír Smeral
    • Elo Romancik
    • Josef Kemr
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos31

    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vladimír Smeral
    Vladimír Smeral
    • Boblig
    Elo Romancik
    Elo Romancik
    • Lautner
    Josef Kemr
    Josef Kemr
    • Ignác
    Sona Valentová
    Sona Valentová
    • Zuzana
    Blanka Waleská
    Blanka Waleská
    • Hrabenka de Galle
    Lola Skrbková
    • Maryna
    Jirina Stepnicková
    Jirina Stepnicková
    • Dorota Groerová
    Marie Nademlejnská
    • Davidka
    Miriam Kantorková
    Miriam Kantorková
    • Tobiásová
    Eduard Cupák
    Eduard Cupák
    • Farár Schmidt
    Martin Ruzek
    Martin Ruzek
    • Biskop
    Cestmír Randa
    Cestmír Randa
    • Dékan Vojtech Winkler
    Ilja Prachar
    Ilja Prachar
    • Rychtár Gaup
    Gustav Opocenský
    Gustav Opocenský
    • Sekretár Schmidt - Bratr Faráre
    Václav Lohniský
    Václav Lohniský
    • Mnich
    Blazena Holisová
    Blazena Holisová
    • Sattlerová
    Jaroslava Obermaierová
    Jaroslava Obermaierová
    • Líza
    Stepán Zemánek
    • Vinarský
      • Otakar Vávra
      • Václav Kaplický(novel)
      • Otakar Vávra(screenplay)
      • Ester Krumbachová(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Due to its resemblance to the atmosphere of fear and compulsory confessions that characterized the Stalinist-era Eastern European Communist countries' methods of the 1950s, the film was removed from release and appeared on television in the Eastern Bloc only after 1989.
    • Goofs
      The violin (string instruments) scene of the oligarchs when the maid watches is off timing so much it creates humorous empathy where a romantic emphasis is the focus. Considering the serious nature of the film this was not intended and a lapse in production quality.
    • Connections
      Featured in Monsterquest: American Werewolf (2008)

    User reviews15

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Bleak, dark and allegorical
    While the setting and the historical source of the movie is that of the late 17th century, don't be fooled, this is a movie about communism. More accurately, about the wretched logic the communist justice system has used to imprison and kill hundreds of people in the Czechoslovakian 50s. The forced confessions, self-accusal, torture and naming of innocent accomplices were all part of communist processes in which such as Milada Horáková perished.

    There are plenty of analogies in the movie which I don't intend to spoil. The atmosphere is crafted masterfully, giving the film a bleak and dark look and amplifying the effects of its story. The performances are very good, however I don't know how well does the original czech translate into the subtitles. What keeps this from being a 10 out of 10 is the pacing. In a certain point of the movie, the end becomes obvious and the rest is just a hammer that drives the nail of absolute despair into your brain.
    helpful•9
    4
    • dmlucifer
    • Jun 7, 2013

    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 23, 1970 (Czechoslovakia)
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Czech
    • Also known as
      • Velké Losiny, Czech Republic
    • Production company
      • Filmové studio Barrandov
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 47 minutes
      • Black and White
      • Mono

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