Witchhammer (1970)
Kladivo na carodejnice (original title)Reference View | Change View
- 1h 47min
- Drama, History
- 23 Jan 1970 (Czechoslovakia)
- Movie
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.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 3 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Vladimír Smeral | ... |
Boblig
|
|
| Elo Romancík | ... |
Lautner
|
|
| Josef Kemr | ... |
Ignác
|
|
| Sona Valentová | ... |
Zuzana
|
|
| Blanka Waleská | ... |
Hrabenka de Galle
|
|
 |
Lola Skrbková | ... |
Maryna
|
| Jirina Stepnicková | ... |
Dorota Groerová
|
|
|
|
Marie Nademlejnská | ... |
Davidka
|
| Miriam Kantorková | ... |
Tobiásová
|
|
| Eduard Cupák | ... |
Farár Schmidt
|
|
| Martin Ruzek | ... |
Biskop
|
|
| Cestmír Randa | ... |
Dékan Vojtech Winkler
|
|
| Ilja Prachar | ... |
Rychtár Gaup
|
|
| Gustav Opocenský | ... |
Sekretár Schmidt - Bratr Faráre
|
|
| Václav Lohniský | ... |
Mnich
|
|
| Blazena Holisová | ... |
Sattlerová
|
|
| Jaroslava Obermaierová | ... |
Líza
|
|
|
|
Stepán Zemánek | ... |
Vinarský
|
| Jirí Holý | ... |
Farár König
|
|
| Lubor Tokos | ... |
Sattler
|
|
| Rudolf Krátký | ... |
Hutter
|
|
| Frantisek Holar | ... |
Jakl
|
|
| Zdenek Kryzánek | ... |
Zeidler
|
|
| Milos Willig | ... |
Dr. Mayer
|
|
| Josef Bláha | ... |
Hrabe Sternberg - Statní Sekretár
|
|
|
|
Josef Mixa | ... |
Florian
|
|
|
Josef Elsner | ... |
Hejtman
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
|
|
Zbynek Bruthans | ... |
Mnich Carolus
|
|
|
Marie Cingrosová | ... |
Matka s Dítetem
|
|
|
Ludek Forétek | ... |
Lancknecht
|
|
|
Zbynek Jirmár | ... |
Mnich Páter Crescentius
|
|
|
Martin Kapoun | ... |
Ministrant
|
|
|
Yvonne Kodonová |
|
|
|
|
Oto Rademacher | ... |
Pomocník Kata
|
|
|
Zuzana Rumlová |
|
|
|
|
Karel Belohradský | ... |
Biric (uncredited)
|
|
|
Zuzana Cigánová | ... |
(uncredited)
|
|
|
Karel Cízek | ... |
Biric (uncredited)
|
|
|
Zdenek Dohnal | ... |
(uncredited)
|
|
|
Ladislav Gzela | ... |
Zebrák (uncredited)
|
| Zdenek Hodr | ... |
Vraný (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Jirí Hurta | ... |
Mnich (uncredited)
|
|
|
Milos Hájek | ... |
Mydlár Jan Prerovský (uncredited)
|
| Jirí Lír | ... |
Sekretár Soudu (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Vladimír Navrátil | ... |
Lokaj (uncredited)
|
|
|
Eduard Pavlícek | ... |
Biric (uncredited)
|
| Jan Pohan | ... |
Biric (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Gabriela Preissová | ... |
Mestka (uncredited)
|
|
|
Jan Prokes | ... |
Dozorce Umlauf (uncredited)
|
|
|
Vladimír Svabík | ... |
Sluha (uncredited)
|
|
|
Boleslava Svobodová | ... |
Lazebnice (uncredited)
|
|
|
Alois Vachek | ... |
Kostelník Jindrich Bittner (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| Otakar Vávra | ||
Written by
| Václav Kaplický | ... | (novel) |
| Otakar Vávra | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Ester Krumbachová | ... | (screenplay) |
Music by
| Jirí Srnka | ||
Cinematography by
| Josef Illík | ... | (as Josef Illík) |
Editing by
| Antonín Zelenka | ||
Production Design by
| Ester Krumbachová | ||
| Karel Skvor | ||
Set Decoration by
| Karel Lukas | ||
Costume Design by
| Jarmila Konecna | ... | (as Jarmila Konecná) |
Makeup Department
| Jirí Simon | ... | makeup artist (as Jiri Simon) |
Production Management
| Jaroslav Solnicka | ... | production manager |
| Ludmila Tikovská | ... | assistant production manager (as L. Tilkovská) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Milan Jonás | ... | assistant director |
Sound Department
| Frantisek Strangmüller | ... | sound |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Jitka Bylinská | ... | still photographer |
| Adolf Hejzlar | ... | second camera operator |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Venceslava Ruzicková | ... | key costumer |
Music Department
| Antonio Vivaldi | ... | composer: additional music |
Script and Continuity Department
| Dagmar Nováková | ... | script supervisor |
Additional Crew
| Vladimír Bor | ... | production team |
| Václav Mencl | ... | consultant |
| Jirí Sebor | ... | production team |
| Frantisek Spurný | ... | consultant |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Ústrední Pujcovna Filmu (1970) (Czechoslovakia) (theatrical)
- Centuria Films (1971) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Corona Cinematografica (1971) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Bontonfilm (2005) (Czechia) (DVD)
- Alive Vertrieb und Marketing (2015) (Germany) (DVD)
- Second Run (2018) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Severin Films (2021) (World-wide) (Blu-ray)
- The Criterion Channel (2023) (United States) (video) (VOD) (subtitled)
- Sinister Cinema (United States) (DVD) (as 'Windhammer') (widescreen) (subtitled)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The time is the seventeenth century. The beggar Maryna Schuchová hides the Host in her scarf at the Communion. She admits to the parish priest Schmidt that she intended to give it to the midwife Groerová to heal her ailing cow. The young priest declares her a witch and convinces the Sumperk countess De Galle to summon the inquisitor Boblig from Edelstadt. This failed student of law sees the offer as a great opportunity. He uses torture and threats to force the women from the to testify to their meetings with the devil and learn by heart the lies he has made up for the inquisition tribunal. Boblig accuses the wealthy burghers of witchcraft as well, and so wants to seize their possessions. Written by NFA.cz |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Due to its resemblance to the atmosphere of fear and compulsory confessions that characterized the Stalinist-era Central European Communist countries' methods of the 1950s, the film was removed from release and appeared on television in the former 'Eastern Bloc' only after 1989. See more » |
| 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. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in American Werewolf (2008). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Violin Concerto No. 6 in A minor RV 356 'L'estro armonico' III. Presto See more » |