Häxan

 When I first saw the 1922 silent film Haxan written and directed by Benjamin Christensen, it was entitled 'Witchcraft Through the Ages'. At that time this 76-minute version was available through my local video store, originally produced in Swedish in black and white, it contained English subtitles.  Based somewhat on the director's study of the 15th century book Malleus Maleficarum, a hellacious mass produced inquisitors' handbook of its day, the story opens through the eyes of believers in the devil lured to Sabbatic orgies and tender baby broth feasts in scary woods at midnight. 

Said to be the most expensive Scandinavian silent film ever produced, two-million krone equaling 2,681,791.97 U'.S. dollars today, Haxan was an enormous hit in Sweden and Denmark, however it was criticized, censored and banned in other parts of the world including the U.S. due to its graphic scenes and lurid nature. Regardless, the production is well done; the lighting, props and sets create a haunting mood.  The action, emotions, make-up and costumes of the actors are excellent. 

Haxan attempts to be a historical view of witchcraft done in seven parts or vignettes beginning with a slide-show alternating inter-titles with paintings, woodcuts and drawings illustrating the behavior of people in the Middle Ages regarding their vision of demons and witches during the witchcraft persecution. 

Christensen's objective was to present the film as a documentary demonstrating a correlation between the actions, aliments, mannerisms, practices and attitudes attributed to so called witches and the modern affects and views of mental hysteria in his day.  Therefore he believed diagnosis was impossible during the prevalence of a deep-seated belief in superstitious concepts during a time of heavy religious canvassing of the population at large.  All this, says Christensen lead to what we know as 'The Witchcraft Hysteria' and the misunderstanding and prejudice surrounding mental illness.  Although panned in some camps, this idea raises questions surrounding the lack of human mental illness diagnosis of the time along with treatment overshadowed by superstitious, religious dogma that wielded both the gavel and the noose. 

 Scenes include: witches flying to the Sabbat; a witch applying a cure; dancing 'round the fire; devils and demons playing musical instruments; the purchase of a magical love potion; the magic circle; the carnal embrace of women; child sacrifice; a demon pleasuring himself; depravity through the devil's hedonism; possessed nuns; the devil chastising monks; the Inquisition, confessions, torture and death. 

In the final vignette of the film Christensen attempts to show how people would be treated today with regard to mental illness and disease. He points out a case of sleep walking and another involving kleptomania and suggests these illnesses might have viewed as forms of demonic possession instead of psychological ailments. 

The 1922 Danish silent film Haxan has been newly presented by The Criterion Collection in DVD format and contains the new 104 min. version along with the original 76 min. version released in 1968.  The film is now accompanied by a musical score by Jean-Luc Ponty and narration by William S. Burroughs. Whether this enhances or detracts from the original version is up to the opinion of the viewer.