I had wanted to see this film forever. Finally, I came upon the Criterion edition at Frys and eagerly spent the $30 on it as soon as I had the money.
I want my money back.
I had been expecting a horror film, showcasing the innovative special effects, the costumes, puppetry, etc, that was supposed to be so terrifying and spooky. There was that IN ONE OR TWO sequences, mostly during Maria the Weavers narrative of the witches Sabbath, and a couple of shorter scenes. But thats it.
The only other interesting part of the movie is the long sequence when the monks are torturing and witch hunting through the village. While this does give a good human look at the Burning Times, the plot is predictable, and is nothing we haven't see elsewhere.
The other segments of the film are hardly worth watching. The parts where Christensen in his Devil out fit pops up and scares the monks or nuns or seduces women in their beds are more amusing than anything. But not "darkly humorous" just chimerical.
The opening and ending of the film have slight historical interest, either as a documentary on witchcraft or as a historical document on psychology during the 1920s.
Overall a somewhat interesting film, but not for everyone. Read closely and know what you are getting the next time you spend 30 dollars.
I want my money back.
I had been expecting a horror film, showcasing the innovative special effects, the costumes, puppetry, etc, that was supposed to be so terrifying and spooky. There was that IN ONE OR TWO sequences, mostly during Maria the Weavers narrative of the witches Sabbath, and a couple of shorter scenes. But thats it.
The only other interesting part of the movie is the long sequence when the monks are torturing and witch hunting through the village. While this does give a good human look at the Burning Times, the plot is predictable, and is nothing we haven't see elsewhere.
The other segments of the film are hardly worth watching. The parts where Christensen in his Devil out fit pops up and scares the monks or nuns or seduces women in their beds are more amusing than anything. But not "darkly humorous" just chimerical.
The opening and ending of the film have slight historical interest, either as a documentary on witchcraft or as a historical document on psychology during the 1920s.
Overall a somewhat interesting film, but not for everyone. Read closely and know what you are getting the next time you spend 30 dollars.