Häxan (1922)
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- Not Rated
- 1h 31min
- Documentary, Fantasy
- 27 May 1929 (USA)
- Movie
Fictionalized documentary showing the evolution of witchcraft, from its pagan roots to its confusion with hysteria in Eastern Europe.
Director:
Writer:
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Maren Pedersen | ... |
Heksen / The Witch
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| Clara Pontoppidan | ... |
Nonne / Nun
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| Elith Pio | ... |
Heksedommer / Witch Judge (The Young Monk)
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| Oscar Stribolt | ... |
Graabroder / Doctor (The Fat Monk)
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| Tora Teje | ... |
En hysterisk kvinde / Modern Hysteric (The Kleptomaniac)
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John Andersen | ... |
Chief Inquisitor
(as Johs Andersen)
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| Benjamin Christensen | ... |
Djævlen / The Devil
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Poul Reumert | ... |
Juveler / Jeweler
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Karen Winther | ... |
Anna's Sister
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Kate Fabian | ... |
Gammel jomfru / Old Maid
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Else Vermehren | ... |
Nonne / Nun
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| Astrid Holm | ... |
Anna
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Johannes Andersen | ... |
Heksedommer / Witch Judge
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Gerda Madsen | ... |
Nonne / Nun
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| Aage Hertel | ... |
Heksedommer / Witch Judge
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| Ib Schønberg | ... |
Heksedommer / Witch Judge
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Emmy Schønfeld | ... |
Marie, the Seamstress
(as Emmy Schönfeld)
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Frederik Christensen | ... |
Borger / Citizen
(as Frederick Christensen)
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Ella La Cour | ... |
Troldkvinde / Magician
(as Ella la Cour)
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Elisabeth Christensen | ... |
En ældre bondekone / Older Farm Lady
(as Elizabeth Christensen)
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| Henry Seemann | ... |
Borger / Citizen
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Alice O'Fredericks | ... |
Nonne / Nun
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Knud Rassow | ... |
Anatomen
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| William S. Burroughs | ... |
Narrator (1968 re-release) (voice)
(as William Burroughs)
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Ellen Rassow | ... |
En tjenestepige / Maid
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Holst Jørgensen | ... |
Ole Kighul
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H.C. Nielsen | ... |
Juveler assistent / Jeweler's Assistant
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Albrecht Schmidt | ... |
Nervelæge / Neurologist
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Karina Bell | ... |
Nun (uncredited)
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Karen Caspersen | ... |
Unidentified (uncredited)
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Holger Pedersen | ... |
Unidentified (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Benjamin Christensen | ||
Written by
| Benjamin Christensen | ... | () |
Music by
| Matti Bye | ... | (restored version: 2006) |
| Launy Grøndahl | ||
| Daniel Humair | ... | (1968) |
| Barði Jóhannsson | ... | (new score 2006) (as Bardi Johannsson) |
| Emil Reesen | ... | (1941) |
| Ludwig van Beethoven | ... | (original score 1922) (as Ludwig von Beethoven) |
| Art Zoyd | ... | (1997) |
Cinematography by
| Johan Ankerstjerne | ||
Editing by
| Edla Hansen | ||
Art Direction by
| Richard Louw | ||
Set Decoration by
| Richard Louw | ||
Art Department
| L. Mathiesen | ... | art department assistant |
| Helge Norél | ... | art department assistant |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Rudolf Frederiksen | ... | assistant camera |
Music Department
| Daniel Humair | ... | musician: percussion: 1968 re-release |
| Bernard Lubat | ... | musician: piano organ: 1968 re-release |
| Guy Pedersen | ... | musician: double bass: 1968 re-release |
| Jean-Luc Ponty | ... | musician: violin: 1968 re-release |
| Michel Portal | ... | musician: flute: 1968 re-release |
| Ludwig van Beethoven | ... | music: 1922 version |
Script and Continuity Department
| Alice O'Fredericks | ... | script girl |
Additional Crew
| Antony Balch | ... | re-release producer |
| Paul Brewer | ... | unspecified assistant (1968 release) |
| Norman Glass | ... | unspecified assistant |
Thanks
| Jeffrey Prawdiuk-Spurr | ... | special thanks: esoteric cut |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Filmindustri AB Skandias Filmbyrå (1922) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Universum Film (UFA) (1924) (Germany) (theatrical)
- International Telefilm Enterprises (1974) (Canada) (theatrical)
- The Criterion Collection (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- Palisades Tartan (2009) (United Kingdom)
- The Criterion Channel (2019) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- The Criterion Collection (2019) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- American International Video Search Inc. (video)
- Newsreel and Dubbing Services (sound recorded at) (1968 re-release)
- Rank Film Laboratories (titles) (1968 re-release)
- Studios Europasonor (music recorded at) (1968 re-release)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Part history lesson followed by re-enactments with actors, this film depicts the history of witchcraft from its earliest days through to the present day (in this case,1922 or thereabouts). The result is a documentary-like film that must be among the first to use re-enactments as a visual and narrative tool. From pagan worship to satanic rites to hysteria, the film takes you on a journey through the ages with highly effective visual sequences. Written by garykmcd |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Benjamin Christensens stora film. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | SEK2,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| 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). See more » |
| 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. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into From Camille to Joan of Arc (1961). See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Director Benjamin Christensen personally thanks his cinematographer and art director through the opening titles. See more » |
| Quotes |
Title Card:
Poor little hysterical witch! In the middle ages you were in conflict with the church. Now it is with the law. See more » |