Haxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages (1920) (Criterion Collection; Both 1922 and 1968 Versions)

The Criterion Witch

By K  Oct 16, 2004

Pros: Excellent extras of behind the scenes footage

Cons: This film is underrated

This is not a movie review, but a DVD review. This may contain some spoilers, but will not go into detail of the plot. Please consult another venue for information on the movie itself.------------------
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----------------I fir...st seen this film years ago on PBS when I was a preteen. Now that I am thirty and have purchased the Criterion release of Haxan, I am totally in awe.The film I had seen on PBS was embedded in my head because of its awesome scenery, something important for silent films. The grain of the film gave it a more contraversial feel since this was released in 1922 and depicted images of daemons and witchery unseen before. When I first seen it, generations later, I could still see contraversy in it. The grain now, however, is cleaned-up, and restored an antique color hue/tint to various scenes. Beautiful crisp images fill the screen, making the Devil (played by director Benjamin Christensen himself) more realistic than the Exorcist's Pazuzu (speaking of: Pazuzu is first mentioned and shown in this film, later referenced and characterized in the tale and film The Exorcist). It's truly amazing how this reel got so cleaned up and speed-corrected.The extras are even more extraordinary than the film itself. There is a collection of outtakes (or what I want to call Behind the Scenes) that will blow your mind. How often do you see a film before the forties even have FOOTAGE of outtakes, besides photos? Here, you will see special effects test of the "witches flight", set design work, of what appears to be just Christensen being himself, and stills gallery. What is interesting, but I could have done without, was the 1968 William S. Burroughs narrated version, filled with '60's dope music, full-screened, and cut. I'm am glad that this was included, for historical value, but I just can't stomach it. Too darn trippy, and (ironically) blasphemous to Christensen's version.This "documentary" has long been underrated. Ahead of it's time in f/x and content, this RSDL dual-layer edition will aim to please. Criterion's new release, and best transfer to date by them, is for the Horror film enthusiast and collector who takes their films seriously. Read more Less