Rating: 
Summary: Odd curio for collectors only
Review: This feature packed DVD has everything fans of this film could want. The trouble is, how many fans are there? It is an odd silent movie about witchcraft. Some scenes are over the top. Many are just dull. I did find the commentary interesting. In fact, the commentary was more interesting than the movie. Only for silent collectors and hard core film historians.
Rating:
Summary: ummm... yeah slightly amusing
Review: this is really just a live action (for most part) documentary about witchcraft and all, but in terms of entertainment, it's not that great, just slightly amusing.
Rating: 
Summary: Why?
Review: This movie is one of the best I have ever seen! Why is it not available with region code 2 - if it comes from sweden??? still waiting for that edition ...
Rating:
Summary: Haxan is Great!!
Review: This movie, in my opinion, is one of my favorite depictions of witchcraft and its history, mythology, horror, and customs. The movie is directed beautifully and hauntingly at the same time. Some of the images will stick with you forever. Benjamin Christensen's portrayal as the devil is frightning, yet somewhat humorous. This film definantely deserves a place in the top 100 greatest movies of all time. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: one of the first documentaries or "mockumetaries"
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD editon of the film.
This film, translated literally as "The Witch" can be classified as a documentary or mocumentary depending on your opinion of witchcraft.
I can see it as both for the reason that the term witchcraft can refer both to the Wiccan religion or the stereotypical witchcraft which is produced by Hollywood and the halloween industry.
As a traditionalist Christian, (I avoid the term 'fundamentalist' because of the negative connotations associated with that word)I can see this film as being shown in two different ways. As a documentary is can accurately depict what was stereotypical of witchcraft at the time but also as a mocumentary as the actual witchcraft religion is more of the New age (though it is old) relgion of Wicca.
The film begins with a series of woodcuts and reenactments of what was known at the time as witchcraft but also probably Satanism and possibly even Alchemy as many would see it today. It depicts scenes of 'witches' using the body parts of executed criminals for making a magic potion or brew. It implies that many of the people accused of witchcraft by the Catholic Church were actually mentally ill or may have had severe kyphosis or Parkinson's disease.
This, I beleieve is definately true as the Spanish Inquisition at the time would consider any opposition to be heresy. They even considered Christians who translated the Bible into English to be heretics.
The second part of the film backs up these claims with a dramatization of a Kleptomaniac (compulsive thief) in a jewelery shop. She tells the proprieter that she cannot stop herself from stealing things. The conclusion the film gives is that progressive treatment of the mentally ill is good which I agree with.
The film is unlikely to offend most people but is not appropriate for children in my opinion.
The special features on DVD are:
A reconstruction of the film's original musical accompaniment
Director Benjamin Christensen's introduction for the 1941 re-release
Commentary by scholar Caspar Tybjerg
A stills gallery
"Witchcraft throught the Ages" an edited version of the film narrated by William S Burroughs.
This remains one of the most famous Scandinavian films of the silent film era and is one that no one should miss.
Rating:
Summary: A Scandanavian Original Restored At Last.
Review: What a great time to be a silent film enthusiast. Thanks to video technology it's now possible to have access to more silent films than ever before and in the best condition since their original release. For years Danish director Benjamin Christensen's 1922 controversial "documentary" HAXAN (The Witch) has been available (when it's been available) in either lousy public domain copies projected at the wrong speed or in the extremely funky edited version narrated by William Burroughs with a modern jazz score. Now with the help of the Swedish Film Institute and Home Vision Cinema/Criterion Collection it is finally possible to see the film the way that Christensen intended it. Over thirty minutes of censored footage has been restored along with original tints that make this version far superior to anything that has been previously available. For those of you who know HAXAN only through the William Burroughs version known as WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES, it too has been included in this new release (DVD and VHS) so you can see the difference. Added bonuses include footage of Christensen in 1941 (in addition to directing he also portrayed Satan) and outtakes from various scenes. While not a great film it remains a remarkable, gripping experience full of striking images that stay with you long after the film is over. Although not a documentary in the true sense of the word, it does attempt to portray a selected history of what was called witchcraft and how it was brutally dealt with by the church. Scenes of nudity, torture, carnal lust, and flagellation helped to get it banned in several countries as well as heavily edited. While the film is not for everyone it should be seen at least once for once seen it cannot be forgotten and now it's possible to see it restored to its former glory. Although it's great to have the original version, it's also good to have the Burroughs version as well. Another excellent job from the Home Vision people (who brought us Dreyer's PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC and Pabst's PANDORA'S BOX). Thanks to the Criterion Collection for making it available on DVD. Though here in time for Halloween, HAXAN is definitely not for kids! Even after 80 years.
Rating: 
Summary: bewitching witchcraft
Review: While not the best copy of this fascinating and controversial film, this video is the only one currently available. Benjamin Christensen's stunning compositions convey the horror and beauty of medievel devil lore and illustrate vividly the fear of witches throughout history. William s. Burroughs narrates in suitably somber tones. This Swedish production of Danish director Christensen best illustrates why he was revered for his visual style and later brought over to work in Hollywood. Let us hope that someone transfers a pristine print of this masterpiece to dvd soon!
Rating:
Summary: A valuable seventy year old reference
Review: Witchcraft and demonic possession pervade popular entertainment and popular culture. "Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages" by director Benjamin Christensen is a valuable reference because the film *graphically details* 1920's perceptions concerning witchcraft and demonic possession. "Haxan: ..." illustrates kissing the devil's arse as a sign of respect, depicts demonic skin as rough and scaly like snakeskin, equates golden showers of coins (from slot machines?) with demonic lures, and states that the inability to shed tears signifies demonic possession (I can't cry anymore?).Updated in 1967 with narration by William Burroughs (author of "The Naked Lunch"), "Haxan: ..." is a study of ignorance, misery and poverty. The film attributes the origins of disease (including sexual dysfunction) and agricultural blight (with implied bestiality?) to witchcraft. The film discusses using a knotted cord (a modern witchcraft / Wiccan sigil) to cause male impotence and to prevent pregancy, while lager and wine goblets are dosed with aphrodisiacs. Numbness of women's backs (a reference to sexual dysfunction) is *stressed* as a sign of demonic possession. The film discusses the use of flails, spiked belts and spiked collars to purify the endangered soul by scourging the polluted body. Suspected witches are tortured both to confess their demonic possession and also to identify other witches. To escape further torture, suspected witches eagerly identify their personal enemies as practicing witches. ***The use of torture makes witch epidemics a self-fulfilling prophecy.*** "Haxon: ..." discusses 'The Burning Times' -- the inquisitions where convicted witches were burnt at the stake. Modern-day witches and Wiccans consider 'The Burning Times' a period of social and religious discrimination. One explanation for 'The Burning Times' _not_ discussed in "Haxan: ..." is that inquisitors viewed peasant and livestock's epileptic-like seizures from eating moist, ergot-infested grain as signs of demonic possession. Another explanation for 'The Burning Times' more in line with Haxan's sexual emphasis is that embarrassment and insecurity over bad marriages and/or illicit sexual affairs coupled with naive or overambitious inquisitors initiated the witch hunt, then torture-extracted confessions and accusations created the resulting witch emergency. Daniel Humair's avant garde jazz score helps communicate this macabre film's message. If one picture is worth a thousand words, then "Haxan: ..." is an perceptual encyclopedia concerning witchcraft and demonic possession.
Rating:
Summary: A valuable seventy year old reference
Review: Witchcraft and demonic possession pervade popular entertainment and popular culture. "Haxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages" by director Benjamin Christensen is a valuable reference because the film *graphically details* 1920's perceptions concerning witchcraft and demonic possession. "Haxan: ..." illustrates kissing the devil's arse as a sign of respect, depicts demonic skin as rough and scaly like snakeskin, equates golden showers of coins (from slot machines?) with demonic lures, and states that the inability to shed tears signifies demonic possession (I can't cry anymore?). Updated in 1967 with narration by William Burroughs (author of "The Naked Lunch"), "Haxan: ..." is a study of ignorance, misery and poverty. The film attributes the origins of disease (including sexual dysfunction) and agricultural blight (with implied bestiality?) to witchcraft. The film discusses using a knotted cord (a modern witchcraft / Wiccan sigil) to cause male impotence and to prevent pregancy, while lager and wine goblets are dosed with aphrodisiacs. Numbness of women's backs (a reference to sexual dysfunction) is *stressed* as a sign of demonic possession. The film discusses the use of flails, spiked belts and spiked collars to purify the endangered soul by scourging the polluted body. Suspected witches are tortured both to confess their demonic possession and also to identify other witches. To escape further torture, suspected witches eagerly identify their personal enemies as practicing witches. ***The use of torture makes witch epidemics a self-fulfilling prophecy.*** "Haxon: ..." discusses 'The Burning Times' -- the inquisitions where convicted witches were burnt at the stake. Modern-day witches and Wiccans consider 'The Burning Times' a period of social and religious discrimination. One explanation for 'The Burning Times' _not_ discussed in "Haxan: ..." is that inquisitors viewed peasant and livestock's epileptic-like seizures from eating moist, ergot-infested grain as signs of demonic possession. Another explanation for 'The Burning Times' more in line with Haxan's sexual emphasis is that embarrassment and insecurity over bad marriages and/or illicit sexual affairs coupled with naive or overambitious inquisitors initiated the witch hunt, then torture-extracted confessions and accusations created the resulting witch emergency. Daniel Humair's avant garde jazz score helps communicate this macabre film's message. If one picture is worth a thousand words, then "Haxan: ..." is an perceptual encyclopedia concerning witchcraft and demonic possession.
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