Title: Haxan
Year: 1923
Country: Denmark/Sweden
Director: Benjamin Christensen
Producer: N/A (not given)
Genre: Documentary & Horror
Runtime: 104 minutes
Viewed: July 9, 2010
Review: This movie was not exactly what I had expected it to be, I knew it would be about witchcraft but towards the end of the film it takes an extremely odd turn. Honestly, I've taken a couple days before writing this review because I'm not completely sure what to say. I did not like the movie overall, I felt it went on and on, especially with the picture interruptions that provided a history lesson. The history lessons made more sense at the end of the film, with the twist being that people who could be claimed to be witches may just suffer from hysteria because both end up having similar temperaments. But overall I did not feel like the history lesson was necessary, it honestly could have just gone on with the movie and made sense. I guess it made sense with the twist, especially when you consider people who suffer from hysteria do see things, such as witches supposedly do, and in a time (in the film) where if you were accused to be a witch you were punished, and more than likely burned at the stake. I felt like the message of the film was really that we should treat those that suffer from psychiatric problems better, but with the rest of the film it just doesn't seem to make sense. Drake put it best when she stated that, "The end of the movie just got preachy." The best part about the film would be the costumes of the "devils" and the effort that was put into the set designs.
Rating:
2 Shamrocks
2 Soccer balls
Movie 16 down... 985 to go!
I got your message over at my blog. You are a bit behind me, so if you have trouble finding some of the films feel free to contact me. Of the 1001, I haven't seen 31 (see sidebar about why I continue to live)--and that's because I can't rent them through Netflix or they haven't been shown on TV in forever (if ever). I'm surprised you found The Smiling Madame Beudet in English--prints are very rare. If you read French it is easier to find a copy. As for Korkarlen (The Phantom Carriage), you shouldn't have bought it--TCM shows it about twice a year. You shouldn't have any problem with the next couple of films, but Greed is extremely hard to find...but you are in luck TCM will show it on Sept 22 so TIVO it if you can.
ReplyDeleteThanks! We are watching them in order though so that's why I bought Korkarlen instead of waiting for it to be on. But the info on Greed is very helpful. How do you find it easiest to get people to follow your blog? I really like it and will continue to follow up on it!
ReplyDeleteI belong to the CMBA (Classic Movie Blog Association) and we all promote each other's blogs. Plus, there are a few sites that republish my blog. A lot of my posts are first published on the Classic Film and TV Cafe blog--they get first dibs since they have more followers. I just write and hope people read...but I do it mostly for myself.
ReplyDeleteOh, and if you are watching them in order I hope you have a Netflix account. I think you have Foolish Wives next and you aren't gonna find that on TV very often and most assuredly you won't find it at the corner video store.
ReplyDelete