Repertory Pick: A Devilish Good Time
January 17, 2013
Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen’s legendary film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the Middle Ages suffered the same hysteria as turn-of-the-century psychiatric patients. But the film itself is far from serious—instead it’s a witches’ brew of the scary, gross, and darkly humorous. The Criterion Collection is proud to present two versions of this genre-defying “documentary,” for the first time ever on DVD.
| The devil | Benjamin Christensen |
| The scribe's wife, Anna | Astrid Holm |
| Anna's sister | Karen Winther |
| Maria the weaver, a witch | Maren Pedersen |
| Apelone, a poor old woman | Wilhelmine Henriksen |
| Old maid | Kate Fabian |
| Friar | Oscar Stribolt |
| Sister Cecilia, a nun | Clara Pontoppidan |
| Nun | Alice O'Fredericks |
| Father Henrik, witch judge | Johannes Andersen |
| Johannes, witch judge | Elith Pio |
| Witch judge | Aage Hertel |
| Witch judge | Ib Schönberg |
| Director | Benjamin Christensen |
| Screenplay | Benjamin Christensen |
| Cinematography | Johan Ankerstjerne |
| Editing | Edla Hansen |
| Set decoration | Richard Louw |
By October 15, 2001
Born in Denmark in 1879, Benjamin Christensen had a varied career before he entered the Danish . . . Read more »
By October 15, 2001
Häxan had its world premiere in Stockholm, on September 18, 1922. The score that accompanied . . . Read more »
By October 15, 2001
Born in Denmark in 1879, Benjamin Christensen had a varied career before he entered the Danish . . . Read more »
By October 15, 2001
Häxan had its world premiere in Stockholm, on September 18, 1922. The score that accompanied . . . Read more »
By October 15, 2001
Born in Denmark in 1879, Benjamin Christensen had a varied career before he entered the Danish . . . Read more »
By October 15, 2001
Häxan had its world premiere in Stockholm, on September 18, 1922. The score that accompanied . . . Read more »