HÄXAN (1922)

4 stars

Radiance Films. Blu Ray. 28th October

HÄXAN (The Witch) is something of a curio, being given the full deluxe treatment by Radiance – a Swedish silent movie documentary with dramatic reenactments on witchcraft and satanic practices through the ages. Presented in seven parts it was the brainchild of one Benjamin Christensen, who both wrote and directed and took the plum role of Satan for himself.

Christensen took several years to research his subject matter and at the time of it’s production this was the most expensive film shot in Sweden – not surprising when you see some of the incredible depictions that were created for the movie. Controversial on release, this also hit censorship issues in many countries.

Radiance are releasing the film in a lush restoration with newly generated intertitles – considering this is over 100 years old it looks incredible. Alongside this beautiful looking presentation, which was created by Svensk Filmindustri, and has a score by Matti Bye, we also get what is probably the version that most people have seen – the 77 minute WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES. In 1968, film director Antony Balch created this cut down version, removing the intertitles and adding narration by William S. Burroughs. This was taken from a 16mm dupe neg and inevitably isn’t in as good shape as the main rendition.

Not content with just these two versions, disc 2 in this set has the restoration presented with scores by Bronnt Industries Kapital and Geoff Smith. Alongside this we have the so called Esoteric Cut – an alternate edit with English intertitles and soundtrack by Lawrence Leherissey which runs to 84 minutes. Want more? You also get, from 1990 and taken from a VHS master, Witchcraft Through the Ages, an alternate 82 minute French version narrated Jean-Pierre Kalfon. Phew!

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

These are all on the first disc

1941 intro to the film by Christensen (8 mins)

Outtakes – test footage shot by the director (12 mins)

Costume test footage for one of the satanic figures (2 mins)

Guillermo del Toro, who is a big fan of the film, reflects on its legacy and influence (14 mins)

For Satan: The Convert’s Guide to Häxan – visual essay (12 mins)

Audio commentary by horror experts Guy Adams and A.K. Benedict

Plus Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow; Six postcards of original promotional stills; Limited edition 80-page book featuring new writing by Pamela Hutchinson, Daniel Bird, Kat Ellinger, Brad Stevens plus archival writing by Tom Milne and extracts from the press book