Haxan (1922)
Benjamin Christensen's brilliant docudrama exploring the role of superstition in medieval minds and the way in which witchcraft was always deemed responsible for anything out of the ordinary especially mental health issues and the age old crime of basically growing old.
The film depicts many satanic and occult activities from the concocting of potions and black magic rituals with the Devil himself to the capture and torture of those suspected of witchcraft.
Way ahead of it's time, even now it's strong stuff in places, especially the graphic descriptions of torture and dramatized look at the satanic rites conducted in the presence of the dark one himself. Several sequences made me feel uneasy and this feeling was more than aided by a terrific atmospheric score from Bronnt Industries Kapital specially created for this release. I did begin with the original Danish premier soundtrack but it was just too jolly for what was taking place on screen.
It was interesting to note how much of this film was referenced in this years The Witch.
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