2016 restoration of the original uncut version conducted from a 35mm duplicate negative, which accurately retains the silent presentation originally intended by director Benjamin Christensen. Although Christensen lauded the musical accompaniment from the Sweden premiere in Filmjournalen magazine, he remarks in the same interview, "I myself wanted to have the film run without music" (Filmjournalen, October 8, 1922). In accordance with Christensen's intentions, HÄXAN is presented here without music.
The original uncut version features 15 minutes of footage that were removed by Swedish Media Council prior to the initial theatrical release on September 18, 1922. IMDB incorrectly lists a 122-min runtime without citing any sources. Records at the Swedish Film Database confirm the original uncut version is approximately 106 minutes, which was catalogued under censorship number 28098 on November 26, 1921.
NOTE: In the United States, the film was released as WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES in 1968. The film was subjected to additional revisions, reducing the runtime to 76 minutes.
A hybrid of documentary and fiction that explores the history of witchcraft, demonology and satanism. Written and directed by Benjamin Christensen.
