Häxan, also known as Witchcraft Through the Ages, is a Swedish-Danish silent horror film released in 1922. Directed and written by Benjamin Christensen, the film explores the history of witchcraft and its depiction in art and literature. The film presents a series of vignettes portraying witches and their rituals, along with intertitles and documentary-style narration.
The film is divided into seven parts, each covering different aspects of witchcraft, such as the beliefs and practices of medieval witches, their persecution and torture, witchcraft and sexuality, and the role of the devil and demons. The film also draws parallels between the superstitions and fears of the medieval era and the emerging field of psychiatry in the early 20th century.
The production of the film was highly innovative for its time, featuring elaborate and frightening special effects, such as levitation, possession, and demonic transformations. The film also blends documentary and drama elements, with Christensen himself appearing as a narrator and as the devil.
One of the most memorable scenes of the film is the depiction of a witch's Sabbath, in which the naked witches dance and worship the devil, depicted as a horned, goat-like creature. The scene is both shocking and comedic, with the witches engaging in absurd and grotesque acts, such as kissing the devil's behind and eating babies.
Despite the controversial and taboo subject matter, Häxan was a critical success upon its release, praised for its artistic and technical achievements. However, the film was also condemned by religious groups and censors, who saw it as promoting Satanism and sexual deviancy. Several cuts and edits were made to the film in subsequent releases, and it was even banned in some countries.
Today, Häxan is regarded as a cult classic and a landmark of horror cinema. Its influence can be seen in later horror films such as The Wicker Man and The Exorcist.