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Book Description
Benjamin Christensen's macabre masterpiece from 1922, Häxan,
(The Witch) is the first true `film maudit' (literally a `cursed film') and
can justifiably be considered the world's first cult movie. This
taboo-shattering work occupies an exclusive niche in the annals of horror
cinema. Greeted by angry protests upon release, it was censored, banned and
condemned everywhere. To `decent folks' it was the most morbid and perverse
film ever made, while others hailed it as a sober and scientific yet
thoroughly human document. To Christensen it was the consuming obsession of
his life, the film he was put on earth to make. It was a labour of love
that would win him immortality of a sort but would also hang over the rest
of his career like a dark shadow.
(The Witch) is the first true `film maudit' (literally a `cursed film') and
can justifiably be considered the world's first cult movie. This
taboo-shattering work occupies an exclusive niche in the annals of horror
cinema. Greeted by angry protests upon release, it was censored, banned and
condemned everywhere. To `decent folks' it was the most morbid and perverse
film ever made, while others hailed it as a sober and scientific yet
thoroughly human document. To Christensen it was the consuming obsession of
his life, the film he was put on earth to make. It was a labour of love
that would win him immortality of a sort but would also hang over the rest
of his career like a dark shadow.
Was Häxan the first and most perverse exploitation film, replete with
Satanic debauchery, or the original classic of documentary cinema? Who was
this mysterious man, Benjamin Christensen, and what really drove him to
create this extraordinary epic?
Delving into the original Danish source material, author Jack Stevenson
places Häxan within the context of Christensen's wider career, and also
within the context of the times, in the process presenting a picture of
this film at the `moment of impact.' Amazingly, many of the issues that
embroiled this film upon its release are still being hotly debated today.
From the Publisher
First in the new Cinema Classics Collection from FAB Press, a series of
budget-priced, highly collectable studies of historically important movies,
genres and directors.
budget-priced, highly collectable studies of historically important movies,
genres and directors.
The first ever book devoted to the most mysterious cult movie of all time.
85 years after its debut, Häxan continues to fascinate fans of outré cinema
and occultists alike.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I seem to recall seeing a movie called Witchcraft through the ages on TV ages ago but did not realize that it was a truncated version of The Witch, made in 1922 ! All is now revealed in this fascinating study by Jack Stevenson in the first of a new series of handy sized books from Fabpress. The 1968 version of the film that I remember had a jazzy music score + a narration by William Burroughs but with a running time of 76 minutes it was a far cry from the original which in its uncut format was about half an hour longer ! This insightful book chronicles the career of actor / writer / failed opera singer Benjamin Christensen who had a prolific resume of films in his native Denmark plus a foray into Hollywood with varying degrees of success. After reading this work you will probably be asking yourself if Christensen was a madman - a genius, certainly a perfectionist or one of the first exploitation film makers ! The author poses the questions about Christensen with his factual style but allows the reader to come to his (or her) own conclusions.
The writing style is lucid & straightforward, the only word that I had to look up in a dictionary was pedagogic ! ( Read pedantic for a translation!). There's a wealth of interesting information in the 120 odd pages, such as the output of the Danish film industry : I can't recall that many movies from Denmark being shown in the cinema in England...However, now that The Witch is out on DVD in its 104 minute version the situation may well improve ! I'm sure people will want to get the DVD after reading this book !!! One final comment - the size of this new book format ( 7 and a half inches x 5 and a half !) is so convenient for storing & for travel companionship ( ! ) that I am looking forward to forthcoming releases with much enthusiastic anticipation !
The writing style is lucid & straightforward, the only word that I had to look up in a dictionary was pedagogic ! ( Read pedantic for a translation!). There's a wealth of interesting information in the 120 odd pages, such as the output of the Danish film industry : I can't recall that many movies from Denmark being shown in the cinema in England...However, now that The Witch is out on DVD in its 104 minute version the situation may well improve ! I'm sure people will want to get the DVD after reading this book !!! One final comment - the size of this new book format ( 7 and a half inches x 5 and a half !) is so convenient for storing & for travel companionship ( ! ) that I am looking forward to forthcoming releases with much enthusiastic anticipation !
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
More than just the one film, this covers all of Christensen's work
18 Dec 2009
Format:Paperback
This slim (118 pages), well-illustrated books tells you everything you may ever want to know about the silent/sound Danish film director Benjamin Christensen, who acted in and/or directed about 20 films between 1912-1942.
He is best remembered for his 1922 film HAXAN (The Witch or Witchcraft Through The Ages) and this well-researched book includes interviews with those involved in the film, which is really amazing when you think how old and in some ways, obscure the film is.
The first 25 pages of the book focus on the early, pre-HAXAN years of the director/actor, while about 40 pages are devoted solely to the writing and production and casting/directing of HAXAN. The remaining 50 pages deal with the few films he made after HAXAN, his "invisible years" and the "return" of HAXAN during film festivals in the 1960s-1990s.
Author Jack Stevenson is to be commended for the time and attention to detail he paid for this classic film, and for digging up every photo and antidote about this film.
He is best remembered for his 1922 film HAXAN (The Witch or Witchcraft Through The Ages) and this well-researched book includes interviews with those involved in the film, which is really amazing when you think how old and in some ways, obscure the film is.
The first 25 pages of the book focus on the early, pre-HAXAN years of the director/actor, while about 40 pages are devoted solely to the writing and production and casting/directing of HAXAN. The remaining 50 pages deal with the few films he made after HAXAN, his "invisible years" and the "return" of HAXAN during film festivals in the 1960s-1990s.
Author Jack Stevenson is to be commended for the time and attention to detail he paid for this classic film, and for digging up every photo and antidote about this film.
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