Who has heard of this film?? It's a shame that it isn't more famous than it is. I just happened to come across it a few months ago and after watching it I had trouble finding anyone else who had viewed it. However it is actually on dvd as part of the Criterion Collectoin and I recommend renting it.
The subtitle of the film is "Witchcraft throughout the ages", which is a very fitting subtitle because the movie is a documentary on witchcraft throughout the ages. What makes it all the more interesting is that the film was released in 1922. This was quite a few decades ago, placing it in the silent film era. A grainy, old, dark silent film is exactly the aura a film on witchcraft should have. It also helps that every person involved in producing the film is dead by now.
Haxan is definately not your typical documentary. It has no interviews and has no stock footage. Nevertheless it tells an interesting story on the subject using slideshows, illustrations, reinactments, diagrams, clay-animation and more. In the background is a great original score which was re-recorded only a few years ago in very high quality. Or, if you prefer, you can watch a version of the film with narration by William S. Burroughs that was re-released in the 60s. Both versions are included in the Criterion dvd. I suggest watching the original version (score only, no narration), but be sure to watch the first few minutes of the Burroughs version first. His introduction to the movie is great.
4 1/2 stars
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