Witchhammer
Encyclopedia
Witchhammer is a 1970 Czechoslovak drama film directed by Otakar Vávra. It is considered Otakar Vávra's magnum opus
. The title (Malleus Maleficarum
) is also translated as Witches' Hammer or Witchhammer. The story of the film is based on Václav Kaplický
's book Kladivo na čarodějnice (1963), a novel about witch trials in Northern Moravia during the 1670s. The black-and-white allegorical film, full of symbols, follows the events from the beginning until the trial and execution of the priest. Unwillingness to stop the evil in the beginning only encourages the inquisitor to graduate his accusations and use torture. The vicious circle scares everyone from resistance.
These trials started when an altar boy observed an old woman hiding the bread given out during communion. He alerted the priest who confronted the old woman. She admitted that she took the bread with the intent to give it to her cow to double its milk production. The priest reported the incident to the owner of the local estate who, in turn, called in an inquisitor
, a judge specializing in witchcraft trials. Boblig von Edelstadt
, the inquisitor, commenced an ever escalating series of trials, eventually involving hundreds of people. Eventually, 112 people were burned at the stake.
Masterpiece
Masterpiece in modern usage refers to a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship....
. The title (Malleus Maleficarum
Malleus Maleficarum
The Malleus Maleficarum is an infamous treatise on witches, written in 1486 by Heinrich Kramer, an Inquisitor of the Catholic Church, and was first published in Germany in 1487...
) is also translated as Witches' Hammer or Witchhammer. The story of the film is based on Václav Kaplický
Václav Kaplický
Václav Kaplický was a Czech writer, journalist and epic poet. He is most known as an author of historical fiction....
's book Kladivo na čarodějnice (1963), a novel about witch trials in Northern Moravia during the 1670s. The black-and-white allegorical film, full of symbols, follows the events from the beginning until the trial and execution of the priest. Unwillingness to stop the evil in the beginning only encourages the inquisitor to graduate his accusations and use torture. The vicious circle scares everyone from resistance.
These trials started when an altar boy observed an old woman hiding the bread given out during communion. He alerted the priest who confronted the old woman. She admitted that she took the bread with the intent to give it to her cow to double its milk production. The priest reported the incident to the owner of the local estate who, in turn, called in an inquisitor
Inquisitor
An inquisitor was an official in an Inquisition, an organisation or program intended to eliminate heresy and other things frowned on by the Roman Catholic Church...
, a judge specializing in witchcraft trials. Boblig von Edelstadt
Jindřich František Boblig z Edelstadtu
Jindřich František Boblig z Edelstadtu was a lawyer and imperial lay inquisitor who led the witch trials in Bohemia in the late 17th century. He was active in the Šumperk region, particularly in the town of Velké Losiny...
, the inquisitor, commenced an ever escalating series of trials, eventually involving hundreds of people. Eventually, 112 people were burned at the stake.
Cast
- Elo RomancikElo RomančíkEmanuel "Elo" Romančík is a Slovak actor. He starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Lautner - Vladimír SmeralVladimír ŠmeralVladimír Šmeral was a Czech actor. He starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra....
- Boblig - Sona ValentováSoňa ValentováSoňa Valentová, married Soňa Hasprová is a Slovak actress. She starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Zuzana - Josef KemrJosef KemrJosef Kemr was a Czech actor. He starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Ignác - Lola SkrbkováLola SkrbkováLola Skrbková, real name Aloisie Skrbková was a Czech actress. She starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Maryna - Jirina StepnickováJiřina ŠtěpničkováJiřina Štěpničková was a Czech actress. She starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra. Actor Jiří Štěpnička is her son.-References:...
- Dorota Groerová - Marie NademlejnskáMarie NademlejnskáMarie Nademlejnská was a Czech actress. She starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Davidka - Miriam KantorkováMiriam KantorkováMiriam Kantorková is a Czech actress. She starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Tobiásová - Lubor TokosLubor TokošLubor Tokoš was a Czech actor. He starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Sattler - Blazena HolisováBlažena HolisováBlažena Holisová was a Czech actress. She starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.Holisová died on April 7, 2011. She was 80 years old.-References:...
- Sattlerová - Jaroslava ObermaierováJaroslava ObermaierováJaroslava Obermaierová is a Czech actress. She starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Líza - Jirí HolýJiří HolýJiří Holý was a Czech actor. He starred in the film Poslední propadne peklu under director Ludvík Ráža in 1982.-References:...
- Parish Priest König - Rudolf Krátký - Hutter
- Cestmír RandaČestmír ŘandaČestmír Řanda was a Czechoslovak film actor. He appeared in over 65 films and television shows between 1960 and 1986.-Selected filmography:* Bílá spona * Hvězda zvaná Pelyněk...
- Winkler - Blanka WaleskáBlanka WaleskáBlanka Waleská, real name Blanka Wedlichová was a Czech actress. She starred in the 1969/1970 film Witchhammer under director Otakar Vávra.-References:...
- Countess de Galle