AllMovie

Appearing right in the middle of Carl Theodor Dreyer's career, Praestaenkan has been called "Dreyer lite" by some observers -- it certainly has more light-hearted moments than Vampyr or Day of Wrath. But even in this environment, the director's careful use of shadow shines through, along with his elegant fades. George Schneevoigt's cinematography still looks gorgeous almost 90 years later, and the acting is superb, while the brisk editing and pacing keep the whole story moving at an engagingly fast pace.