Witches' Hammer (1969)
Directed by Otakar Vávra
Genres - Drama, Historical Film, Horror |
Sub-Genres - Period Film, Religious Drama |
Run Time - 110 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Dan Pavlides
This disturbing film concerns the witch hunts and inquisition that sent many of the accused to their deaths in Moravia in the latter part of the 17th century. When a Catholic priest sees a woman hide a host, he speaks out against her. An inquisitor is coaxed out of retirement to investigate, and he seizes the opportunity for his own gain. Subsequent hordes of people from all walks of life are accused and their property is confiscated, making the greedy inquisitor rich. The accused naturally confess after being brutally tortured, and their forced "confession" lead to their horrible deaths. After hundreds are burned to death, the priest comes to regret his actions which set off the macabre chain of events.
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Keywords
Inquisition, witchhunt [persecution], accusation, confession [criminal], investigation, priest, torture, usurper