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Witchhammer

Original title: Kladivo na carodejnice
  • 19701970
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
Witchhammer (1970)
  • Drama
  • History
  • Horror
In the 1600s, an overzealous clergy hauls innocent women in front of tribunals, forces them to confess to imaginary witchery, and engages in brutal torture and persecution of their subjects.In the 1600s, an overzealous clergy hauls innocent women in front of tribunals, forces them to confess to imaginary witchery, and engages in brutal torture and persecution of their subjects.In the 1600s, an overzealous clergy hauls innocent women in front of tribunals, forces them to confess to imaginary witchery, and engages in brutal torture and persecution of their subjects.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Otakar Vávra
  • Writers
    • Václav Kaplický(novel)
    • Otakar Vávra(screenplay)
    • Ester Krumbachová(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Vladimír Smeral
    • Elo Romancik
    • Josef Kemr
Top credits
  • Director
    • Otakar Vávra
  • Writers
    • Václav Kaplický(novel)
    • Otakar Vávra(screenplay)
    • Ester Krumbachová(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Vladimír Smeral
    • Elo Romancik
    • Josef Kemr
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 15User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination

    Photos31

    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)
    Witchhammer (1970)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Vladimír Smeral
    Vladimír Smeral
    • Bobligas Boblig
    Elo Romancik
    Elo Romancik
    • Lautneras Lautner
    Josef Kemr
    Josef Kemr
    • Ignácas Ignác
    Sona Valentová
    Sona Valentová
    • Zuzanaas Zuzana
    Blanka Waleská
    Blanka Waleská
    • hrabenka de Galleas hrabenka de Galle
    Lola Skrbková
    • Marynaas Maryna
    Jirina Stepnicková
    Jirina Stepnicková
    • Dorota Groerováas Dorota Groerová
    Marie Nademlejnská
    • Davidkaas Davidka
    Miriam Kantorková
    Miriam Kantorková
    • Tobiásováas Tobiásová
    Eduard Cupák
    Eduard Cupák
    • farár Schmidtas farár Schmidt
    Martin Ruzek
    Martin Ruzek
    • Biskopas Biskop
    Cestmír Randa
    Cestmír Randa
    • dékan Vojtech Winkleras dékan Vojtech Winkler
    Ilja Prachar
    Ilja Prachar
    • rychtár Gaupas rychtár Gaup
    Gustav Opocenský
    Gustav Opocenský
    • Sekretár Schmidt, bratr faráreas Sekretár Schmidt, bratr faráre
    Václav Lohniský
    Václav Lohniský
    • Mnichas Mnich
    Blazena Holisová
    Blazena Holisová
    • Sattlerováas Sattlerová
    Jaroslava Obermaierová
    Jaroslava Obermaierová
    • Lízaas Líza
    Stepán Zemánek
    • Vinarskýas Vinarský
    • Director
      • Otakar Vávra
    • Writers
      • Václav Kaplický(novel)
      • Otakar Vávra(screenplay)
      • Ester Krumbachová(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Due to its resemblance to the atmosphere of fear and compulsory confessions that characterized the Stalinist-era Eastern European Communist countries' methods of the 1950s, the film was removed from release and appeared on television in the Eastern Bloc only after 1989.
    • Goofs
      The violin (string instruments) scene of the oligarchs when the maid watches is off timing so much it creates humorous empathy where a romantic emphasis is the focus. Considering the serious nature of the film this was not intended and a lapse in production quality.
    • Connections
      Featured in Monsterquest: American Werewolf (2008)

    User reviews15

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    I liked it more than any other movie about persecution of witches.
    I have just seen the movie and I liked it more than any other movie about catholic persecution of witches. The last one I saw (and I think last one made) was The Crucible - that one wasn't bad, but I could not feel as much despair, corruption and that fear to speak up your mind as in this one. Kladivo na Carodejnice - with all the brutality, torture and all that injustice is real and very hard to forget. It is very well played and made. "Kladivo na Carodejnice" is a movie, that definitely catches your attention even when it's nearly 40 years old (not as if it was a bad thing)...that pathetic way in which some movies were made in 60's (I think it is about the lightning in these black&white movies) makes it look so threatening, so dark and sad....and so beautiful.
    helpful•14
    6
    • Octopussy78
    • Feb 28, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 23, 1970 (Czechoslovakia)
    • Country of origin
      • Czechoslovakia
    • Language
      • Czech
    • Also known as
      • Witches' Hammer
    • Filming locations
      • Velké Losiny, Czech Republic
    • Production company
      • Filmové studio Barrandov
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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