202 - Day of Wrath, 1943, Denmark. Dir. Carl Theodor Dreyer.
With this movie Dreyer showcases the full high-contrast expressionistic lighting style that he has been approaching with the previous films we have seen.
It is 1943. Eleven years after his last feature film, yesterday's Vampyr (1932). We are in the period of American film noir and its influence in Europe. We are in the period of Nazi occupation. Of Denmark. World War II. Nazis have been occupying Denmark for three years. Denmark Resistance has been fighting back for over a year. People are afraid. People are paranoid.
It is 1623. Witches are being burned at the stake. Not in Salem, Massachusetts (where none were ever burned, but hanged). But in Denmark. Where potentially up to one thousand were burned over a two-hundred year period. People are afraid. People are paranoid.
Herlot's Marte is accused of witchcraft. She hides in Anne's house. Anne is the young wife of Absalon, a sober-minded minister who is much older than her. Herlot's Marte is captured. As she is being burned at the stake she accuses Anne's mother of being a witch. They demand she give them a name, so she gives them a name. Anne's mother is already dead. Herlot's Marte is tied to the top of a ladder, and the ladder is pushed over into the flames.
Absalon's son Martin comes home. He is Anne's age. He and Anne spend time together. A lot of time. She falls in love with him. He falls in love with her.
Absalon's mother Merete has been watching all along. She condemns Anne. She condemned Anne's mother. She condemned Herlot's Marte. She is good at condemning.
She claims a witch has the power to speak death to someone. Absalon confronts Anne. Anne admits she loves his son Martin. Then she speaks death to him.
And something happens to Absalon. Something bad happens.
Oh, Absalon! Absalon!
My son. My son.
And those clothes.
If there is any advice I can give to you--
Do not mess with Absalon's mother.
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