Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen's legendary film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the Middle Ages suffered the same hysteria as turn-of-the-century psychiatric patients. But the film itself is far from serious-- instead it's a witches' brew of the scary, gross, and darkly humorous.
Karin is a model for the painter Otto Werner, with whom she is very much in love. He, however, is merely toying with her emotions. When he becomes reacquainted with a former mistress, he soon forgets all about Karin. By contrast, Otto’s friend, the older millionaire John Fork, sees Karin and falls in love at first sight. Having received news that Otto has gone away with his mistress, Karin agrees to marry John Fork. The two live happily together, but trouble comes to paradise when Otto suddenly enters Karin’s life again. (stumfilm.dk)
An old man from India dies in the presence of Dr. John Schmidt. Before he passes, he gives the doctor a small God figure – an Indian Idol other mysterious men are looking for.
When Prince Otto is involved in a hunting accident, the game warden’s daughter Ellen becomes his nurse. She falls head over heels in love with him and the infatuation is mutual. But when the prince’s father, the ruler, dies, it turns out that the prince’s heart is bequeathed to someone else. In her deep despair over her lost love, the game warden’s now downhearted daughter knocks on the convent gate. (stumfilm.dk)
