덴마크의 선구적인 영화감독 벤자민 크리스텐슨의 악명 높은 다큐멘터리로 장르를 분명히 규정하기 어려울 정도로 매우 기이한 작품이다. 악마에 대한 옛 사람들의 공포가 정신질환에 대한 오해에서 기인함을 설명하는 탐구로도 이해할 수 있고 동시에 오싹한 공포 영화로도 볼 수 있다. 크리스텐슨은 고대에서부터 중세, 당대에 이르기까지 악령이나 사탄 숭배에 관련한 자료들을 분석하고 재연한다. 그리고 중세에 이르러 이런 망상들이 빚어낸 '마녀 사냥'에 대해 집중적으로 언급하면서 정신병리학적인 접근과 비교한다.
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)
