Witchhammer (1970 Czechoslovakia)

 Witchhammer (1970  Czechoslovakia)

aka

Kladivo na carodejnice

In a Czech town in the seventeenth century, an elderly woman 

enters a churchto accept communion. Her true purpose is to 

collect the holy host for a midwife who needs it to treat an 

ailing dairy cow. The woman is caught and is forced to explain 

her sacrilegious actions. Religious and secular authorities 

agree that she is in league with witches and may even be a 

witch herself. This prompts an inquisition where confessions 

are obtained through threats and torture. A tribunal is held 

to provide a legal facade. Though the hunt is initially confined 

to the impoverished fringes of local society, the hysteria soon 

expands to the point that no one, not even leading citizens, is 

safe. The ultimate target is a clergyman, Deacon Lautner, who 

defies the righteous men of the tribunal.

Based on actual trial records from the 1678 to 1695 period, this 

well made Czech film features excellent performances and strong 

production values. It is somewhat extreme by 1969 standards. 

(IMDB  JHC3)