Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
Feature: Accused of witchcraft, will her lover come to her defense or has the day of wrath returned?
Format: NTSC
Label: Sky Cinema
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Sky Cinema
Number Of Items: 1
Publication Date: 2006
Publisher: Sky Cinema
Region Code: 0
Running Time: 97
Studio: Sky Cinema
Theatrical Release Date: 1943

• Accused of witchcraft, will her lover come to her defense or has the day of wrath returned?
• "Astonishing ... it challenges the viewer..." CHICAGO READER
• Filmed in 1943 during the Nazi occupation of Denmark.
• This new edition has the benefit of the latest digitally remastering technology
• Import from Korea made for the USA/Canada marketplace (NTSC, All-Region)

Filmed during the Nazi occupation of Denmark, Carl Dreyer's Day of Wrath is a harrowing account of individual helplessness in the face of growing social repression and paranoia. Anna, the young second wife of a well-respected but much older pastor, falls in love with his son when he returns to their small 17th century village. Stepping outside the bounds of the village's harsh moral code has disastrous results: Anna faces the stake, accused of witchcraft. Exquisitely photographed and passionately acted, Day Of Wrath remains an intense, unforgettable experience.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Day of Shock
Comment: "Day of Wrath", in my opinion, is the greatest of Theodore Dryer's films. Certainly it is the one that I enjoyed the most. Filmed in 1943, in Nazi-occupied Denmark, it is a story of several centuries earlier, a time of religious intensity and a belief in the foul mechanizations of witches.

In a well-ordered 16th and 17th century society, witches are identified, put to the 'question', condemned and incinerated just as is depicted in the film. As modern, enlightend and civilized people we are in a position to look down our noses at such bigotry, superstition and stupity....aren't we?

The film is black-and-white with an emphasis on lighting and shadows. The story builds slowly and insidiously and, for all intents and purposes, seems to be a fairly standard criticism of intolerance and superstition. Dreyer puts a ring through the viewer's nose and leads him towards the expected conclusion....but....the ending will literally take your breath away.

Ron Braithwaite, author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

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Customer Rating:
Summary: An austere thing of beauty and infinite sadness
Comment: What a remarkable film. I'm sure this compelling, emotional whirlwind blew many people away upon it's initial release. I found it completely engrossing as it blatantly exposed the church and its dark, horrific past. I also read that this film is widely considered an allegory of the Nazi occupation of Denmark during WWII. This story is based on actual manuscripts of 17th century witch trials.

There is an overwhelming feeling of desperation and helplessness for the women accused of witchcraft. In contrast to that there is a wonderful love story that immediately seems destined to fail. The entire movie is filled with such stark and alluring imagery that moves with such a sensual appeal. Not to mention an ending that will stick with you for long after. The horrors of man really have no boundaries.

I highly recommend this for true lovers of cinematic art. One of my top 5 favorite foreign films.

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