Mark of the Devil

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height=355 BGCOLOR="#FFFF99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Mark of the Devil</B></div> <div> <B>Aka: </B><I><B>Burn Witch Burn</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>(Inquisition/Witch)                                                            6******skulls</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>*Blood* *Violen</B><B>t (Rape)* *No Strong Language* *Sexual Situations* *Nudity* *Gory*</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1969/Color/96 Min./Lightning Video & Atlas International Distributors/ German/British (dubbed)/Rated R</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Director.............Michael Armstrong</B></div> <div> <B>Screenplay.......Sergio Casstner & Percy Parker </B></div> <div> <B>Music................Michael Holm</B></div> <div> <B>Producer..........Adrian Hoven</B></div> <div> <B>Director of Photography..</B></div> <div> <B>Executive Producer.......</B></div> <div> <B>Make-up by Günther Kulier & Alena Heidankova</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Dramatis Personae</U></B></div> <div> <B>The Witch Finder..Herbert Lom (The Pink Panther)</B></div> <div> <B>Albino............Reggie Nalder (Salem's Lot - The Movie)</B></div> <div> <B>........Udo Kier (Andy Warhol's Frankenstein)</B></div> <div> <B>(Not Available)   Olivera Vuco                      </B></div> <div> <B>Herbert Fux</B></div> <div> <B>Michael Maien</B></div> <div> <B>Ingeborg Schoener</B></div> <div> <B>Johannes Buzalski</B></div> <div> <B>Gaby Fuchs</B></div> <div> <B>Gunter Clemens</B></div> <div> <B>Doris von Danwitz</B></div> <div> <B>Dorothea Carrera</B></div> <div> <B>Marlies Petersen</B></div> <div> <B>Bob Gerry</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Critique</U></B><B>: Fine acting, good direction, and historical accuracy make this a truly fine dramatic portrayal of the "burning times" despite its double duty as an entertaining horror film and questionable conclusion. Due to the timing--1969--and country of origin, Germany, this film works as a strong allegory for Nazi Germany, and the cowardice of its citizens for not speaking out is portrayed prominently. The early modern form of witch trial, its motivations and injustice come out perfect just the same, particularly the idea that the local secular officials did not run a very tight ship in all but ignoring the original inquisitorial restrictions on the use of torture, the means of which are shown accurately. The portrayal of the wild confessions and false accusations during torture are historically accurate, likewise the puppet show, hot seat, and Spanish boot. The Inquisitor as martyr and parallel to Christ is a rather stupid way to end an otherwise engaging and surprisingly enlightened gory film. (Minus one skull for stupid ending!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Plot Summary</U></B><B>: A man offers 500 crowns. He needs the monk and the youngest of the nuns alive with the others they may do as they please. As they overtake the wagon, they rape and kill the nuns. The monk accused of the heresy of profaned the celibacy of the clergy and defiled the sacraments of the church. Nun accused of body and soul dedicated to the Devil since birth, Nun accused of having had intercourse with the Devil and spells to prevent men and women from performing their marital duties. The people of the village laugh as the monk has his fingers chopped and is stripped so that the women may enjoy it too. They tar and feather him and some of the townspeople chase him. The two witches are burned as the curious townspeople look on. "I curse you in the Devil's name! All of you will burn in hell!" As the "witches burn, they accuse each other of being the real with concocting a story of fornication with the devil in the guise of a donkey. In Europe of the 15th and 19th centuries  8 million (a grotesquely exaggerated statistic) convicted of heresy and burned or hanged to save their souls. This film consists of three case histories taken from the records of the witch trials. Baron Christian von Marou attendant of the Lord Cumberland and his executioner arrive delivers a proclamation of the arrival of Lord Cumberland the witch finder. The town's official witch finder is defensive but ordered to file complete reports on his activities. Regrettably, the advocate has no written confessions or trial reports and Cumberland has a real reputation. Albino wants his advocate to write all night to prove the confessions were not tortured out brutally. The local barmaid refuses Albino's advances and he accuses her of having trampled on the cross, traveled to the sabbath. The beauty mark on her face is the mark of the Devil. Just then the Baron walks in to take over the proceedings. Albino has no indictment and the advocate was caught trying to put together records. The Baron gives him ten lashes to remind him he serves God and dines with the barmaid, class difference conveniently set aside for niceness sake. The Baron lives to rid the world of evil and injustice. Albino is busy preparing the indictment for the Barmaid Vanessa as she prepares the Baron breakfast. Albino shows his poor timing once again by whipping Vanessa that same day. The third trial for lord Cumberland is Vanessa but the baron has deleted her file. The indictment of fornication with the Devil and causing impotence is sufficient to hold her until her file can be redrawn. Baron could become a great witch hunter if he does not succumb to temptation of the flesh. Baron Dalmouth is accused of Possession since his father's "accidental death. He testifies that the church wants his land, but with torture they hope for a confession. The third witch who was driven from her convent for being pregnant with the Devil's child, actually the Bishop's, provides a display of the inhuman torture employed to elicit confessions. The cruel punishment of Lord X becomes less and less tolerable to a horrified populace until they organize and act. </B></div> </td> </tr></table></body>