Kladivo na čarodějnice (Witchhammer)
Otakar Vávra, Czechoslovakia, 1970, 103 min

‘Kladivo na čarodějnice is considered Otakar Vávra’s magnum opus. The title (Malleus Maleficarum) is also translated as Witches’ Hammer or Witchhammer. The synopsis of the film is based on Václav Kaplický’s book Kladivo na čarodějnice (1963), a novel about witch trials in Northern Moravia during the 1670s.

The black-and-white allegorical film, full of symbols, follows the events from the beginning until the trial and execution of the priest. Unwillingness to stop the evil in the beginning only encourages the inquisitor to graduate his accusations and use torture. The vicious circle scares everyone from resistance.’ – WIKI