Original subtitles

Czechoslovak Film Export presents

WITCHHAMMER

BASED ON VÁCLAV KAPLICKÝ 'S NOVEL

AND COURT RECORDS FROM ACTUAL WITCH TRIALS

Starring

Assistant Director / Assistant Cinematographer

Script / Assistant Head of Production

Art Director

Wardrobe / Make-up / Set Design

Music

Music performed by the Prague Madrigalists

Vivaldi's Concerto performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Sound / Editor

Producer

Cinematography

Directed by

Produced by Barrandov Film Studios

Texts of court hearings were taken from authentic court recordings

of Inquisition trials which took place in Velké Losiny and Šumperk

from 1678 to 1695.

Sin entered the world through woman.

Woman is sin.

A woman's womb is the gateway to Hell.

Her insatiable carnal desires are the root of all evil.

A woman's embrace is like the snare of the hunter.

Women practise sorcery with the Devil

who appears to her in the form of a man.

May the good Lord bless you a thousand times.

Hoc est enim corpus meum.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,

but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Ecce agnus dei qui tollit peccata mundi.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,

but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi

custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam. Amen.

Come to the sacristy. Come on!

What have you done?

Oh, God...

What is she doing here?

- What is the meaning of this? - I am not to blame, your Reverence.

Old Groerová's cow has run dry.

Fetch the sheriff.

Do sit down, gentlemen.

Have you brought her with you? I've never seen a witch before.

This is not a case of one beggar woman, Your Grace,

but a whole coven of witches.

The most uncompromising measures must be taken.

Bring her in.

Nothing like this has ever happened to me.

You're still young, Brother.

Is this the woman?

Swear to our Almighty Father

and tell us what you did with the Communion wafer.

Mrs Groerová, our village midwife,

needed the sacred wafer,

for her cow,

because her cow had stopped yielding milk.

She promised me a quart of peas and some barley flour.

I know I shouldn't have done it.

But a cow is also a creature of God.

I hoped the Lord would forgive me.

Don't you know that such foolish superstition is a sin?

But I wanted the peas so much.

It's abominable.

Who told Mrs Groerová the wafer would help?

The old Davidka woman gave her the advice.

Who is Davidka?

She's just an old witch.

Why do you think she is a witch?

Answer! Or you'll be committing a mortal sin.

I didn't mean it like that, I'm just saying that

old Davidka is a herbalist.

She mends broken bones, and works charms on the cattle.

Aren't there many such women? She doesn't have to be a...

Excuse me, please, Countess.

Does Mrs Davidka stay at home or go out at night?

Does she receive visitors at night?

Who would come to visit her? She's almost seventy!

- She doesn't realise what she's done. - I'm so sorry.

If I'd known the trouble this would cause... I'm truly sorry!

Don't believe a word she says, Countess.

- It's the Devil speaking. - Please, Father.

She's just superstitious, like the rest of them.

You'll pray to Our Father and say twenty Hail Marys.

Understand? What you have done is shameful.

It's not a mere superstition.

We're up against widespread heresy.

It's the Devil's work, to cast misery upon our land.

I've already reported it to the Bishop's Consistory.

I ask you, Countess, that this Devil's breed be slain.

I'll do everything I can.

I trust in your aid, Countess.

May I please suggest, first of all,

that an experienced inquisitor be summoned.

Do you know of a good judge?

I suggest Kašpar Hutter of Šumperk.

He is wise, just, and familiar with the local folk.

Wasn't he suspended from his office?

He let four witches off scot-free.

Those women were of unsound mind, sir.

Do think he was suspended unjustly?

There is an old inquisitor in Olomouc. Mr Boblig of Edelstadt.

He's retired and never graduated in law. I'm for Judge Hutter.

Mr Boblig is well reputed with forty years of experience.

And is thought well of by the Bishop's Consistory.

Go and see him.

- What can I get for you, sir? - Food, drink, a bed.

- I'll drink what you're drinking. - At your service.

- But the bed must be clean. - Everything will be in order.

Can't you tidy yourself up a bit?

Hurry up.

Please, sir.

It's fine.

A little sour, but it'll do.

I will get the bed ready now, sir.

Have you travelled far, sir?

From Velké Losiny, near Šumperk.

This inn belongs to a man from Edelstadt? The lawyer?

Get the food ready.

He's a former inquisitor. I was told this place belongs to him.

That's me.

You?

What is it you want from me, sir?

Please take a seat.

How much would such a trial cost, sir?

Can I have some hot water?

An Inquisition tribunal needs to be set up.

Apart from myself as the director,

by law the tribunal needs a public prosecutor,

a secretary and two or three lay judges.

I'll also need my own clerk

who has experience in observing the accused.

They must be watched day and night.

Thank you, kindly.

As you are surely aware,

witchcraft trials are not ordinary criminal procedures.

The Devil has extraordinary ingenuity.

I am aware of that, sir.

The judge is constantly in risk of his life.

The property of the condemned is confiscated by the authorities,

which covers the cost of the proceedings.

A fat lot we'll get from those beggar women!

If we are to purge the Devil from mankind, money cannot be a factor.

You will not have cause to be dissatisfied.

But please try to finish it quickly.

I hope it won't be anything too serious.

Witches make a pact with the Devil,

and they accept him as their Lord and Master.

In exchange, he endows them with supernatural powers.

That's all I know, your Honour. I've said it all already.

I wanted to give the wafer to my cow because it stopped giving milk.

If I had known the grief I'd come to...

Liar! You took the holy wafer to Peter's Rock.

I didn't.

What's the name of that dark gallant of yours?

Is it Marten? Hans?

Or Green Thomas?

Answer my question!

Thomas... but I don't rightly know who you mean, your Honour.

You know very well.

Did you go to Peter's Rock often?

No. I've never been there in my life.

It's far away. I'm only a poor woman. I'm scared to go there.

We know everything.

- You feasted and drank there. - No, I didn't.

- And trampled the holy wafers. - No!

Who was there with you?

As a midwife, you know many women.

What's that you're saying?

I've never been there in my life!

Don't you know they say witches' dance and fly around there?

There, you see it's not hard.

In a week's time, you'll come back to tell us who was there.

Are you quite certain?

I don't want to anticipate matters, but there must be several of them.

Witches on my estate?

It's quite dreadful!

It is my responsibility.

You have my full support, good sir of Edelstadt.

How long ago was it that young student was madly in love with you?

That student ran away.

He had to, or he'd have been conscripted.

And now you have a daughter ripe for marriage.

Who knows which lasts longer, love or friendship?

- You don't want him? - I'd rather drown myself.

You'll have to wait. The water is cold.

Kašpar won't hear a word against him.

Do you really want to give Lízl to that old fool?

Why not? Older men than him get married.

- Lízl is too young. - She'll have a good life with him.

Without love?

Children will come. There'll be no time for love.

He won't listen to reason.

You have a young maid, and you're not so young, either.

Think it over. It would be such a shame.

You don't want to ruin her life, She's your child.

Those three old hags have confessed.

Three times a year they rode their brooms to Peter's Rock.

Good thing that place is not on my patch.

What do you say to that, your Reverence?

The beggar woman deserves a punishment,

but it doesn't mean she's a witch.

But they have confessed, as Sir Boblig says...

The tribunal hasn't convened yet.

I'm afraid you know very little about the Inquisition courts.

It's none of our business, don't let it spoil the evening.

To Lízl's health, and her twenty years!

I'm in Losiny now, as you surely know,

and I couldn't resist coming to pay my respects, your Reverence.

I am greatly honoured.

My assistant Ignác, the court clerk.

Wait for me in the servants' quarters.

Zuzana, bring some food and wine.

A nice place you have here.

I'd greatly appreciate your help in ridding this country of witches.

Do you play the violin?

Aristotle, Euripides...

Theology, law...

Law.

I know nothing about law.

- What a lot of books. - One can never have enough books, sir.

I'm sorry.

May I ask for some hot water, my girl?

Pretty.

You know what surprised me?

The way your town has flourished since the fire.

It looks better than it did some years ago.

How did the people get rich so quickly?

Rich is something of an exaggeration.

Why?

Thank you very much indeed.

I saw Sattler's new dye-works.

The house must have a cost a fortune.

Zuzana!

Let him go, Florian. What's this?

He's been saying terrible things, your Reverence.

Asking if I'd seen a magic sign on Zuzana's body.

Is that a way for a guest to behave? And I poured him two glasses to my one!

Strange jests, aren't they? You'd better be off.

We are on church ground.

He's too zealous. Forgive him, your Reverence.

I hope this is not to be our last meeting, Father.

What's the matter, Zuzana? What happened?

Anybody can insult me. And whenever they want.

What nonsense is this?

When you find someone you like, you'll get married and live in peace.

I don't want anyone and you know that.

And you know that my only wish is for you to be happy.

Is that so? You wish me happiness?

But who would ever marry a priest's cook?

Witches rise up and fly to their Sabbath on the wind.

To fly, they smear themselves with the marrow and fat of the innocent,

and with blood drawn from the hearts of virgins.

On brooms, pitchforks, rakes or even goats,

and as if on horseback, they ride up the chimneys.

No! I haven't been there! I don't know anything!

I'll say anything you want me to, please.

Just say it, come on. "My gallant Marten...

"Took me along to Peter's Rock."

My gallant Marten took me along to Peter's Rock.

"Such meetings took place..." Come on, say it.

Such meetings took place on Walpurgis Night...

No. Such meetings took place, four times a year! Firstly...

Firstly, firstly...

Come on, you can't sleep now. Stand up and listen to me.

Such meetings took place, firstly...

Firstly, on Walpurgis Night.

There, you see?

Did you see Mrs Tobiásová, the bath-house owner, there?

Yes, first on Walpurgis Night,

second, on St Martin's Eve...

Thirdly, on Easter Saturday, and fourth on St George's Day.

How did you say the Hail Mary?

I prayed: Hail Mary,

but when I got to the words, "blessed is the fruit of thy womb",

my gallant Marten threw me on the ground,

and I had to say, "Marten's black tail".

Louder.

Then I lay down and we fornicated together.

When he was done, I had to worship his tail and then kiss it.

What were you doing at St Peter's Rock?

I was there to hold the candles.

Marten brought candles, bent me down and raised my bare buttocks,

and stuck candles inside.

So I lit the place up until midnight

and got a silver coin for it from Mrs Tobiásová.

Who was with you at Peter's Rock?

Name them all.

I didn't recognise them.

You must remember. Who was with you at Peter's Rock?

Nobody.

I've never been near Peter's Rock.

Mistress Davidka, you have heard both accused speak of you.

They are willing to live or die on their testimony.

Acknowledge your guilt. Confess!

If they talked about me, so be it.

If they want to die, so be it. I have nothing to confess.

As the accused, Mistress Davidka will not answer,

I have summoned the Schuchová woman.

You have testified that Davidka often spoke at Peter's Rock.

Yes, she did.

Why won't she speak to the court, then?

She has a mute spirit.

She has two spirits, a mute one and a talkative one.

How do you know that?

My spirit Marten told me.

Are you willing to live or die upon it?

Yes, I am willing to live or die upon it.

You have heard, gentlemen.

I'm not saying anything, Sir Boblig of Edelstadt.

Acknowledge you're guilty of what they say about you,

or else we must subject you to harsher methods.

Because you have a mute spirit, we must obey orders from above.

Proceed with the first stretch.

I admit to everything the two said about me.

Who were the others? Name them!

You see, gentlemen, truly she is possessed by a mute spirit.

On Walpurgis Night, each witch is initiated into the Sabbath,

by her own horned lover.

Without regard for age or kinship they indulge in loathsome fornication.

Bring clean straw. Who could abide such a stench?

So, tell me. Who was with you at Peter's Rock?

- You were, you Devil! - What did you say?

You were! I live and die by it! You are the Devil.

Don't you know what to do?

You are the Devil, the Devil.

Shut her up! Hurry!

She won't be screaming any more, your Honour.

Countess, one of the three witches died last night.

- How did she die? - During torture?

No, the Devil broke her neck, to prevent her from talking.

I heard a dreadful scream in the night.

Do you think it was the Devil? Here in my castle?

I'm afraid so.

Mr Hay heard the Davidka woman fighting with the Devil.

In that case, I can't stay here. I will move out until it's over.

I hope you'll bring it to an end soon.

I cannot guarantee it.

Let me point out, sir,

that in accordance with the law, torture can only be used,

in the presence of the tribunal.

I know my duties - and my rights!

It would be unpleasant if there were talk of this at the Royal Court.

Rest assured, the Devil will not outwit me again.

I saw through Boblig's game right from the beginning.

He's capable of turning the clock back a hundred years.

That's impossible.

At least some people are bound to stand up against him.

Never underestimate physical pain, my friend.

Before you suffer, you are full of courage.

But then, from what I have seen, there is pain, and fear.

That's true, but not quite. I think I'd...

You would what?

I think some would find the inner strength not to succumb.

Better not let the inquisitor enter our homes.

No, not into our homes.

But here...

He is already here.

Praise the Lord.

Tobiásová, the bath-house owner, has just been arrested.

Enough, clean me.

Find out what these people's financial situation is.

These are the richest ones.

Everything comes from the Devil. Especially wealth, dear boy.

You're the one with the brains, your Honour.

Indeed I am.

Some people think they can learn everything from books.

Like Lautner, the Deacon.

A book-learned monk!

He thinks himself a better man than I.

Mr know-it-all.

Did you happen to notice that cook of his, sir?

Well, there you are. Beauty comes from the Devil, too.

I'd wager she'd have plenty to tell us.

She could also tell us,

whether he learned more from his books, or from her.

Do you think he learned from her?

I'd say he must have taught her a thing or two.

You're getting above yourself!

Do what I ordered you to.

Did I say something wrong?

No, forget it.

When this is over, I'll build a house for myself.

And you'll come to my wedding.

Dorota Tobiásová. Tell us who was there with you?

I saw Maria Sattlerová at Peter's Rock,

The wife of the dye-house owner.

He was there too, with his daughter Elisabeth.

To this I confess, to save... my soul.

Who else?

The Deacon Lautner and his cook, Zuzana Voglicková.

That's not true! You're making it up!

I am the one who asks the questions here.

Your duty is to listen.

What did you do after eating and drinking?

The cook brought holy wafers in her apron.

Father Lautner handed them out to us.

I spat on them and trod on them.

Mrs Sattlerová and the cook pricked them with a knife.

Then they trod on them.

The dyer and the Deacon stuffed them into their shoes and danced.

Then we wiped our backsides with them.

Nonsense, the woman is out of her mind.

Gentlemen, quiet please.

She doesn't know what she's talking about.

Are there any problems, Commissioner?

Sorry, nothing really.

Are you willing to live or die by your testimony?

Yes, I only beg for a merciful death.

My children, I beg you in God's name, are innocent.

Lord, forgive your servants.

In the name of His Imperial Majesty,

let those condemned for the crime of witchcraft

be put to death according to the law.

Marina Schuch, do you accept this judgment?

Yes, sir, I humbly thank you.

Dorota Groerová and you Dorota Tobiásová?

Do you willingly accept this judgment?

I have no other choice.

- No. Thank him. - Thank his Lordship.

I humbly thank his gracious Lordship!

Master Jokl, proceed with your duty.

- Your Reverence, I'm afraid. - God is merciful.

I was forced to confess!

They tortured me for nine days.

That's a lie.

She was interrogated with thumb-screws and the Spanish boot.

That is the usual procedure.

Flee, good people, flee!

Or soon the same will happen to you!

I die innocent.

My children will curse you.

Jesus, be merciful to me, I testified against innocent people.

Lucifer emerges from the ground, hairy as a goat,

his torso shining like the sun.

The witches fall to their knees,

kissing his left foot and his rump.

Then the great fiend performs a Black Mass.

They were just poor wretched servants of Satan.

There are some incredible historical cases, gentlemen.

Two Dominicans recorded the story of a witch,

who removed the penises of the men she lay with.

Such witches should burn.

She kept about thirty of them in a nest in a tree somewhere.

How many?

- Thirty, your Excellency. - God help us.

Many witnesses claimed before the Inquisition court

that the penises moved as if alive.

One such unfortunate man who lost his member

was told by a witch he could choose a new one!

Of course, he picked the biggest.

But the witch scolded him for that, gentlemen.

She told him it had belonged to

a certain Prince Bishop!

Sir Boblig of Edelstadt, I ask you in the name of God,

stop these trials.

I am surprised that you of all people, should ask that.

You are distraught. You should rest.

I looked in their eyes when the fire was lit.

They were innocent.

They were innocent.

Be careful, Father.

As a priest, you must not look into women's eyes,

no matter how ugly they may be.

Otherwise the Devil might deceive you too.

Imagine gentlemen, if she'd to throw grain into the nest too.

Yes, you're right. But who will give us sanction?

All the courts worry about are the Turks.

So I should keep quiet?

These are dangerous times,

he who speaks up for heretics may be condemned as one himself.

Don't step on that glass. It gives me chills.

Forgive me.

I'll be behaving just like them if I'm not careful.

I can't understand how a man like him can be

allowed to have the power to decide the fate of others.

- It will always be so. - If that's true, I'd rather die!

And you? Why did you become a judge? Why did you let those women go?

You could have also become a deranged inquisitor.

Boblig is not deranged.

I'm talking about you! You are acquiescence personified!

Don't start quarrelling, you two.

I know about prisons and prisoners.

I wanted to maintain a judges' position as honourable.

That's why I was dismissed. It doesn't matter now.

But I know what the prison can do to a man.

What?

Everything. Only then you are no longer yourself.

Hallowed be Thy name Thy kingdom come,

and forgive us our trespasses...

- I beg you, Brother. - What happened?

We are of the same mother, in God's name, you must help me.

Be quiet, the walls have ears here.

The three women were innocent. I recognised it.

God made me realise it. What am I to do now?

- What do you want me to do? - I am to blame for everything.

You must convince His Grace the Bishop to put a stop to the trials.

Listen to my advice, Brother: keep your mouth shut!

Write this down.

For these reasons...

After these...

...sudden...

...and disgusting...

...confessions...

...we were all the more...

...surprised... overwhelmed, no...

Aghast! Underline "aghast".

It's not going to be simple to have the Deacon arrested.

It's him or me.

He doesn't pass judgment singlehandedly.

There are others in the Inquisition tribunal.

The administrator is uneducated, the revenue officer is afraid,

the privy counsellor can neither read nor write.

Don't ask me to do that.

I'll ask His Grace the Bishop for an audience myself.

I didn't want to say this,

but they don't think very highly of you there.

Why not?

You are too popular with your parishioners.

Keep out of it, be quiet.

Try to be reasonable.

I am reasonable. That's why I'm doing this.

Goodbye, Vojtěch.

We grew up together, but we don't see eye to eye any longer.

- But... - Goodbye.

I beg your Grace to consider the matter.

Master Boblig uses such inhuman methods

that he can compel anyone to confess to anything.

Even the most heinous crimes.

It goes against human reason, the law and the teachings of Christ.

I feel great responsibility before God and to myself.

It is only right that you feel responsible for what is happening in your parish.

But instead of asking for help against heretics,

you speak up for convicted disciples of the Devil.

Your Grace, the Devil's work lies in the brutality

towards the superstitious and the uneducated.

Master Boblig awakens it with each repellent act.

You are accusing the inquisitor?

But it is in regard to you I have received damning reports.

You know we don't allow clergymen to employ young housekeepers.

You harbour such a woman,

and even take her out to social gatherings.

How does that sit with your conscience?

And your obedience?

My late mother took the girl in.

She stayed because she had nowhere to go, your Grace.

I shall give it due consideration. You may leave.

Ask Dr Meyer to study Master Boblig's indictment carefully.

He accuses Deacon Lautner and Father König of witchcraft.

Anything you wish from me, sir?

I want to talk to you in private.

Make sure no one can hear our conversation.

I wanted to forewarn you that two of these witches name you.

They said they saw you at Peter's Rock.

Where you were engaged in...

...such acts I never thought you capable of.

- It's a lie! That's not true! - Calm down... Calm down...

One cannot believe everything.

Sometimes they make up a name out of spite.

That's the truth. I shall be forever grateful to you.

Don't worry, I believe you.

I only ask that you should do your job conscientiously.

Here is a list of further suspects.

You have to arrest them, even if they are your friends.

Persons suspected of intercourse with Satan are not my friends.

Bravo, thank you.

Maria Sattlerová, you and your daughter Lízl

are accused of witchcraft. I have orders to arrest you.

We only need you as a witness.

Mrs Sattlerová has called upon you to testify.

I'll go, but only when the Deacon comes back.

You must come now.

I can't...

Let me go, please.

- How much do you want? - Take care that no one hears you.

How much for letting me talk to my husband?

Sit tight and shut up.

They knew you'd gone to see the Bishop.

My God.

I'm sorry to come so late. I had to wait till dark.

People watch each other now.

I bribed the guard.

He brought it only a minute ago.

You must get away right now. Tonight!

The revenue officer told me somebody testified against you.

I've worked hard all my life. I should give it up to them?

You want to risk your life for the sake of money?

No, not for the money. I'm still a councillor of law!

I've lived a decent life and I've done so much for this town!

Am I to give in to those scoundrels?

Won't you sit down, Deacon?

Ignác, some wine in honour of our distinguished visitor.

Sir Boblig of Edelstadt,

what possible reason did you find for arresting Mrs Sattlerová,

her daughter and my cook Zuzana?

And why are you so interested in the fate of these women?

Maria Sattlerová has always been a good Catholic and an honest woman.

So is her daughter and Zuzana Voglicková.

I have known them for years.

I know good Reverend, I am told you visit the family often.

Is that an aggravating circumstance for Mrs Sattlerová?

God forbid, I'm doing all I can for her.

To your health, your Reverence.

You bitch!

You whore!

Whore!

Do you think that the Inquisition court

burned those three witches for no reason?

- How did you prove their guilt? - You have books on law, Deacon.

Guilt can be proved by confession and testimony. Is that not so?

Let me tell you something.

The women you defend have many guilty collaborators.

I am surprised that you, as spiritual pastor,

did not inquire about the situation by coming to me directly.

Who else is supposedly involved?

Why don't you like me, Mr Deacon?

What do you have against me?

You read many books, Deacon. But one is enough for me.

The Bible?

No. 'The Witchhammer', the most Holy book of all.

I know the book. May I read something to you?

"It is permitted to make the accused confess by promising lenience or mercy,

"or by the promise of a fixed prison term only.

"The judge must fulfil the promise.

"Only after serving her term, the witch may then be burnt alive.

"A judge may also promise a pardon, then appoint another judge

"who will pass the death sentence."

"Such action is permitted by the law of God and man."

A sacrilegious and cruel book, don't you think?

A matter of shame for any Christian country!

- Would you ever let anyone go free? - Of course!

If it could be proven that they were not in league with the Devil...

And how does one prove that?

I don't know. Everyone has always confessed to me.

You may not believe me, but it's true.

And if I should make a mistake...

...you know yourself, even judges are just instruments of God.

What about your conscience?

I'm not a theologian. I'm a lawyer.

I want to talk to my mother. I'll give you money.

The money...

Give it to me then.

Let me go, or I'll scream.

That won't do you any good.

My brother the Abbot will file a complaint.

Soap-maker Prerovsky, you are also on the list of the accused.

Sattler, stop resisting.

I have orders to arrest you.

We are the members of the tribunal!

- What's the meaning of this? - I have received orders...

The revenue officer and the forester

have been arrested on suspicion of witchcraft.

They are Her Grace's officials, and under my jurisdiction!

But I am director of the Inquisition court.

Her Grace does not employ people in league with the Devil.

If you don't release them immediately, I'll have you arrested.

Sheriff, you have defended the Devil's followers.

Therefore, I must arrest you.

You'll lose your head for this.

Write that down.

He checks their financial situation before he arrests them.

The tribunal passes judgment, not I.

The trials are ever more costly. I can't keep paying for them.

I give the Church what I can, but times are hard.

Sir Boblig of Edelstadt has lawful reasons we may not understand.

When my officials were arrested, it turned out they'd swindled me.

Their confiscated property will make up

for a part of what they have stolen from me.

Reverend Father, I advise you to be careful.

You can no longer count on my protection.

Lucifer's shining horn lights the gory carrion feast.

Demons play with rotted horse heads tied with cats' tails.

That's it, press harder.

Sattler, his wife and daughter have all confessed.

It's a bit swollen.

It's that courtroom of theirs, cold as a barn.

I wonder what Lautner will say when we confront him with the Sattlers.

I'm curious to see it, should it ever happen.

Not so hard.

I'm surprised that the bishop hasn't answered.

What are they doing there?

- Shall I carry on? - No, I'm exhausted.

In a while you can do my legs.

It's not my place to say this,

but I think you're being too lenient... with that Zuzana girl.

It's her testimony that would really make the bishop take notice.

Well, you know...

She's not like those filthy village hags.

She could...

...be a model for a painting of the Madonna.

Do the left first. You know I have a bad heart.

I'm sorry, sir, I forgot.

A pity I'm so old.

Don't press so hard.

Can you imagine her naked?

Quite easily...

But I don't mean at the interrogation.

What a pity she must...

But, nothing can be done.

If you want to enjoy a flower, you have to pick it, then it wilts.

It withers when it is at its most beautiful.

Man is vanity.

And so is beauty.

These things are only skin deep. Inside there's just bloody meat.

Flesh, blood and meat.

Blood, putrefaction, then nothing.

Deceit.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Do you confess to taking part in the witches' Sabbaths

as stated by three persons before they died,

and four others who still live?

I have never been to Peter's Rock.

How many witnesses can you bring forward to prove it?

It's impossible for me to prove where I have not been and what I haven't done.

I've known you since you were a child. I always liked you. Tell the truth.

And if you repent, God will forgive you.

Zuzana Voglicková, your obstinacy, forces the court to resort to torture.

Come on, speak up.

All I can say is that it isn't true.

Master Jokl, bring the thumbscrews.

Do you wish to make a confession?

No.

She has withstood torture. She's innocent. Leave her.

Her lover makes her body insensitive.

Go on, Master Jokl.

Yes.

Will you answer questions now?

Was Deacon Lautner with you at Peter's Rock?

Deacon Lautner? Yes, he was.

Did you practise sinful union?

Yes.

And now I must pay the price for my sins.

The accused's confession will suffice.

It remains to be determined whether she bears the mark of the devil on her body.

Examine her thoroughly, Ignác.

Here it is.

Not a drop of blood, gentlemen.

Better proof than any confession.

Signum diabolicum.

It's all a lie. None of what I said is true.

Take her away.

Welcome, my friend.

Come in, the guests are waiting.

I know you'll appreciate this. Twenty years old.

I'm happy to see you again, that you could join our festivities.

Vivat decanus Adalbertus Winkler. Vivat!

A letter from His Grace the Bishop.

Is it for me?

Read it.

It's a beautiful letter.

You can surely explain to me what it means?

It means that, by the Bishop's orders, you are under arrest.

So, you only invited me here to have me arrested discreetly.

A moment ago you kissed me.

You know who else did that?

I am at your service, Gentlemen.

I saw him being taken away. Like a criminal.

I'm leaving town.

Won't you come with me? Before they arrest you too?

I'll be right back.

I'll file a complaint to the appeals court. Will you take me to Prague?

Thank you, it's the last chance.

As Walpurgis Night comes to a close, Lucifer burns himself,

and his ashes are given to the witches.

What are you trying to do?

You bitch. You witch.

What were you thinking? I am responsible for you.

You must testify. Testify.

Kryštof Lautner, why do you ask to confront

those who testify against you?

I hope I shall convince them.

My friends wouldn't utter such nonsense to my face.

Maria Sattlerová, tell us where you saw Deacon Lautner

and what you did there.

We used to meet at the witches' gatherings at Peter's Rock.

I was there, with my husband Kašpar, and Deacon Lautner,

and Zuzana, his cook and we...

Maria, why are you saying this?

We gorged ourselves there, and danced...

- But this is a lie. - We cavorted and drank beer.

- Why are you lying? - Then we fornicated.

Maria, look me in the eye.

The Deacon had intercourse with his cook and me.

Alžběta Sattlerová, tell us about the witches' wedding at your house.

Two suitors came in.

One was a spirit to whom I gave myself, Hans Peter.

The other one, the soap-maker, Jan Prerovsky.

Before my parents gave the suitors an answer,

they invited guests from the coven to our house.

Then Deacon Lautner married me to the evil spirit.

Goddaughter, these are just dreams.

I saw you with my own eyes.

You fornicated with Zuzana and my mother.

And my father lay with me. It's a great sin.

Do you realise what you're saying?

You know I always did my best for you.

Kašpar Sattler, do you recognise Deacon Lautner?

Yes.

At least you can speak the truth.

The Deacon was in league with an evil spirit.

Are you still cross because I opposed your daughter's marriage?

Once he crowned my wife the 'Queen of Witches'.

Then he played the violin as we celebrated.

Do you speak thus because you hold a grudge against the Deacon?

No. We've been friends for many years.

But we both served an unclean spirit and we must pay for it.

Not a word of this is true, you know that.

At first I denied it, but gave up to save myself from greater torture.

Do you think God will forgive me?

I understand everything.

Please forgive me if I ever wronged you.

I forgive you everything.

Stop this play-acting, Lautner!

We know all about your crimes.

Do you admit to the crimes to which the witnesses testified?

I admit nothing!

Were you and your cook at the witches' union at the Sattlers?

We were at no witches' wedding. Neither she nor I.

Who awoke the adult feelings in her? Tell us the truth!

I did.

Why didn't you send her away?

I wanted to provide for her first.

We made an agreement to end all physical relations.

And that was all?

No agreement to a sorcerous pact, perhaps?

No.

- Do you play the violin? - I do.

A clergyman and he plays the violin!

Do you admit what the witches of Losiny and Šumperk described?

No.

My dear Deacon Lautner.

Who should one believe? Thirty-six people, or one?

One person, if he is righteous.

You can prove your innocence, then?

I cannot.

No one can see into my conscience, nor I into anyone else's.

Why did you hide in the library before your arrest?

What were you afraid of?

I was not afraid. I was studying, that's all.

Do you want to hear the testimony of Zuzana Voglicková?

Yes, I do. I hope she'll tell the truth.

Little Zuzana.

Zuzana Voglicková, tell the court what you did at Peter's Rock.

Tell the whole truth.

It was my misfortune to have come to the parish.

I should have gone begging instead.

Zuzana, but that's not...

Tell us about Peter's Rock.

Peter's Rock... I know...

I want to get it right...

We gorged ourselves, drank, danced and cavorted around,

fornicated with evil spirits and with people and it's a sin.

The Deacon lay with me and Mrs Sattler.

I came to the deanery and they turned me into a witch.

And because of that, I must now die.

For the love of God, forgive me, I beg you.

I... I know... This is all my fault.

Calm down.

Repeat everything you've said.

Say it to Deacon's face, as he won't admit it.

No, I can't, no... no...

She's out of her mind. She's insane, can't you see it?

That's nothing unusual. We should not get distracted.

She's been silenced by the Devil. Come and see.

That red weal! Her black gallant has sealed her lips.

Apage Satanas. In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Your handiwork, gentlemen.

Noble work it is.

I'm fond of you, as I was before,

and forgive you for what you said against me, Zuzana.

My dear Zuzana.

Kryštof Lautner, do you plead guilty?

No! Nor is the testimony of the Sattler family true,

nor the testimony of the girl. You stripped reason from her!

We have treated you too leniently. We shall be more severe.

You may have power, but power and truth are two different things,

and besides, you...

The Devil can take on anyone's likeness.

What if he's innocent and the Devil took on his form at the meetings?

So it was a mere duplicate of this man?

That is not a duplicate.

My forty years' experience tells me this is the original.

These old hags still have nothing better to do?

No, but the trial is endless. Forty defendants and growing.

- Ex-judge Hutter has filed a protest. - Protest? Against what?

Against the investigation methods.

Claiming that the confessions are extorted under severe torture.

It's the usual method of the Inquisition court.

But this man Boblig uses the same methods

as the German inquisitors at the beginning of the century.

Didn't those people plead guilty? So, what's the issue?

You know, Mr Secretary,

we can't bother his Highness with such trifling matters.

He has greater concerns.

His dreadful finances... You know what I mean?

Above all we must maintain peace and order, understand?

The Turks are approaching Vienna...

We'll see what happens.

Wonderful fit, your Grace.

I hope I crush Martinic today.

That's for sure, your Grace.

Maria Sattlerová pleasantly surprised me the way she died.

Up to the last moment her eyes were turned to heaven.

- Just one small hitch. - Yes.

It took the executioner three hacks to get Sattler's head off.

Was Sattler drunk?

What's wrong?

Sattler signed his last will yesterday.

Didn't he have anything better to do before dying?

His property will pay for the trial.

And since the confiscated money is not enough,

his house and workshop will have to be sold.

At the assessor's price, at a third of the value.

As far as I know, you were the first interested party.

And I know what's decent, good Sir Boblig of Edelstadt.

Forgive us our trespasses, and my own, too.

I did it all in your name.

In your view, Brother, is Kryštof Lautner guilty?

You're a member of the Inquisition committee.

You bear no grudge against him. Tell me, to the best of your knowledge.

There is a great deal of evidence against him.

Your personal opinion, please!

I'm not fully convinced of his guilt.

I fail to see why he should commit such crimes.

And your opinion, Brother?

I'm sorry, your Grace, but I disagree.

Thirty-six witnesses confirmed his involvement in witchcraft.

Lautner was unable to disprove the testimony,

which leaves us with no alternative but to use torture.

Your opinion, Brother?

The question is...

Whether the torture is the most reliable means...

...of discovering the truth.

The greatest authorities have shown that only with the Devil's help

can a delinquent keep silent when put to torture.

You have not been terribly enlightening.

I have a great interest in the case because Lautner is a priest.

Therefore, let God decide.

I consent that Lautner is to be subjected to the use of torture.

Amen.

No! I will not confess!

Enough, Jokl.

The accused nodded, which is the equivalent to a verbal confession.

Write it down.

Kryštof Alois Lautner, on this day,

has voluntarily confessed

that he was in league with the Devil.

It was a lie. What I confessed was untrue.

- We all saw your acknowledgment. - You saw a man forced to lie.

I am sinner, but I have never practised magic.

Mr Jokl, stretch him on the rack.

Enough for today, Sir Boblig of Edelstadt.

Please do not interfere with the interrogation.

The rules of Inquisition say the third torture should not exceed

more than half an hour.

And different types of torture may not be used in succession.

The testimony of thirty-six people constitutes convincing proof,

and torture is not necessary.

The nod is quite sufficient.

When two statements are contradictory, as Lautner's "Yes" and "No",

either can be considered valid.

Do you consider his plea as credible as that of thirty-six witnesses?

Examination by torture is over for today.

If you refuse to confess, you'll be put on the rack.

Have you considered that we could let him go free?

After three degrees of torture he still has made no admission.

No one could withstand such pain if he were really guilty.

He withstands it with the Devil's help.

How much longer, oh Lord, will you forsake me?

Remember me, oh Lord, as the tomb engulfs me.

It has surrounded and divided me. My bones are like molten wax.

Remember me, oh Lord. My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?

Kryštof.

Forgive me, Kryštof.

I've resigned from the Inquisition. I cannot be your judge.

Look at me, Kryštof.

So, Father, you have resigned from the Inquisition,

so you don't have to take a stand against a foul murderer.

No, I'm sick.

I'm glad I'm not alone.

Can you forgive me?

I cannot judge you.

We are both poor, weak wretches.

Is what you confessed to yesterday true?

Yes, I confess.

To everything the thirty-six witches testified to?

Yes, yes, yes.

Who else did you see at Peter's Rock? Do not deny it!

I confess I was in such close league with the Devil,

that at my request he conjured

great darkness, storms, hail and thunder.

For that reason, I did not recognise anyone present.

Except for those who are dead.

Sign for the record.

The Devil craves dominion over this world,

but God let us uncover this unclean nest and trample it underfoot.

Praise the Lord that we have the honour

to destroy and purify it with fire.

We come, Brother, to prepare you for the journey with our prayers.

You wouldn't have a little tobacco for me, Father?

You're making a mistake, Brother.

That might be true, Father.

That was always my way.

I have sinned greatly.

Think of your salvation.

I often did. But there is little time left for that now.

We'll stay with you and pray until the morning.

- When am I going to get some sleep? - Don't you fear God at all?

I do.

But I'm not going to talk of Him with you.

They're afraid of you now.

Because you don't fall in line with them.

Suspicion might fall on any of them, but me...

Not... me!

I have already stepped forward!

I'm already walking tall.

It takes courage!

A firm goal and no scruples!

I'm no longer... an ordinary man.

I'm already... at the top.

Our Father who art in Heaven, forgive us our trespasses.

No, do not forgive us our trespasses!

Don't forgive them, nor me.

For in Your name we have sinned against Man.

MASTER BOBLIG OF EDELSTADT LIVED HAPPILY TO A RIPE OLD AGE.

AND EVEN GOT MARRIED.

THE END