Dangereuses sont les nuits claires

Despite its too many sudden dramatic turns, this is a fascinating tale based on a play written by Finnish playwright Mika Waltari. However, the beginning reminded me of the first part of Mario Bava's film, "La maschera del demonio" (1960), when a scientist frees a witch by entering a crypt, breaking the cross that immobilizes her and accidentally giving her his own blood, a passage that is not contained in "Viy", the tale by Nikolai Gogol that inspired Bava's screenwriters.

In «The Witch Returns to Life», a Finnish scientist extracts a stake from the intact body of a witch buried in a swamp 300 years ago, and what follows is a wild tale about the duel between the flesh and the spirit, a classic theme that has inspired many great dramas, in search of catharsis. What lies beneath the story is the oppressive relationship between peasants and landowners, the same that caused a young girl's tragedy, accused of practicing witchcraft.

However, the treatment is often that of an erotic comedy, in which the sexual excitement of all characters predominates. Ultimately, it is not a titillating concession from the writers, but an indicator of what is really happening and what is revealed in the end. Recommended, but keep in mind that you are not going to see the typical witch movie of archaic inspirations (and aspirations).