OVERALL: Draw
The US release has both versions of the film with the most extras, but it uses PAL to NTSC transfers.
The UK release has both versions of the film with additional music score options.
The Swedish release only has the original version of the film but with a newer, more complete transfer and unique score.
A fan of the film may wish to own more than one release.
In 1968, Häxan was re-edited and re-released in the US as "Witchcraft Through the Ages", with narration by William S. Burroughs and a jazz score by Daniel Humair.
There are three restorations of the original Swedish version of Häxan:
- 1976 Swedish Film Institute tinted photochemical restoration
- 2007 Swedish Film Institute tinted photochemical restoration
- 2016 Swedish Film Institute tinted digital restoration, as yet unreleased on home video
[DVD Beaver link]
CUTS:
R0 #134 America- Criterion Collection - No cuts, includes two versions of the film:
- "Häxan" (1922) - 1976 Swedish Film Institute photochemical restoration (105:04 PAL > NTSC).
- "Witchcraft Through the Ages" (1968) (76:38 PAL > NTSC).
R2 Scandinavia- Svenska Filminstitutet - No cuts, 2007 Swedish Film Institute photochemical restoration (106:41 PAL)
R2 United Kingdom- Tartan Video - No cuts, includes two versions of the film:
- "Häxan" (1922) - 1976 Swedish Film Institute photochemical restoration (105:05 PAL).
- "Witchcraft Through the Ages" (1968) (76:38 PAL).
Aaand... before you ask, these restorations are all described and dated on the Swedish Film Institute's website in various articles, including this one.
