Event

Day Of Wrath

(Carl Theodor Dreyer, Denmark, 1943, 35mm, 97 min)

In honor of the film's 65th anniversary were pleased to unearth this under-recognized Dreyer classic, complete with a brand-new restoration (each frame of the original negative was cleaned and digitally scanned to create a new 35mm print!). Called one of the most completely moving films ever made by film critic Pauline Kael, seeing Day of Wrath is not only a chance to view the work of a true auteur but also an opportunity to view something that is a part of history, since it was filmed in Nazi-occupied Denmark right before Dreyer fled. Set against the 17th Century anti-witchcraft craze, Day of Wrath is the story of an aging parson's young wife, who finds herself attracted to her stepson. Described as a damning critique of power disguised as morality the film was a commentary on the Nazi rise to power, but it remains timeless and its messages still resonate today. Though both thematically weighty and artistically constructed, Day of Wrath is still a good choice for viewers looking to have fun; witch hunters, a love triangle and a deadly betrayal all offer plenty of high-quality entertainment.

"The most compelling release of 2008 so far, a devastating period piece about love, betrayal and cruelty. I'd be saving a spot for it near the top of my 10-best list if the movie hadn't been made 65 years ago. An electric, unforgettable experience." - Andrew O'Hehir, Salon