Witchhammer

Medieval witch trials inspired Václav Kaplický's 1963 book. Otakar Vávra and Ester Krumbachová later used this novel as a basis for the screenplay for the excellent historical drama of the same name, Witchhammer (1969). The renowned director and the multi-talented costume designer, however, also drew inspiration from preserved court records of witch trials between years 1678 and1659. Although the movie plot focuses on the fates of the people actually accused in the witch trials, it also intentionally depicts the political trials of the 1950s.