IMDb RATING
5.0/10
335
YOUR RATING
A tribunal interrogates, tortures and murders "witches" and "heretics" during the Inquisition.A tribunal interrogates, tortures and murders "witches" and "heretics" during the Inquisition.A tribunal interrogates, tortures and murders "witches" and "heretics" during the Inquisition.
Rosemarie Heinikel
- Pompanne
- (as Rosy Rosy)
Karl Ferth
- Torture - Master
- (uncredited)
Joachim Hackethal
- The Torture-Master
- (uncredited)
Adrian Hoven
- Count Alexander von Salmenau
- (uncredited)
Herbert Kersten
- Judge
- (uncredited)
Hans Neubacher
- Judge
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThough the Advocate lost an eye in the original "Mark of the Devil", here it's grown back for the sequel.
- GoofsThere are no features painted on the silver face of the effigy burned in the execution scene.
- Quotes
Balthasar von Ross: You executed Henning Babout last year, didn't you? It was last year--it was the 17th of November last when you laid him on a butcher's table, you delicately smashed his rib cage and slit open his belly, then you gelded him, ripped out his heart, and slapped him several times across the face. I like that!
Nicholas: I also hacked him into 5 pieces, but by then he was already dead.
[chuckles]
Balthasar von Ross: What a pity.
- Alternate versionsThe English dubbed version that was released in the US tones down a graphic beheading near the end of the film. It otherwise appears complete. Comparison to a German VHS reveals that the beheading in intact in the German print, but another torture scene is cut short, before the payoff (it involves the woman hoisted up over the pointed box device). It is unclear is a fully uncut print has been released anywhere to this date.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Invasion of the Scream Queens (1992)
- SoundtracksDrama Heights
From the album "Drama-Tension"
Written, Arranged and Conducted by John Scott
Courtesy of Conrad Recorded Music
Featured review
During the 1970's, following the success of Michael Reeves "Witchfinder General", the original "Mark of the Devil" and perhaps Jess Francos sleaze-fest "The Bloody Judge", there was a hype about films involving the torture and killing of witches.
However, the hype didn't live long, producers figuring that you can only torture, rack and burn a witch so many times before the audience gets bored and interest soon faded and "Mark of the Devil 2" (the original German title translating loosely as "Witches: Defiled and tortured to death") could not cash into the success of it's predecessors.
It may not only have been the end of a hype that doomed the film but the production itself: Director Adrian Hoven and his crew were veterans of so-called Folk-movies, which meant that they knew how to shoot a handsome scenario but didn't have a clue how to film a dark, gloomy and misanthropic film like "Mark of the Devil" – let alone, how to film grizzling scenes of torture and inquisition. The torture scenes are lame, the subplot drags on and about halfway through the film, the viewer wonders why he's even bothering to follow up the story.
Second problem is the cast: it's enjoyable to see the return of Nalder (whom the US-audience probably know best as vampire Mr. Barloff in Stephen Kings "Salems Lot") and Johannes Buzalski (a veteran of Germany's sleazy-raunchy sex comedies), returning to their roles in "Mark of the Devil" in all but name. However, there is no Herbert Lom, no Udo Kier, Herbert Fux or Olivera Katarina that would supply charm and charisma. Both protagonists and antagonists come across as pale, stiff, indeed, wooden and invoke none of the sympathy or disdain that the original cast invoked.
Perhaps completists need it in their collection but if you really want to know what all the fuss about the "Witchhunter movies" was all about – and it wasn't so much, compared to modern gore-fests like "Saw" or "Hostel" – then stick to the original films mentioned and give "Mark of the Devil 2" a pass.
4 out of 10 points and that is being generous.
However, the hype didn't live long, producers figuring that you can only torture, rack and burn a witch so many times before the audience gets bored and interest soon faded and "Mark of the Devil 2" (the original German title translating loosely as "Witches: Defiled and tortured to death") could not cash into the success of it's predecessors.
It may not only have been the end of a hype that doomed the film but the production itself: Director Adrian Hoven and his crew were veterans of so-called Folk-movies, which meant that they knew how to shoot a handsome scenario but didn't have a clue how to film a dark, gloomy and misanthropic film like "Mark of the Devil" – let alone, how to film grizzling scenes of torture and inquisition. The torture scenes are lame, the subplot drags on and about halfway through the film, the viewer wonders why he's even bothering to follow up the story.
Second problem is the cast: it's enjoyable to see the return of Nalder (whom the US-audience probably know best as vampire Mr. Barloff in Stephen Kings "Salems Lot") and Johannes Buzalski (a veteran of Germany's sleazy-raunchy sex comedies), returning to their roles in "Mark of the Devil" in all but name. However, there is no Herbert Lom, no Udo Kier, Herbert Fux or Olivera Katarina that would supply charm and charisma. Both protagonists and antagonists come across as pale, stiff, indeed, wooden and invoke none of the sympathy or disdain that the original cast invoked.
Perhaps completists need it in their collection but if you really want to know what all the fuss about the "Witchhunter movies" was all about – and it wasn't so much, compared to modern gore-fests like "Saw" or "Hostel" – then stick to the original films mentioned and give "Mark of the Devil 2" a pass.
4 out of 10 points and that is being generous.
- t_atzmueller
- Jan 31, 2012
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Hexen geschändet und zu Tode gequält
- Filming locations
- Residenz zu Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria(Castle of the Eminence)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 37 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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Top Gap
By what name was Mark of the Devil Part II (1973) officially released in India in English?
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