It's intriguing that so many diverse cultures have independently developed legends of the witch: a supernatural female, frequently erotic, with powers usually devoted to evil. Most peasant cultures are nominally ruled by men, but the two great mysteries of life -- birth and death -- are controlled by women. A woman gives birth, aided by midwives, in the absence of men. Women prepare a corpse for its journey to the afterworld. It may well be that the power of the witch is merely male fear of women's secrets, women's wisdom, women's sexuality.
'Noita palaa elämään', which I translate (probably incorrectly) as 'The Witch Must Burn', is a fascinating Finnish version of the witch legend. I was surprised that this film is adapted from a stage play, as it features clever use of multiple locations and exteriors. There's nothing stage-bound here.
Hannu and his pretty blonde wife Greta are young archaeologists excavating a grave on the estate of Baron Hallberg. (I cringed at their excavation technique, which involves removing earth as rapidly as possible, in large quantities.) They seem to be working under the patronage of the baron's son Veikko, rather than the baron himself. One of the diggers uncovers the grave of a witch who was buried 300 years ago at the behest of one of the baron's ancestors. The archaeologists remove the witch's remains, including the surviving scraps of her garments and a leather pouch. Working from these scraps, Greta tries to reconstruct the witch's original garments.
Soon, the local peasants find a naked woman in the grave! Mirja Mane gives an astonishing performance as Birgit, the foundling. She dances naked through the Finnish countryside, her limbs contorting at weird angles and her long dark Betty Page hairstyle flying seductively. The peasants are scandalised. (One of the peasants looks amazingly like Rondo Hatton; another one resembles Jane Darwell.) Birgit is welcomed into the baron's castle by Veikko, Hannu and Kauko (a comic-relief portrait painter), and soon she's wearing the witch's dirndl made by Greta.
SPOILERS COMING. There are suspicions that the erotic young Birgit is the ancient witch reborn, but at first these rumours seem to be superstitious misogyny: all of the 'supernatural' acts manifested by Birgit's arrival could be explained rationally. Gradually, though, as she seduces Hannu and Veikko (while causing Greta to begin an affair with Kauko), it becomes clear that Birgit indeed has supernatural powers. The climax of the film is powerful, raw, elemental and erotic ... but not scary. This film has many good points, but it simply isn't eerie enough to be a horror film.
Despite an obtrusive music track, I was deeply impressed with the photography and editing in this film. There are a couple of bad cuts, but several other cuts are made very intelligently (including one reminiscent of Hitchcock's 'Rope'), and an unusual montage sequence without any dissolves. I was especially impressed by two jump cuts when Birgit causes objects to vanish: these jump cuts were filmed outdoors, in daylight against a formation of cumulus clouds ... so the director had to risk that the sun and the clouds might change position between the two camera set-ups either side of the cut. I can't recall that 'Bewitched' or 'I Dream of Jeannie' ever had the guts to do an open-air exterior jump cut. Throughout this film, the Finnish locations emphasise the alien and exotic aspects of the story.
The peasants and servants, alas, are mere stock figures, perhaps more laughable than the filmmakers intended. But all of the primary actors in this film give first-rate performances. As Greta, Hillevi Lagerstam is sexy and flirtatious without ever becoming implausible. In the lead role, Mirja Mane gives an astonishingly physical and erotic performance, reminding me of Hedy Lamarr's famous nude scene in 'Ekstase'.
I strongly recommend 'Noita palaa elämään' as an efficient (and erotic) example of low-budget film-making. The story, direction, editing and performances are excellent. However, if you're looking for a spooky horror film, look elsewhere. This movie, for all its powerful narrative, is NOT scary ... unless you're one of those people who think that the female form, in its naked glory, is something to be afraid of. I'll rate this excellent movie 9 out of 10.
