Three witches from EWTN's Inquisition mini-series

The Inquisition and Witchcraft

Here are three images from EWTN's up and coming Inquisition series, three witches. First we have the Catholic Inquisition which did not execute witches, more often than not they either treated witches and those who denounced them with scepticism or gave them spiritual penances, like sending them on a pilgrimage. The second shot shows a witch at a cauldron, yes witchcraft and evil is a reality. The third image is of how Protestants in the early modern era, dealt with witches which was usually to burn them.   

Denunciations of women accused of witchcraft were
treated with scepticism by the Catholic Inquisition.

Catholic countries did not burn witches, this was largely

due to the formal legal process of the Inquisitional tribunal

 

However, witchcraft is an evil reality, this still shows
a witch and a cauldron - inspired by the Waterhouse painting.

In Protestant countries being denounced as a witch had serious
consequences 50,000 suffered this cruel fate especially under
the influence of the "great" reformers Calvin and Knox

Note: no witches were hurt in the making of this film.

 

EWTN's mini-series The Inquisition update

The Final Shoot for EWTN's mini-series, The Inquisition

On Saturday 16th January 2016 the final shoot of EWTN's The Inquisition mini-series took place at the Church of the Holy Cross, Woking. We wanted to show the inquisitional tribunal authentically with a Cardinal or Grand Inquisitor presiding (played by Robin Ingram) a canon lawyer, Theologian, and  a scribe also present. Tribunals may include more members and also non clergy. At the time the Inquisitions were considered lenient in comparison to the civil authorities and were a great advancement in the law.



From left to right, John Atterbury, Robin Ingram, and Tony Plumridge

 

The scribe

 

Sound and camera by John James (seen seated here with
myself behind the camera,

 

The heretic by Jeff Baynham. faces questioning from the
Inquisition tribunal

The falsely accused as a witch was played by
Lynn Robertson Hay



Cathar/heretic played by Jeff Baynham

Galileo by Andrew N. Hill

Special thanks to Tony Plumridge for organising the shoot and for help with the camera work. Also many thanks to Mrs Plumridge for organising the wardrobe.

 

The Inquisition scenes were presented by Triptych Productions and filmed at the Church of the Holy Cross with the kind permission of Fr Robert Brucciani.

Broadcast times for the Chartres Pilgrimage documentary

IN SEARCH OF CHRISTENDOM

THE CHARTRES PILGRIMAGE

EWTN are to show the Chartres Pilgrimage documentary again on their British and Irish service.

The dates and times for EWTN's Gallery Presentation are:

Friday 8th January at 02:00 AM, 08:00 AM and 09:00PM duration 30 minutes.

Saturday 0th January at 03:30PM duration 30 minutes.

Thousands of young people prove that the spirit of Christianity is alive and well in Western Europe as they embark on a traditional three-day pilgrimage to Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral.

 

Trailer



 



 

 

Happy Christmas

 

Wishing One and All a

 

Christendom Christmas

 

Have very happy, holy, and prayerful Christmas

 

Hodie sciétis, quia veniét Dóminus, et salvábit nos

And a peaceful New Year.


In the New Year there will be re-broadcast on EWTN's UK and Ireland's network

In Search of Christendom - The Chartres Pilgrimage
on the 8th and 9th of January- to watch click here: http://www.ewtn.co.uk/media/tv

And Later in the 2016 a brand new 4 part docudrama series: The Inquisition.

In Search of Christendom

For Paris, Russia and the USA

All have been victims of terror attacks recently. Our prayers are with them. Here is a little video about the Paris - Chartres Pilgrimage that was broadcast earlier this year in Slovakia and worldwide by EWTN.

Our Lady of Chartres pray for us.



DVD - Chartres Pilgrimage

In Search of Christendom - The Chartres Pilgrimage

 

Perhaps this would make a good Christmas Present from EWTN UK https://www.ewtn.co.uk/shop/products/dvds/search-christendom-chartres-pilgrimage-dvd

 

 

for the USA http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/shop.axd/ProductDetails?edp_no=29762

 



 

Catholic Filmmakers roundtable interview

Interview for Regina Magazine

Latest Issue

Here is a couple of quotes from the interview for Regina Magazine

The Frankfurt School and Critical Theory.

THE FRANKFURT SCHOOL KNEW THAT IN ORDER TO CHANGE SOCIETY THEY NEEDED TO UNDERMINE CHRISTIANITY and they developed what is known as Critical Theory.  Critical Theory drew upon Marxism and used the media to undermine virtually all the building blocks of western society, especially Christianity and the family. The Catholic Church had the Vatican II document Inter Mirifica as a blue print on how to use the latest media; unfortunately many of the hierarchy do not appear to have read Inter Mirifica and many Catholics seem to follow something like a nebulous ‘spirit of Vatican II’ which sometime seems little different from Critical Theory.”

If a script doesn’t have a ‘kickass’ girl as a leading lady then it will not make it off the page.

‘Critical Theory’ has taken over the mind set of Hollywood where traditional marriage is disparaged, plots are contrived to feminise men and masculinise women,  and if a script doesn’t have a ‘kickass’ girl as a leading lady then sometimes it will not make it off the page. It can make men feel that as we are no longer needed or wanted to protect our wives and children. Women can do it all for themselves, so men can just stay home have a beer and watch the football on TV or be patted on the head and sent out to play, and many do just this. However, I firmly believe it is possible that by the use of the Gospel and the traditions of the Church we can turn Critical Theory on its head. Take any plot and put a faithful Catholic in there and see what happens.

For the rest of the Round table interview with other Catholic film-makers please click  here

EWTN's Inquisition docudrama update

 

Final shoot, soundtrack, and editing

production update

 

Setting up a shot - St Irenaeus of Lyons played by Julius Benko

 

 

 

In Slovakia we completed the last day's filming in and near the village of Domanzia in North West Slovakia. Where had great support from the village priest and the locals, and shot the last few scenes of the Inquisition docudrama. We staged the famous debate between Jewish and Christian scholars in 14th centre Spain led by St Vincent Ferrer. Also filmed was St Irenaeus writing his Against Heresies. We finished the day with a trial and simulated witch burning sequence, it is important to note that while the world since the early modern period focuses on the executions of heretics after an Inquisition trial which amounted to 5000, lamentable as this is, however the vast majority of executions during this period where of witches. Almost 150,000 of these so called witches were killed, and most of these took place in the Protestant countries of northern Europe.

St Vincent Ferrer and the debate between Jewish and Christian scholars

While in Slovakia I popped into Lux Communication our production partners to do some sound booth work and to sit with the editor. Also completed during the last month was the choir recording of the specially composed soundtrack by Mária Jašurdová sung by Chorus Salvatoris, conducted by Zuzana Buchova Holickova. We will also have a great orchestral soundtrack by Miroslav Sibik. The Cameraman Editor and myself are very excited with the opening sequence using the De Profundis by the choir and illustrations with images from the series. For the closing credits we will have another newly composed track by Miro called the Black Legend. I feel music is very important to a films overall impact and this is why I have been very specific in my requests to the composers and I am pleased with the results.