"The Noonday Witch" is a folkloric concept that dates back to Czech legends and tales. It refers to a mysterious witch who appears at noon to terrorize children and bring misfortune. This mythological figure is often portrayed as a woman with disheveled hair, wearing ragged clothes and carrying a broomstick. According to the legends, the Noonday Witch is believed to live in the shadows and forested areas, where she lurks waiting for her next victim. She is said to have the ability to cast spells and curses on anyone who crosses her path, particularly children who misbehave or disobey their parents. The origins of this myth can be traced back to the superstitions and fears of rural communities in the Czech Republic.
This half-hearted lie, her mounting financial troubles, the absence of Anetka’s father, and the blistering summer heat all put a strain on the mother-daughter relationship. Meanwhile, the local townsfolk try to help Eliska move into the dilapidated old house, though their efforts grow increasingly invasive. Eliska tries to bring a sense of normalcy to their lives, but she senses an evil presence surrounding the house. As her paranoia reaches a feverpitch, Eliska struggles to maintain her sanity and protect her child from the “noonday witch” that haunts her.
The music opens with an idyllic scene with the witch s motive lurking surreptitiously of a woman preparing the noonday meal for her husband, soon interrupted by the strident cries flute and oboe of her child. He composed a trilogy of concert overtures on nature, life, and love in 1891-92, and in 1896 he wrote a group of four tone poems inspired by ballads from Kytice , a collection of eerie Czech folk tales in verse by Karel Jaromír Erben.
The origins of this myth can be traced back to the superstitions and fears of rural communities in the Czech Republic. The concept of the Noonday Witch was used as a way to instill discipline and obedience in children, as they were warned about the consequences of misbehavior. In some versions of the myth, it is believed that the Noonday Witch kidnaps disobedient children and takes them away to her lair in the forest.
The Noonday Witch: A Czech Folk Horror
The Noonday Witch (known as Polednice in its original Czech title) is a beautifully bright and quiet folk horror film. Directed by Jiří Sádek and written by Michal Samir (II), the story follows the lives of Eliska (Anna Geislerová) and her young daughter Anetka (Karolína Lipowská), who move to a remote countryside to start a new life. The two have a close relationship comprising of reading stories, sleeping in the same bed and cooking. All is well until a persistent Anetka discovers her mother has been lying about the whereabouts of her father, causing their relationship to deteriorate under the clutches of the Noonday Witch.
The Tale of Lady Midday
I have found the best way to get the most out of a folk horror film is learning about the folklore it is based on. “The Noon Witch” is one of those stories that answers questions you might ask after watching The Noonday Witch. The tale’s substance varies across cultures, but all share many commonalities. Below is an English summary of Karel Jaromír Erben’s poem, which you can read in English here.
“A mother is trying to prepare lunch, but her child is screaming for attention. She gives it some toys to play with, but nothing helps. So the mother decides to scare the child with a story about the Noon Witch who is said to come after children if they are naughty. At that moment, the church bell rings out, announcing that it is twelve o’clock – and there in the doorway stands the Noon Witch herself. She hobbles across the parlour, her arms reaching out for the child. The mother grabs her child and then faints in shock. The father comes home and finds the mother lying on the floor, their child in her arms. He manages to revive the mother, but the child is dead.” Source
The Noon Witch is an English title for the Slavic demon, whose other names include Polednice, Psezpolnica, Poludnitsa, Południca and Lady Midday. She appears in many forms (such as a young woman in white or an old weary woman) around noon during harvest time, the hottest days of the year, and possesses or kills those who dare enter the fields she resides. She most victimizes mothers and children, but the broad daylight and dreary heat in the Slavic landscapes makes even the most cautious person susceptible to her fate.
One of the most popular portrayals of the Noonday Witch is the symphonic ballad “Polendnice” by Czech composer Antonín Dvořá. You can listen to the song below.
“Don’t go anywhere. Not over the fence, not in the fields.”
AdvertisementMuch like the song it is based on, The Noonday Witch is slow-burning and symphonic. Ben Corrigan’s score incorporated with the sunny Czech fields creates an illusion of comfort that contrasts with the emotional turmoil each character goes through. It all works so well. Though I didn’t find movie scary, the tension builds to such grandeur that at the end I felt uneasy and on the edge of my seat. Geislerová and Lipowská’s provide convincing, exquisite performances of a struggle mother and daughter.
There are other components of the “Noon Witch” tale that I wish were included; for instance, adding more emphasis on the deaths or making the Noon Witch a greater threat could have made everything more suspenseful and frightening. But that isn’t enough to undermine how rewarding of a watch The Noonday Witch is. It is a feast for the senses originating from fascinating lore worth knowing. (4 / 5)
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“Don’t go anywhere. Not over the fence, not in the fields.”
Once captured, the children are said to suffer from nightmares, illnesses, and a general state of unease. Parents would warn their children to behave or else the Noonday Witch would come and get them. As with many legends and folklore, the Noonday Witch has been adapted and reimagined in different forms of media. It has inspired works of literature, art, and even films. In recent years, a horror film titled "The Noonday Witch" was released, bringing the myth to a wider audience. While the belief in the Noonday Witch may have diminished over time, it continues to be a part of Czech culture and folklore. It serves as a reminder of the importance of discipline, respect, and obedience, particularly among children. The concept may be seen as a cautionary tale, teaching valuable lessons and reinforcing societal norms..
Reviews for "The Enigma of the Noonday Witch: A Historical Perspective"
1. John - 2/5
"The Noonday Witch promised to be a chilling horror film, but it fell short of my expectations. While the cinematography was impressive, the story lacked depth and failed to deliver any real scares. The plot was predictable and the characters were underdeveloped, making it difficult to invest in their struggles. Overall, I found The Noonday Witch to be a disappointing and forgettable horror film."
2. Sarah - 1/5
"I cannot express how much I disliked The Noonday Witch. The pacing was slow and the scares were few and far between. The storyline was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me frustrated and disengaged. The performances were subpar, with the actors failing to bring any real emotion to their roles. I found the whole film to be dull and uninteresting, and I would not recommend it to anyone."
3. Tom - 2/5
"The Noonday Witch had an interesting concept, but it failed to execute it effectively. The film was filled with unnecessary jump scares and relied too heavily on cheap tactics to try to frighten the audience. The characters were unlikable and made questionable decisions, which made it hard to care about their well-being. Additionally, the ending left me unsatisfied and confused. Overall, The Noonday Witch was a disappointment for me."