In English folklore, the term "noondaz witch" refers to a type of witch that was believed to possess special powers and abilities at noon. This concept of a witch with enhanced magical abilities at this specific time of day is unique to English folklore and has been passed down through generations. The term "noondaz" is derived from the words "noon" and "dazzle." It describes the idea that these witches dazzled or mesmerized people with their powerful magic during the noon hour. According to popular belief, noondaz witches were most active and dangerous between the hours of 11 a.m.
In short, I think that The Noonday Witch should have featured a lot more witch and little less noonday. Yes, hot days are unpleasant. Sure, being alone can make you paranoid. Of course, familial drama can be stressful. Unfortunately, none of these plot elements are all that scary. Jiří Sádek took his great source material and churned out an entertaining, but ultimately unsatisfying psychological horror film.
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. 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.
m. and 1 p.m.
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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It’s important to note that Jiří Sádek’s film draws heavily from this poem, but makes some important alterations to prevent viewers from predicting the outcome. In The Noonday Witch, Eliska (Anna Geislerová), moves to a remote home formerly owned by her late husband. Despite her husband’s passing, Eliska tells her daughter, Anetka (Karolína Lipowská), that her father has gone on a trip and will return soon.
These witches were rumored to have the ability to control the weather, bring about storms, and perform other supernatural feats during this time. It was said that they could summon dark clouds, lightning, and rain with a mere wave of their hand. Some believed that they used their powers to bring chaos and destruction wherever they went. Noondaz witches were also thought to have the power to manipulate time. They were said to be able to slow down or speed up time during the noon hour, causing confusion and disorientation among those caught in their spells. This ability allowed them to easily escape capture and move undetected through the world. The origins of the noondaz witch are unclear. Some believe that the concept may have been influenced by other European folklore traditions, while others suggest that it may have developed independently within English folklore. Regardless of its origins, the noondaz witch remains an intriguing and mysterious figure in traditional English folklore. While belief in noondaz witches has largely diminished in modern times, their legacy lives on in various forms of literature, art, and entertainment. They continue to captivate the imagination of those interested in the fascinating world of folklore and magic. In conclusion, the concept of the noondaz witch in English folklore describes a powerful and dangerous witch who possessed enhanced magical abilities at noon. These witches were believed to be able to control the weather, manipulate time, and perform other supernatural feats during this time. While belief in noondaz witches has waned over time, they continue to be a fascinating and mysterious aspect of traditional English folklore..
Reviews for "The Noondaz Witch: Unleashing the Dark Powers"
1. John - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "The Noondaz Witch" since I've heard so much hype about it, but it just didn't do it for me. The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, the characters fell flat and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I honestly cannot understand the praise for "The Noondaz Witch." The writing style was pretentious and overly descriptive, making it a chore to read. The plot was convoluted and felt like it was going nowhere, leaving me frustrated and uninterested. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, as their actions and motivations were unclear. It's a book that I struggled to finish and ultimately regretted wasting my time on.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I was expecting "The Noondaz Witch" to be a captivating and thrilling read based on the reviews, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of mundane dialogue and unnecessary descriptions. The plot lacked originality and failed to hold my interest, and the characters felt one-dimensional and unrelatable. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious and forgettable read.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I was initially drawn to "The Noondaz Witch" due to its intriguing title and unique premise, but I found myself disappointed by the execution. The writing was overly verbose, making it difficult to understand the author's intentions. The story lacked cohesion and clarity, leaving me confused about the overall direction. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to invest in their journeys. I struggled to connect with the book, and it ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied.
5. Michael - 1 star - "The Noondaz Witch" was an absolute waste of my time. The writing style was convoluted and pretentious, making it difficult to follow the plot. The book lacked any real substance or depth, leaving me feeling bored and uninterested. The characters were flat and unengaging, making it hard to care about their struggles. Overall, I found the book to be a pretentious mess that failed to deliver any satisfaction.