The Witcher's First Adaptation: A Spectacular Triumph!

Many influential works of fiction often go unnoticed by the general public until they are adapted in the right way. "Who Goes There?" is a prime example. Although it was published in 1938, it gained widespread recognition when John Carpenter's film adaptation titled The Thing was released. Some works require several attempts to achieve global success, just like The Witcher. The Witcher, a series of six novels and 15 short stories written by Andrzej Sapkowski, initially gained a devoted following in Eastern Europe, eventually becoming a cult classic. CD Projekt Red's immensely popular Witcher game trilogy then became the face of the franchise, leading to a successful Netflix series. However, it was Polish filmmaker Marek Brodzki who first brought this material to the big screen.

What is The Hexer about?

Why was The Hexer so poorly received?

On a mysterious continent in a fantastical realm, a young infant named Geralt is forcefully separated from his home and beloved family. Swept away by the Law of Surprise, an ancient social contract that demands the repayment of debts through the relinquishment of one's firstborn child, Geralt embarks on a treacherous journey. Enduring brutal trials and undergoing enigmatic physical metamorphoses, he evolves into a legendary Hexer. Alongside his loyal allies, Geralt embraces the life of an outsider, dedicating himself to eradicating the malevolent monsters that pose a constant threat to innocent lives.

Upon completing his transformative rituals, Geralt ventures forth on a valiant quest to safeguard humanity. Facing formidable adversaries, he fearlessly confronts a fearsome dragon, vanquishes nefarious bandits, and heroically rescues a captive princess. In the midst of his perilous odyssey, Geralt unexpectedly encounters his true love, an affable bard, and his prophesied daughter. Yet, lurking along his perilous path, a sworn nemesis emerges, forcing Geralt into an epic battle that can only culminate in a deadly showdown. Devoted fans will recognize the familiar cadence of this enthralling tale, even amid the significant alterations.

The structure of The Hexer is its biggest issue. With a cost of 19 million Polish zlotys (approximately $4.6 million), it was a relatively high-budget film during its time. Additionally, excessive spending on marketing further contributed to the film's problems. Originally intended as a Polish response to Hollywood productions, The Hexer was initially planned as a TV series. Despite receiving 13 episodes, the film ended up being more of a glorified trailer for the show. Consequently, the 2-hour movie is filled with disjointed events that would only make sense as separate episodes. The editing, pacing, and narrative structure of The Hexer are inexplicable due to its peculiar construction. As a result, individual scenes provide enjoyable nostalgic adventure stories, while the overall film is a complete mess.

How did The Hexer affect The Witcher?

The Hexer can be quite perplexing for those who are unfamiliar with The Witcher. The initial scenes are mostly inexplicable, leaving newcomers scratching their heads. However, devoted fans will recognize young Geralt's trials and the monsters he hunts, although they may also be disappointed by the numerous significant changes made to the source material. For instance, Geralt's mentor and surrogate father, Vesemir, is portrayed as a random priest instead of the character they know, while another old witcher somewhat embodies Vesemir's traits. Without any clear explanation, Geralt is treated as an outcast by his fellow witchers in the film. Additionally, the film introduces a school of all-female witchers, despite the fact that the profession is exclusively male in the books. Furthermore, the film takes the liberty of killing off Priestesses Nenneke and Iola and significantly expands the roles of Falwick and the Order of the White Rose, who become the main antagonists. While every adaptation entails changes, The Hexer's rushed pace was criticized for its poor translation of the original material.

Critics and audiences widely disliked The Hexer, but the actors received praise for their performances. Director Marek Brodzki aimed to make it a massive blockbuster, so he cast some of the biggest Polish stars of the time. The film also expanded its advertising reach through various mediums. It produced toys and launched numerous marketing campaigns. Notably, The Hexer's promotional efforts included the first official English translation of the original stories. Although most translations of The Witcher came after the success of the games, The Hexer played a role in building the English-speaking fanbase despite its flaws.

The Hexer, although a bit chaotic, holds an intriguing place within The Witcher's extensive history. One Polish creator transformed Sapkowski's work into a global sensation, while another adaptation resulted in a lackluster film and TV series. It serves as a valuable lesson in the art of adaptation, illustrating that some stories require a different medium to truly captivate the world. Certain critics of Netflix's ongoing take on the material have lauded The Hexer as a means of criticizing the more recent series. While The Hexer possesses a certain charm, it provides a peculiar viewing experience. Enthusiasts of the franchise would do well to give it a chance. Fortunately, it can be freely accessed on YouTube. Although The Hexer may have stumbled on its journey, now that Geralt has become a beloved icon, the film can enjoy a new life as an amusing curiosity.