Satan: Prince of Darkness

This 1998 A&E Biography episode gives the devil his due. Of course, it isn't exactly a standard biography, but rather a sketchy historical survey of the idea of an Evil One, which developed in the ancient world and took firm root in the Judeo-Christian tradition, particularly in medieval times and later during the witchcraft crazes of the 16th and 17th centuries. Narrated by Don Morrow, the documentary features scholarly interview excerpts, illustrative artwork, and discussions of pertinent literary works (the Scriptures and Marlowe's Doctor Faustus in particular), as well as some film footage (including excerpts from The Exorcist). Dramatic recreations in the final third of the program trace the reduction of Satan to a figure of fun during the age of Enlightenment, only to be followed by a sort of demonic resurrection in the modern era, when the horrors of war on a massive scale led to a resurgence of the idea of evil forces at work in the world. DVD extras include the History Channel's full-length documentary Hell: The Devil's Domain, which not only shares a good deal of material with the main program, but is actually superior. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)