Praesten i Vejlby (1922 film)

Praesten i Vejlby
1922 film poster by Palle Wennerwald
Directed by	August Blom
Written by	Valdemar Andersen Steen Steensen Blicher (story)
Starring	Viggo Wiehe Gunnar Tolnæs Ingeborg Spangsfeldt
Cinematography	Louis Larsen
Release date	1922 (1922)
Country	Denmark
Language	Silent Film Danish Intertitles

The Vicar of Vejlby (Danish: Præsten i Vejlby) is a 1922 Danish crime mystery film directed by August Blom. It is also known as The Hand of Fate. The silent film is based on a novella by Steen Steensen Blicher about a true murder case from 1626. The story was adapted later by George Schnéevoigt (see Praesten i Vejlby (1931 film)), and again by Claus Ørsted (see Praesten i Vejlby (1972 film)). Blom's version remains the most faithful to the original literature. In addition, Blom filmed on location in the village of Vejlby, using the Vejlby Church.

Søren Qvist, a village minister with a short-temper, is accused of murdering his unlikeable servant when the man disappears after an argument. Erik Sørensen, the local judge, reluctantly investigates but he is conflicted because he is happily betrothed to the minister's daughter, Mette. The judge becomes distraught as more and more witnesses offer evidence against the minister. The minister, although he doesn't remember any murder, believes the evidence is undeniable and decides to confess—condemning himself to death. The judge is forced to pass sentence—the pastor is beheaded—and Judge Sørensen's relationship with the woman he loves is destroyed. Twenty years later, the murder victim returns to the village. He reveals his alleged murder was a cruel hoax constructed by his brother as revenge for his rejection as a suitor for Mette.