Watched the Birdie

May 17, 2009 3:44 AM

A woman's head on an owl's body. What film did I see?

Probably about twenty years ago, I saw a film on BBC2's DEFII programme. It was back and white, probably European and silent era (stylistically at least).

My memory might be vague but I'm sure there was a scene where a man wearing a straw boater was attacked by an owl (or possibly another bird of prey) with a woman's head. The man was walking beside some iron railings. The woman's head was shaven.

Scratching for more memories of the film: a suitcase, a book, someone getting into bed, tinted film.

Any ideas?

posted by popcassady to media & arts (5 comments total)

I'm not sure, but it sounds like a sirin.

So maybe the film was Russian or eastern European? Maybe that might jog your memory?
posted by plep at 4:57 AM on May 17

I immediately thought of a sirin or a harpy. Any more details on this film?
posted by sephira at 6:09 AM on May 17

I can't remember much else about the film. I was only young at the time but I do believe it may have been eastern European. There might have been a scene where a man sets his alarm clock before going to bed. This might have preceded the scene with the bird woman.

More fuzzy memory... The bird woman might have swallowed/bitten the man.
posted by popcassady at 9:03 AM on May 17

It looks like I've answered my own question. I did a search for 'Harpy' in IMBD's keyword search and it came up with, Harpya. Google video here. Slightly different to how a remember it but still as creepy.
posted by popcassady at 9:21 AM on May 17

Quite a few Harpies in Scandinavian movies too (they feature in our legend), but b&w sets it before my time. I believe they were also in Ronja Rövardotter even (kid's movie), and I thought Seventh Seal but Google says not. I think "Jason And The Argonauts" did have Harpies though..but again, in "colour".
posted by lundman at 6:21 PM on May 17