Witchfinder General (1968)
Genre: Horror / Drama
Duration: 86 minuten
Alternative titles: The Conqueror Worm / Matthew Hopkins: Witchfinder General
Country:
United Kingdom
Directed by: Michael Reeves
Stars: Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy and Rupert Davies
IMDb score:
6,7 (13.599)
Releasedate: 17 May 1968
Witchfinder General plot
"He'll hang, burn, and mutilate you. He's the… Witchfinder General"
Matthew Hopkins and his henchman John Stearne terrorize town and country with their Inquisition and witch hunt. The duo are having a blast with the accusations and executions of the ignorant through fear and religious hysteria. When young Sara is raped, her friend takes up the sword to avenge her.
Actors and actresses
Matthew Hopkins
Richard Marshall
John Stearne
Swallow
Sara
John Lowes
Cromwell
Master Loach
Salter
Captain Gordon
Reviews & comments
baspls
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- 4118 messages
- 1673 votes
Witchfinder General is a historical drama based on true history about Matthew Hopkins, a self-proclaimed Witch Hunter during the British Civil War. Although it is a British film, they managed to get none other than Vincent Price for the role. As a result, the marketing made it seem like the Poe adaptation The Conqueror Worm, when in fact it is an adaptation of Ronald Bassett's book.
The film looks quite cheap because of the brightly colored costumes and flat lighting. Also not very spectacularly shot and not as atmospheric as the films of Hammer or Roger Corman. Still, the period was nicely set and the rather simple story managed to entertain. There were even quite strong moments with good acting. Although the effects were poor (blood is red paint). Price shines again in a role he was born for. Paul Ferris makes a beautiful heroic orchestral soundtrack.
Entertaining film about historical witch hunts. Bizarre actually that first the Inquisition persecuted witches and heretics and later these Puritan nutcases started persecuting witches and 'idolists' in exactly the same way.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Shadowed
-
- 11345 messages
- 6677 votes
Rough.
Well, well, I was quite surprised that this film came out in 1968, because even now it is still quite rough, clumsy and indeed very misogynistic, but it does get the point across very clearly and that is something special.
Price steals the show with another great role, especially because he comes across as so cold and has a lot of lines in his character, it remains a pleasure to watch and the helpless feeling he makes you get during the executions is very present.
But the executions themselves are surprisingly heavy and rough scenes, I was still surprised, but the scenes work and are very powerful. Strong roles, although I did not find the hero very convincing. That comical helper was not really necessary either.
The revenge story also could fascinate me a little less, the fact that this film dares quite a lot and succeeds with it is quite impressive. It is all filmed a bit boring, with few visually interesting things, but yes it remains a low budget horror film from 1968.
Strong film, positively surprised.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Noodless
-
- 10040 messages
- 6176 votes
Actually, I expected this film to be a bit spicier in terms of torture and nudity. Vincent Price's role as Matthew Hopkins is perfectly cast. It's really something for him to play this role and he does so with verve. Okay, the blood sometimes looks unnatural, but for the rest I think this film is really well presented in terms of images and roughness towards fellow human beings. The aspect of the abuse of the Inquisition and witch hunt against women and other innocents is presented to the viewer in a realistic approach. I would have liked to see a bit more, which is why I found the ending a bit too simplistic and quickly worked out. Also special is the striking music that is present here, which is a surplus for the necessary atmosphere. 7.5/10
Translated from Dutch · View originalLatest News
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