Witchfinder General [1968] | ![Witchfinder General [1968]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511RRMX2RRL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Michael Reeves
Actors: Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, Nicky Henson, Robert Russell, Rupert Davies
Studio: Prism Leisure
Category: DVD
List Price: £5.99
Buy New: £2.45
You Save: £3.54 (59%)
New (5) Used (6) from £2.45
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 33296
Format: Anamorphic, Pal, Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region: 0
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 82 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5014293147958
ASIN: B00005NCZC
Theatrical Release Date: 1968
Release Date: September 1, 2003
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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Amazon.co.uk Review
Witchfinder General is one of those cult British films that, like The Wicker Man, seemed to herald a renaissance in the fortunes of the British film industry in the late 1960s and early 70s. With only his third film, director Michael Reeves displayed an assured grasp of technique and a confident ability to mix and match genres that marked him out as a homegrown wunderkind to rival the Spielbergs and Coppolas who were just graduating from film school across the Atlantic. Sadly, this promise remained unfulfilled as Reeves died suddenly, soon after completing the film, from a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs; Witchfinder General remains his only significant work Veteran Vincent Price is wonderfully cast as the titular witchfinder, Matthew Hopkins, whose bloody and usually sexually motivated persecutions across civil war-torn East Anglia are carried out with much relish, graphic fake blood and lots of screaming. Ian Ogilvy, an old school pal of the director's, is the upright new model soldier who swears vengeance against Hopkins for the rape of his betrothed (Hilary Dwyer, who in true Hammer Horror fashion gets to take her top off and scream a lot). Lascivious depictions of burning witches and gratuitous sex aside, what draws the viewer into the film is the setting as Reeves' camera roams lovingly across the East Anglian countryside. The opening-hanging scene, for example, depends strongly on location for its effect, and Ogilvy's quest for revenge takes on a John Ford-style Western aura in the director's hands. Perhaps not quite the masterpiece some seem to think it is, Witchfinder General remains a sturdy piece of distinctively British filmmaking. On the DVD: This disc allows the viewer to select the slightly extended "Export cut" of the movie, which has a little more graphic blood than the censored UK release, although the restored sequences are of markedly inferior quality. The anamorphic picture and mono sound are decent, even if too many murky nighttime scenes and badly dubbed actors' voices betray the film's restrictively low budget. The major extra is a documentary about the life and short career of Michael Reeves, while other fill-ups include text notes from critic Kim Newman, a music video, trailer, filmographies and stills. All in all, it's a welcome restoration of a genre classic. --Mark Walker
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
Ultra realistic horror history July 20, 2007
Lou Knee (England)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A clear breakaway from the formula horror films that filled the 1960s, from Hammer, Amicus and Roger Corman. This Tigon production relied on a young maverick director delivering us on a new path to damnable happenings. In this artily directed film he gives us a horror that was historically real. The lovely introductory spoken narrative explaining the dire state of England being torn apart by civil war sets the serious tone for the rest of this film, the sort of tone that had been missing from all the big studio horror films mentioned above. This is not fantasy horror, we are being reminded, but real horror fashioned out of religious paranoia. So when we eventually get to meet the villain of the piece, the stern puritan lawyer Matthew Hopkins, who we find is manipulating this paranoia and anti Catholic sentiment for his own perverted power lust and financial gain, we are not in any way surprised to see his portrayer, Vincent Price playing it very straight. Price knows exactly what he is being asked to portray: pure, twisted, opportunistic, bigotted, sanctimonious humanity-real horror for a change, not fantasy horror where he keeps his tongue firmly in his cheek. For this alone, it is a remarkable film, and a lot of the credit has to go to Reeves. Because the monster of this piece is human, the viewer's sympathy is with the hero of the film (played very well by Ian Olgivy) far more, I think, than it is in say, a Dracula or werewolf film. Because of this realness it is a very memorable film, and it's no wonder it has acquired cult film status. The photography is delicious, taking us on a panoramic tour through a lush and rural East Anglia, mostly on horseback. Something different, this, for horror film fans, and in my own humble reckoning, one of the very best of all time. The makers of The Village (nowhere near as good, or frightening) were clearly influenced by this minor classic.
 Excellent Horror . June 2, 2007
Mr. M. A. West (london)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I must say that there are some poor reviews about this film, however it is excellently acted under the controlled guidance of the late Michael Reeves.
The acting of Vincent Price in this film is very underhand as Michael Reeves wanted an understated performance from the King of horror and this works too.
The only grumble with the film is the unrestored missing parts originally taken out for reserved British Audiences, these are poor prints.
But overall this is an excellent film.
The 5 stars is for the film, not for the DVD. August 19, 2006
Jacob Andersen (Luton, England, UK)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The first time I saw Witchfinder General was in a history lesson. We were learning about English witchfinders. The version I saw was a cut, poor VHS print. Even though it was VHS, I loved the film. I am a fan of British horror cinema and this was the best one I saw, even better than THE WICKER MAN. Once I left school, I was looking for a DVD of it everywhere. Once I found out about this DVD release, I was so happy. Once I brought it, I was immensely disappointed- not at the film but the DVD! The violent scenes that were cut in 1968 are included, but not restored- it is taken from a VERY poor video print. There is no audio commentary- they could have got Ian Ogilvy, Nicky Henson, Hilary Dwyer, etc. No subtitles. The print is nice and colourful but too damaged by marks and dirt on the screen at times. I HATE ALL PRISM LEISURE RELEASES!! But at least it has the British theatrical trailer and a few more extras- I was very pleased at that. Overall it is not a bad DVD release- much better than the poor, cut, VHS copies of it. I just wait for Sony to release an uncut, remastered, special edition DVD of this classic BRITISH horror masterpiece. If you are fans of Michael Reeves, Vincent Price or British horror films, I really recommend this DVD release to you.
 A really great idea.... badly executed. March 6, 2006
1 out of 11 found this review helpful
Because it starred Vincent Price and it's theme of witchhunting
hadn't had many screen time,this film has been classified in many minds as being a classic but the truth is that the execution of the film isn't great at all and the script is lacking in so many ways.Some scenes are shot in close to total darkness and the caracters are very underdevelopped.The hero of the film who later starred in THE RETURN OF THE SAINT gets almost as bad as the Vincent Price caracter in the end.There are many questions about the caracter's motivations but most remain
unclear.Still,the blueprint of this story(using religious fears
for selfish reasons)is fascinating and with a great revamped script,proper budget and good directing,one could imagine that a great film could have came out of it,unfortunetly,this isn't it!
 nice try, could have done better.... September 6, 2005
4 out of 13 found this review helpful
Soldiers fresh from battle with never a scratch, powder-mark or even mudsplash in sight... Ogilvie acting as though he was a (taller, but otherwise less stilted?) prototype for Tom Cruise... Roundhead officers supposedly sent out on a vitally important intercept mission, but with a supporting contingent of only two men and no military paperwork to demand help or non-hindrance from local apparachiks?
Oh dear.... all typical shortcomings of a 1960s movie script. Yet Vincent Price is actually quite good in an understated way, as is his rascally assistant, though some other "starring" roles are none too bright. Despite its flaws, the film is still good enough to buy (at least at discount price).
For real period quality, however, go for "By the Sword Divided" -- a rare example of British at its absolute best.
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