Witchfinder General(1968) is an intellegent, thoughtful, human study of power in a powerless time. Intellectual horror that plays on the emotional intensity of its characters, and the brutality they are capable of achieving. Pinnalce of British horror, which behind The Wicker Man(1974) is one of the best British horror pics ever. With an evil villain in form of Matthew Hopkins who carries around a darkly intellectual karma amid towns of superstitious people. Effective in showing an aura of brutal evil brought on by designs for power, superstition, and civil war.
Responsible in bringing forth a new subgenre, which dealt with the brutal violence, religious hypocrisies, and sexual debacheries of Middle age Europe, particularly the inquisition age. Witchfinder General(1968) deals with its inquisition subject in a forceful and psychological insightful manner. Later films of subgenre would rely heavily on human eroticism, and sadistic violence. The best of this subgenre besides Witchfinder General(1968) are Beatrice Cenci(1969), and The Bloody Judge(1969). The former shares a tragic quality with WG, while the latter is a portrait of intellectual evil.
Rare occasion where Vincent Price plays someone in a film without any camp or humor value. All the more scary because of Price's ability to balance between dry charm and cold blooded ruthlessness. Nothing he does in Witchfinder General(1968) is darkly comical like roles for Abominable Dr.Phibes(1972), or Theatre of Blood(1967). Closer to his portrayal of Prince Prospero in Roger Corman's Masque of the Red Death(1964) who shares similar qualities with Matthew Hopkins. Results in Vincent Price's finest performance and maximizes his acting talent to highest level.
Hopkins was the product of a system, where anything away from the norm political or religious wise were causes for condemnation as a witch. Powerful display on the chaotic effects war has on a country against itself. Director, Michael Reeves depicts a situation when justice and law are performed by those who prey on the weak and the powerless for personal gain. English Civil War lended to Hopkins having a type of power due to lack of a semblence of order. Interesting how horrible human acts are at their worst during times of chaos and war.
Matthew Hopkins was not the only known witchfinder general of his time, but is one of the most infamous and notorious of the witchfinders in that era. Very little is known about his life except for his days as a witchfinder, which makes him into an enigmatic figure shrouded in mystery. Hopkins in his day was the equivalent of a bounty hunter in era of American Wild West. What I find fascinating about Hopkins are the different sources concerning his death with one implying by natural causes, and another by execution as a witch. Price plays Hopkins with a chilling and cold hearted demeanor that only he could pull off in convincing fashion.
Judging by the effectiveness in film's direction and execution, Michael Reeves might have turned out to be one of British horror's best had he lived a little longer. He is the James Dean of film directors due to amount of excellence done in so little a time. Reeves shows his skills off in developing characters who are not plain good or evil but people who are capable of both. One style for whom Reeves is akin to is Lucio Fulci from his late 60s/early 70s period with similar themes of social consciousness. Scenes of horror are honestly and powerfully depicted by Reeves.
The fabulous cinematography of this film must have made an impression on Sam Peckinpah when he hired John Coquillon to do the cinematography for Straw Dogs(1971). In fact, there are many moments, which I feel influenced the ideas on the primal side of human being for Straw Dogs(1971). One, some of the characterizations of the film's hero would creep up a little into the personality of Dustin Hoffman's math professor. Two, the brooding and fercious mood of the cinematography here is also apparent in Straw Dogs(1971). The cinematography of this film is one of many aspects that gives it a powerhouse emotion.
Its American title is called Conqueror Worm even though it has nothing to do with the excellent Edgar Allen Poe poem. Donald Pleasence was the director's choice for Matthew Hopkins, but was declined by AIP in favor of the more marketable Vincent Price. Although Pleasence might have been good in the role, Price brings certain qualities as Matthew Hopkins that Pleasence might not have been able to give. The relationship between Price(actor) and Reeves(director) was one that was a love-hate one. Acting is very good with Price leading the way to give a brilliant performance.
Film's erotic elements are a mixture of the implicit and slightly explicit. Story's revenge angle ends with some kind of consequence for the main chracters involved. Robert Russell does a good job in playing Hopkin's assistent as sleezy, and sadistic. The strong and dry acting of Vincent Price was inspired by his frustations with the director about his role. A non Corman AIP classic that is deserving of a Special Edition DVD release.
The final scene packs a big punch with emotional and psychological intensity. Disturbing and mind shattering scene, which hasn't lost its ability to distress the psyche. The screams of Sara are enough to stay in one's memory following the sight of the last credit at the end of the film. Reminds me in a way of the final frame of Dario Argento's Tenebre(1982) where the main heroine is seen screaming against a backdrop of death and horror. A moment when none of the main characters come unscratched, and ends up with some psychological scar, which will affect for the rest of a lifetime.
Responsible in bringing forth a new subgenre, which dealt with the brutal violence, religious hypocrisies, and sexual debacheries of Middle age Europe, particularly the inquisition age. Witchfinder General(1968) deals with its inquisition subject in a forceful and psychological insightful manner. Later films of subgenre would rely heavily on human eroticism, and sadistic violence. The best of this subgenre besides Witchfinder General(1968) are Beatrice Cenci(1969), and The Bloody Judge(1969). The former shares a tragic quality with WG, while the latter is a portrait of intellectual evil.
Rare occasion where Vincent Price plays someone in a film without any camp or humor value. All the more scary because of Price's ability to balance between dry charm and cold blooded ruthlessness. Nothing he does in Witchfinder General(1968) is darkly comical like roles for Abominable Dr.Phibes(1972), or Theatre of Blood(1967). Closer to his portrayal of Prince Prospero in Roger Corman's Masque of the Red Death(1964) who shares similar qualities with Matthew Hopkins. Results in Vincent Price's finest performance and maximizes his acting talent to highest level.
Hopkins was the product of a system, where anything away from the norm political or religious wise were causes for condemnation as a witch. Powerful display on the chaotic effects war has on a country against itself. Director, Michael Reeves depicts a situation when justice and law are performed by those who prey on the weak and the powerless for personal gain. English Civil War lended to Hopkins having a type of power due to lack of a semblence of order. Interesting how horrible human acts are at their worst during times of chaos and war.
Matthew Hopkins was not the only known witchfinder general of his time, but is one of the most infamous and notorious of the witchfinders in that era. Very little is known about his life except for his days as a witchfinder, which makes him into an enigmatic figure shrouded in mystery. Hopkins in his day was the equivalent of a bounty hunter in era of American Wild West. What I find fascinating about Hopkins are the different sources concerning his death with one implying by natural causes, and another by execution as a witch. Price plays Hopkins with a chilling and cold hearted demeanor that only he could pull off in convincing fashion.
Judging by the effectiveness in film's direction and execution, Michael Reeves might have turned out to be one of British horror's best had he lived a little longer. He is the James Dean of film directors due to amount of excellence done in so little a time. Reeves shows his skills off in developing characters who are not plain good or evil but people who are capable of both. One style for whom Reeves is akin to is Lucio Fulci from his late 60s/early 70s period with similar themes of social consciousness. Scenes of horror are honestly and powerfully depicted by Reeves.
The fabulous cinematography of this film must have made an impression on Sam Peckinpah when he hired John Coquillon to do the cinematography for Straw Dogs(1971). In fact, there are many moments, which I feel influenced the ideas on the primal side of human being for Straw Dogs(1971). One, some of the characterizations of the film's hero would creep up a little into the personality of Dustin Hoffman's math professor. Two, the brooding and fercious mood of the cinematography here is also apparent in Straw Dogs(1971). The cinematography of this film is one of many aspects that gives it a powerhouse emotion.
Its American title is called Conqueror Worm even though it has nothing to do with the excellent Edgar Allen Poe poem. Donald Pleasence was the director's choice for Matthew Hopkins, but was declined by AIP in favor of the more marketable Vincent Price. Although Pleasence might have been good in the role, Price brings certain qualities as Matthew Hopkins that Pleasence might not have been able to give. The relationship between Price(actor) and Reeves(director) was one that was a love-hate one. Acting is very good with Price leading the way to give a brilliant performance.
Film's erotic elements are a mixture of the implicit and slightly explicit. Story's revenge angle ends with some kind of consequence for the main chracters involved. Robert Russell does a good job in playing Hopkin's assistent as sleezy, and sadistic. The strong and dry acting of Vincent Price was inspired by his frustations with the director about his role. A non Corman AIP classic that is deserving of a Special Edition DVD release.
The final scene packs a big punch with emotional and psychological intensity. Disturbing and mind shattering scene, which hasn't lost its ability to distress the psyche. The screams of Sara are enough to stay in one's memory following the sight of the last credit at the end of the film. Reminds me in a way of the final frame of Dario Argento's Tenebre(1982) where the main heroine is seen screaming against a backdrop of death and horror. A moment when none of the main characters come unscratched, and ends up with some psychological scar, which will affect for the rest of a lifetime.