WITCHFINDER GENERAL
(MGM / Midnight Movies DVD, 1968)

By David Alexander Nahmod
 

Beloved, much-missed Vincent Price gave one of his finest, most restrained performances in this grandly horrific historical drama.  It's the signature film of ill-fated director Michael Reeves, and has for decades been available only on a truncated VHS cassette, with a horribly re-done score. Fox and MGM, who have revived the popular Midnight Movies series, wisely offer Reeves' director's cut, with the original score restored.

Witchfinder General is a magnificent tale that combines fictional characters with historic ones. When released Stateside, distributor AIP re-titled the film Conqueror Worm, so as to cash in on the ongoing, very popular Price/Poe films. But Witchfinder has nothing to do with Poe, and AIP's retooling was nothing less than a slap in the face  to the author, not to mention Price and Reeves.

Throughout the 1960s, Price (and his vast audience) had a marvelous time as the actor hammed it up in many costumed fright flicks. But with Witchfinder General, the star recognized  that he was working with more serious material. He wisely plays it straight herein. His Mathew Hopkins, a hypocritical 17th Century witch hunter who tortures and kills innocent people in the name of "the Lord," is an unnerving character. Price has never been more imposing or frightening.

The film is set during the real life British Civil War in which Cromwell (Wymark) and his armies were battling the King for control of the country.  

Ian Ogilvy plays Richard, a handsome young soldier in love with Sarah (Dwyer). When her Uncle (Davies), a kindly parish priest, is unjustly killed by Hopkins, Sarah goes into hiding as Richard seeks vengeance.

The film is beautifully shot across an idyllic English countryside, which serves as a marked contrast to the violence and hatred instigated by Hopkins. This is the most evil character Price has ever played. Hopkins doesn't enjoy the suffering he inflicts. The cold hearted demon is simply oblivious to it. He has no feelings, no soul.  He's so unscrupulous, he strikes a bargain with Sarah: sex for her Uncle's life. He does not keep his end of their agreement.

The torture scenes are graphic and unnerving.

Reeves, only 25 when the film was made, did not live to see thirty. The troubled young man reportedly had many mental and drug abuse problems. But he was a brilliant artist. Though he and Price did not get along, they came to respect each other. Of the few films Reeves left behind, Witchfinder General is by far the one he will be remembered for.

Fox offers two ways for you to get this lushly produced disc. Both offer superbly remastered, uncut, letterboxed prints of the film. As a stand-alone disc, Witchfinder includes a commentary track with Ian Ogilvy and producer Philip Waddilove. The documentary Witchfinder General: Michael Reeves' Horror Classic is also included. It offers much insight into Reeves troubled life, his adversarial relationship with Price, and his brilliance as a filmmaker.  

You can also opt for a four disc box set: Vincent Price: MGM Scream Legends Collection. In addition to Witchfinder (aforementioned extras included), you get six other Price classics from the 60s and 70s, plus an added bonus: Disc of Horrors. This is a lovely tribute to Price. It features three all new documentaries: one about his life, one an analysis of his work, and the third on his working relationships with co-stars.