Witchfinder General

[pro-bassoonist]

Witchfinder General Blu-ray

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Review



Michael Reeves' Witchfinder General (1968) has received a preliminary release date: March 21.


Pro-B

[Wickerfinder]

Had to join to say how happy I am this is going to be released. I might be biased because I live where the actual events happened & where the movie was subsequently filmed. However I still think it stands up as an illustration of the lack goodness inherant in the human soul.
& I love me some good revenge.

I hope it leads to more British horror getting the HD treatment.

[pro-bassoonist]

Well, welcome to the community, Wickerfinder

Pro-B

[alibaba-uk]

who has the rights for this now in the UK?

[csdot]

Awesome

[badblokebob]

It'll be interesting to see what the image quality on this one is like -- the uncut version I saw on TV recently (and, based on what I've read, the same goes for the DVD) looked to have had its censored sequences restored from a VHS.

[Clark Kent]

Praying this is a region-free release, it would be an immediate purchase.

[Dickieduvet]

Great news, Let's hope The Wicker Man will finally see the light of day next year too, Orders still in at Zavvi

[psicon]

Originally Posted by badblokebob

It'll be interesting to see what the image quality on this one is like -- the uncut version I saw on TV recently (and, based on what I've read, the same goes for the DVD) looked to have had its censored sequences restored from a VHS.

Yeah, the cut footage is of terrible quality on the DVD. I hope they've found a better source this time.

[bgart13]

The US MGM dvd looks really wonderful, so I hope that master is used for this.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by psicon

Yeah, the cut footage is of terrible quality on the DVD. I hope they've found a better source this time.

Wikipedia says uncut (or largely uncut; moreso than the UK cut version) prints have been in the U.S. for years.

I hope the export version is included...

[Douglas R]

This is one of the most over rated films ever. I've never understood the cult status in which the film is held. A rightful flop when shown theatrically. Risible script, acting and direction. In my opinion of course!

[HotRats]

Attempts to restore this should prove very interesting.

Earlier this year Radio 4 had a very entertaining play based on the filming of Witchfinder General and the friction between Price and Reeves. Well worth hearing if and when it gets repeated, Vincent Price and The Horror of The English Blood Beast. FAB Press' book on Tony Tenser, Beasts In The Cellar, is well worth reading too

[Wickerfinder]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Well, welcome to the community, Wickerfinder

Pro-B

Thank you

Originally Posted by Douglas R

This is one of the most over rated films ever. I've never understood the cult status in which the film is held. A rightful flop when shown theatrically. Risible script, acting and direction. In my opinion of course!

I have to say I have never quite understood why people hold that opinion. Please understand I'm not having a go at you here douglas R, I'm not into that. The script is a rather fine adaptation of Ronald Bassett's "historical" novel, an attempt to reset the Western genre in the British Isles. It was inspired idea to utilise the English Civil War as the back drop, probably one of the UK's most lawless periods & certainly with an atmosphere danger that the old American west had/has. Also inspired is the use of the human nature as the villain, the movie is often refered to as a horror movie but there is not one instance of anything supernatural. The horror relies firmly on the actions of human beings, hangings & burnings of innocent women, rape, torture, manipulation. It frankly doesn't let up on the social horror element, the entire movie is filmed edited & played out as one long abomination, one long human scream of the worst things that humanity has to offer. It creates & sustains that atmosphere very well, especially the uncut version, it even retains its UK 18 certificate 40 years later. Yes it's a horrible film, but not because it's badly made but because it is supposed to be an ordeal to watch, that to my understanding was the intention. & Enough to justify the cult status it holds.

I've waxed lyrical enough, it was a cheap movie no two ways about it, & an intelligent & barbaric one at the same time. Echoes of A Clockwork Orange perhaps.

[psicon]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Wikipedia says uncut (or largely uncut; moreso than the UK cut version) prints have been in the U.S. for years.

I hope the export version is included...

That's good to know.
Seems like it's only the alternative footage containing nudity that's not present in the US dvd.

[McCrutchy]

Amazon now shows this has been pushed back to 13 June 2011.

[zombeaner]

Yeah, its been that way for a couple of weeks. I'm bummed.

[John Hodson]

Odeon say June 13:

Extras include:

Audio Commentary with Michael Reeves biographer Benjamin Halligan and Director Michael Armstrong.
Documentary: The Blood Beast: The Films of Michael Reeves (24 Mins)
Documentary: Bloody Crimes: Witchcraft and Matthew Hopkins (24 Mins)
Vincent Price on Aspel & Company (10 Mins)
Intrusion: Michael Reeves Short Film with optional commentary. (Never before commercially released)
Alternate Scenes from the Export Version.
Theatrical Trailer and Stills Gallery.
Alternate US Opening and closing Credits.



So far, so good...

[Dickieduvet]

Lovin' the cover art, Nice.

[duggie walker]

Originally Posted by John Hodson

Odeon say June 13:

Extras include:

Audio Commentary with Michael Reeves biographer Benjamin Halligan and Director Michael Armstrong.
Documentary: The Blood Beast: The Films of Michael Reeves (24 Mins)
Documentary: Bloody Crimes: Witchcraft and Matthew Hopkins (24 Mins)
Vincent Price on Aspel & Company (10 Mins)
Intrusion: Michael Reeves Short Film with optional commentary. (Never before commercially released)
Alternate Scenes from the Export Version.
Theatrical Trailer and Stills Gallery.
Alternate US Opening and closing Credits.



So far, so good...

There's some bizarre merchandise on that site - the most random of which are these:

http://www.odeonent.co.uk/product.asp?cid=97&pid=2394

"Official John Wayne She Wore a Yellow Ribbon socks - in a box"!? WTF??