Witchfinder General

[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.