WITCHFINDER GENERAL (1968) Fully Uncut Export Print
3876DVD
The
Fully UNCUT Export Version (English with German Subtitles)
original
German title: DER HEXENJAGER [The Witch Hunter]
original British title: WITCHFINDER
GENERAL also known as CONQUEROR WORM
director:
Michael Reeves
starring Vincent Price ˇ Ian Ogilvy ˇ Rupert Davies ˇ
Hilary Dwyer ˇ Robert Russell ˇ Nicky Henson
Vincent
Prince plays Rev.
Matthew Hopkins, a self proclaimed witch hunter who began his career
in 1644 in Essex, England. His reign of terror lasted a mere three years
but, in that time, it is estimated that he killed between 200-300 'witches.'
This film is based on his final days as a bloody prosecutor before his
demise at the hands of a young British officer seeking revenge for the
violation of his fiancé.
The film is generally considered one of Vincent Price's best performances,
notably because director Michael Reeves would not allow his 'antiquated
hammy' style of acting (this caused fiery disagreements during the shoot
for which Price - after seeing the finished product - apologized). Today,
director Reeves is treated as the 'Kurt Cobain of Horror Cinema,'
the subject of what-might've-been speculation if he had lived to
complete another film. But tragically, Michael Reeves died from a barbiturate
overdose in 1969 at age 25. This film was preceded by only two other
projects, Barbara Steele's SHE
BEAST and the ultra-quirky CASTLE
OF THE LIVING DEAD.
Of
course, there were 'Inquisition-themed' genre films before this one
(most notably Mario Bava's MASK
OF SATAN and Riccardo Freda's WITCHES'
CURSE) but this project was the first time the subject matter
became the actual theme rather than an incident within the film. For
many years to follow, other genre filmmakers would continue to exploit
this theme, most notably with Ken Russel's THE
DEVILS, Paul Naschy's INQUISITION,
LEONOR,
HELL
PORTAL, MARK
OF THE DEVIL, WITCHES'
SABBATH and numerous Jess Franco movies including LOVE
LETTERS OF A PORTUGUESE NUN.
A British film in English Language with German subtitles; fullscreen
format, totally uncut
export version (88 minutes), DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC; extras
include original trailer
plus opening and closing credit sequence for the American release "Conqueror
Worm."
Sexual
Themes/Nudity/Sexual Brutality
For Adult Audiences
Vincent
Prince plays Rev.
Matthew Hopkins, a self proclaimed witch hunter who began his career
in 1644 in Essex, England. His reign of terror lasted a mere three years
but, in that time, it is estimated that he killed between 200-300 'witches.'
This film is based on his final days as a bloody prosecutor before his
demise at the hands of a young British officer seeking revenge for the
violation of his fiancé.
