Witchfinder General 1968

 Better known as The Conqueror Worm here in the states 1968's Witchfinder General is often considered to be one of the best British horror films of all time.  When I originally saw this in the 70's on one of the Saturday horror shows (either Creature Double Feature or Dr. Shock's Mad Theater) I remember it being presented as Witchfinder General, in fact, I didn't know it was renamed The Conqueror Worm here in the states until I went to list it on Letterboxd.  Oddly enough this film has nothing to do with the Poe penned story it would be renamed after.  Director Michael Reeves (who died not long after this movie was released at the age of 25) originally wanted Donald Pleasence to play the title role but American International Pictures (PIP) already had an in-house horror movie actor and so the lead went to Vincent Price.  This caused much friction on set as Reeves didn't want Price in his movie due to the fact he felt the veteran often over acted his roles.  Price didn't want to hear about it from the young director and told him so but Price did manage to tone it down a bit for this one and it makes it a better picture for it.  Only after seeing the final product did Price attempt to bury the hatchet with the young director.

 Price stars as Matthew Hopkins an English lawyer who claimed he was appointed as Witch Finder General during the English Civil War in the mid 1600's.  He is believed to be responsible for the deaths of nearly 300 women between the years of 1644 and 1646.  This story is highly fictionalized but it is worth keeping in mind just how horrific and deadly the original man was.  The movie features scenes of torture that many felt was excessively violent at the time.  The film was heavily censored upon it's release in England but was later released in the US virtually uncut.  This shows the different levels of acceptance of graphic violence in films during the late 60's between the two countries.  For the German release some scenes of nudity were filmed and added in because that's what the German audiences wanted in their movies.  

Sadly the death of Reeves robbed the horror world of what looked to be a promising career.  He had a good eye for what looked good on film and as it stands the film still holds up today and looks like a really good period piece.  Much better than the over hyped The Witch that came out in 2015.  I also need to give some of the credit for how good this film looks is due to cinematographer John Coquillon who in all the ugliness going on around the country still finds beauty in the scenery.  I'm not sure if it is the classic many say it is but it is good but I am forced to wonder how much credit is given to the film simply due to the fact that Reeves, the director, died so young and right after the film was finished.  3 and a half Burning Stakes out of 5 and The Horror Honey says 3 for her.