Witchfinder General was originally released in the U.S. as The Conqueror Worm. It was directed by Michael Reeves who showcased the British countryside the way American westerns showcased the American west. Reeves did not want Vincent Price for the title character & rode him throughout the shooting to squeeze out a great & unique performance.
The story has nothing to do with Ed Poe's poem or the Ligea story from whence it came. It was about a young couple in 17th century England & the negative & fairly deranged effect of witch hunting on their lives. Notable in the movie are the various tests to prove or disprove the unholy pacts people might have made with the devil when obviously the devil was behind the ones doing the testing.
Good flick. Beautiful. And it seems to be appropriate 40 some years later.
1 comment:
I remember seeing this at my local cinema with a box of milk duds. Both the titles are pretty horrible, but I did get to shake Vincent Price's hand at the Springfield Art Center.
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