Witchfinder General (1968)

The last and most accomplished film from British director Michael Reeves (who died in 1969 at the age of 25), Witchfinder General feels like the work of a talented filmmaker just starting to hit his stride; while it's overstating the case to call it a great movie, it's a very good one, and it's not hard to imagine (as more than one critic has speculated) that Reeves could have been a potent force in British horror had he lived. In Witchfinder General, Reeves achieved a cold, bleak look and feel that perfectly captured the rugged landscapes of the North of England (as well as the flinty heart of its leading character), and while the film was scandalous in its day for its violence, seen more than three decades on, the bulk of Witchfinder General's brutality seems to be inflicted upon the audience rather than the characters onscreen -- there's little relish in the torture scenes, and a plentiful share of outraged disgust that's unusual in the genre. Reeves also managed to draw fine performances from his cast, especially Vincent Price as Matthew Hopkins; Reeves persuaded Price to tone down the campy mannerisms that had crept into his work with Roger Corman, and the result is a portrait of steely, self-righteous evil that ranks with the actor's most effective performances, while Ian Ogilvy and Hillary Dwyer offer fine support. Though obviously shot on a low budget and sometimes inconsistent in its pacing, Witchfinder General remains both powerful and unnerving, and certainly merits the cult following it has gained over the years; as a look at the dark side of Puritan England, it's nearly as strong and certainly more realistic than Ken Russell's not-dissimilar The Devils. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide