Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 22, 2011

Michael Reeves' "Witchfinder General" a.k.a. "The Conqueror Worm" (1968) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Odeon. The supplemental features on the disc include the film's original theatrical trailer; audio commentary by Benjamin Halligan and Michael Armstrong; alternate opening and closing credits; alternate scenes from the film's export version; stills gallery; documentary film about witchcraft; archival video interview with Vincent Price; and "Intrusion", a short film by Michael Reeves dedicated to Jean-Luc Godard. In English, without optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The Witchfinder

The year is 1645. The location is England. Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads (Parlimentarists) have won, but there are still small groups of Royalists throughout the country launching attacks on them. During one such attack, Richard Marshall (Ian Ogilvy) saves the life of his captain and earns himself a small vacation. He immediately heads to a nearby castle to visit his future wife Sara Lowes (Hilary Dwyer) and her uncle, the priest John Lowes (Rupert Davies), who agrees to bless their union if Richard takes her to Brandiston, a small but safe village. Richard gives him his word and then heads back to his regimen.

Along the way he meets Matthew Hopkins (Vincent Price), a sadistic lawyer turned witchfinder, and his assistant John Stearne (Robert Russell). The two have been summoned to investigate a special case involving a priest who might have sold his soul to the devil. The priest happens to be Sara’s uncle.

The witchfinder and his assistant arrive in the castle and immediately begin questioning the priest. To save his life, Sara offers to spend the night with the witchfinder. On the following day, however, his assistant rapes her while he is away on personal business.

When word about the death of the priest reaches Richard, he vows to find and kill the witchfinder and his priest. His captain, however, warns him that he is still a soldier who must follow his orders and defend the country from the royalists.

Michael Reeves’ Witchfinder General is a shockingly violent and genuinely unsettling film about the dangerous vacuum the English Civil War created, and the unspeakable atrocities committed by opportunists such as Matthew Hopkins, who thrived in it while it lasted. (Hopkins is indeed a historical figure whose existence is well documented). There really isn’t another film quite like Wtichfinder General. The film does not attempt to deliver cheap thrills; rather, it aims to genuinely shock its viewers with a notably realistic depiction of a truly horrific practice. There are still a couple of campy sequences where a few awkward lines brighten things a bit, but the faint of heart should avoid it.

Price is outstanding as the witchfinder. His acting is completely free of pomposity and smugness. It is arguably one of his most earnest and straightforward characterizations. It is without a doubt his most satisfying.

Ogilvy is likeable but hardly as impressive as Price. His anger outbursts are never convincing. The majority of his lines also feel incredibly chaotic.

Dwyer’s time in front of the camera is limited. Like Ogilvy, her acting is rather overly dramatic and ultimately more appropriate for a campy film where the usual screams and skin are far more important than its story.

Russell’s character seems like he genuinely enjoys what he does, but next to the witchfinder he looks notably inferior. When seen alone, he is far more convincing. His lines, however, are also not overly impressive.

Note: In the United States, Witchfinder General was retitled and distributed as The Conqueror Worm, after the 1843 Edgar Allan Poe poem, which Price narrates over the opening credits.

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Michael Reeves' Witchfinder General arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Odeon.

The film has not undergone a meticulous restoration, but it has been digitally remastered and really does look quite good. There is some transition softness (see screencapture #1) and small wear, but there are no traces of excessive denoising. Edge-enhancement is also practically kept at bay, as the only harshness that pops up is during a few of the outdoor sequences. Fine object detail is good, particularly during close-ups (see scneencapture #15). Color reproduction is also satisfying. Lastly, though not always well resolved and often mixed with small doses of light noise, the grain is visible throughout the entire film. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (mono). For the record, Odeon have not provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 handles Paul Ferris' music score well. Clearly, however, its dynamic amplitude is quite limited, which should not be surprising given the nature of the film and how it was produced. The dialog is stable and crisp, but I would have preferred to have optional English subtitles for the main feature. For the record, there are no large pops, cracks, or audio dropouts to report in this review.

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - in this very good audio commentary, Benjamin Halligan and Michael Armstrong discuss the film's production history, the controversy that followed its premiere, Michael Reeves' tragic death and legacy, etc.

• Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for Witchfinder General. In English, not subtitled. (3 min, PAL).

• Alternate Opening and Closing Credits - in English, not subtitled. (7 min, 1080p).

• Alternate Scenes from Export Version - in English, not subtitled. (6 min, PAL).

• Vincent Price on Aspen & Company - in this hilarious archival interview, Vincent Price discusses his career and the various characters he played during the years. In English, not subtitled. (11 min, PAL).

• The Blood Beast - The Films of Michael Reeves - director Michael Reeves died at the age of 24. This featurette takes a look at his life and legacy. In English, not subtitled. (24 min, PAL).

• Intrusion - Michael Reeves Short Film - a short film by Michael Reeves dedicated to Jean-Luc Godard. B&W. Silent. (11 min, PAL).

• Intrusion - with an audio commentary by Benjamin Halligan and Michael Armstrong.

• Bloody Crimes - Witchcraft - an interesting documentary film about witchcraft, its origin and popularity. In English, not subtitled. (24 min, PAL).

• Intrusion - a collection of stills from the film. (2 min, 1080p).

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Independent British distributors Odeon have put together a strong package for Michael Reeves' cult film Witchfinder General. The Blu-ray herein reviewed contains a digitally restored Director's Cut of the film, as well as wealth of very interesting supplemental features. It is also Region-Free. RECOMMENDED.