Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 3, 2024

Michael Reeves' "Witchfinder General" a.k.a. "The Conqueror Worm" (1968) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new audio commentary by critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan; exclusive new program with actor Ian Ogilvy; exclusive new program with editor Howard Lanning and assistant editor Marion Curren; vintage trailers; and more. In English, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

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, Witchfinder General arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films.

The release introduces new 4K restorations of two versions of Witchfinder General, which are also available on 4K Blu-ray. You can see our listing and review of 88 Films' 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo packhere.

I viewed the entire 4K makeover of the British version in native 4K. However, I spent a lot of time with its 1080p presentation as well. I think that the new 4K makeover offers a pretty dramatic upgrade in quality over the original release of the film that Odeon Entertainment produced in 2011. Detail, clarity, and depth are consistently better, and all visuals appear a lot healthier. Color reproduction and balance are outstanding as well. In fact, just the improved color reproduction introduces some pretty substantial upgrades in the dynamic range of the visuals that are easy to appreciate in native 4K and 1080p. I prefer how some darker areas look in 1080p, but the native 4K presentation is still very impressive. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Image stability is excellent. The entire film looks immaculate as well. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release presents two versions of the film, British and U.S. Each version can be viewed with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. These tracks are different. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The comments below are from our review of the 4K Blu-ray release of Witchfinder General.

I viewed the British version of the film in its entirety. I only sampled the U.S. version. On my system, the lossless track sounded very healthy and stable. The music sounded clear and balanced as well. I did not notice any issues in the upper register, where older films typically reveal weaknesses. Unlike Odeon Entertainment's release, this release offers optional English SDH subtitles, so folks that need them will be pleased.

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan. It is included on the uncut UK version of the film.

• Back on the Horse - in this exclusive new program, actor Ian Ogilvy recalls how he became involved with Witchfinder General and discusses its production, Vincent's Price's performance, the film's reception and lasting appeal, etc. In English, not subtitled. (23 min).

• Which Witch is Which? - in this exclusive new program, critic Adam Scovell discusses Witchfinder General as well as some of the history that is recreated in it. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

• The Editing of Witchfinder General - in this exclusive new program, assistant editor Marion Curren recalls her interactions with Michael Reeves and some of the work that was done during the editing of Witchfinder General. Editor Howard Lanning also comments on some of the production troubles, including the initial plan to have Donald Pleasence play Matthew Hopkins, and Vincent Price's difficult interactions with Reeves. In English, not subtitled. (33 min).

• Alternate U.S. Version Scenes - presented fully restored. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Trailer One - presented here is a UK theatrical trailer for the film. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Trailer Two - presented here is a U.S. theatrical trailer for the film. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Cover - reversible cover with vintage poster art for the Witchfinder General.

• Booklet - 30-oage illustrated booklet with writings on Witchfinder General and techncial credits.

Witchfinder General Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The new 4K restoration of Michael Reeves' cult film Witchfinder General is a genuine stunner. It looks striking in native 4K and 1080p, but I prefer the 1080p presentation. If you wish to view the 4K restoration in native 4K, you can pick up for your library this 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack. However, keep in mind that only the 4K Blu-ray disc is Region-Free. The Blu-ray disc is Region-B "locked". The folks at 88 Films have provided a good selection of exclusive new bonus features as well. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.