steveo122 I didn't want to. I had been a Vincent Price/horror fan, at that time, all my life and this put a serious dent in my 'innocent' enjoyment of 'scary movies'. As there is no 'witchcraft' or any supernatural element, the 'horror' is based on human cruelty/brutality, which I still contend is distinct from 'horror'. In fact, I can see this being described/credited/blamed as the granddaddy/progenitor of the brutal/cruel branch-off that supposed horror movies subsequently took. However, if horror movies are judged on the level of dread for what's coming, then fine... Even now, despite the datedness of the production (obvious red paint blood), the script is not bad and it is still possibly one of the cruelest movies made. Price's work as a 'highly fictionalized' real life person is one of his evil best.

Torson Falcradine Shown on 31 October 2015 on BBC2 what is impressive is that this movie has stood the test of time. Not only is it beautifully made but also sees Vincent Price excelling.Based on a true story the historical facts are adhered to and it is hard to imagine this movie was made for less than £100,000.This is a stunning low budget film. Vincent Price is excellent and Ian Ogilvy also gets a chance to excel with his dashing persona. Sad to think that the director Michael Reeves committed suicide within a year of the films release after well known spats with Vincent Price.The photography is beautiful though not particularly good quality. Costumes and sets are very authentic as are the location scenes.Having not heard Vincent Price for quite some while now it is refreshing to hear his stilted diction and takes me back to his films of the 70's

a_baron Little is known of the real Matthew Hopkins, although when he died August 12, 1647 he was not yet thirty, less than half the age of the actor chosen to play him here, but Vincent Price built his career on horror films in which he played bad guys as well as good ones. Price was at his peak when this film was made, and such was his screen presence that his age was no more a barrier than his faintly discernible American accent. Although this film was of course made as a commercial venture, it was clearly intended to make a social point, one that appears to have been ignored dismally in view of the witch-hunts we have seen since its release: Cleveland, Rochdale and latterly "Operation Yewtree" on this side of the Atlantic; McMartin and Bakersfield on the other side. Among others.Undoubtedly "Witchfinder General" includes a fair amount of poetic licence; the real Matthew Hopkins died a natural death after writing a book about his dark profession. It is also unlikely he used his position to trade the sexual favours of comely wenches, but if you ever had any doubts as to how low a human being can sink in the service of the state, this film is as good a reminder as any.

Lucabrasisleeps I think I may have seen it with the wrong expectations since I have an interest in old style British atmospheric horror. But what I got was a bleak historical movie which is not visually very impressive. But as a depiction of the witch huntings and the general mood at that time, this movie does have an impact. But still, now could it be considered a masterpiece? I am not so sure. Vincent price is good as the cruel witchfinder. Hilary heath is gorgeous and is pretty good as the tragic heroine of the movie. There are some torture sequences but I guess in the current day, they are mostly tame but they got the vibe right. There is a sad depressing vibe throughout the movie and that resonates in the torture sequences as well. Gore lovers might want to look elsewhere though. The movie moves in predictable directions but still it was interesting to watch the various detailed signs and frankly, excuses to kill the women. Maybe the witchfinder himself was a highly religious man who had issues with his own desires. Vincent price portrays him as an opportunist but maybe in reality he was just a highly religious man who still had his weaknesses. And he hated being weak and that would the source of his hatred for women. It is mostly a regular revenge torture film and a wholly bleak look at the times. The ending is good as well I thought and there couldn't be any justice or happiness anyway. Since too much blood had been shed and too many lives were lost. But maybe that was the cathartic release necessary for the lead characters. I thought it was OK. 6/10