Witchfinder General
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Movie Reviews of Witchfinder General
Movie Review: On DVD at last but still not uncut
Summary: 3 Stars
I live in England, where there has been a (Region 2) DVD now in release for a few years that features a number of bonuses as well as two different versions of the film. One is described as being a "tamer" version for the folks in the UK, while the other version is described as the "export" version featuring scenes that were originally deemed too strong back in 1968 for the supposedly more genteel market locally speaking. Well, before you get too hopeful, the export version features some simply and crudely pasted on bits-and-pieces that for the most part were always available in the U.S. on both t.v. and VHS video. The only possible exceptions are a couple of brief bare-breasted scenes. The torture scenes were simply (and noticeably) pasted in, but were always available to U.S. viewers. The video and audio quality of these "restored" scenes are also poor. This so-called special edition here in the UK is usually a staple of most supermarket's bargain bins. Beware. I applaud MGM/UA Home video for finally bringing the film to DVD, but the running time is still around twelve minutes short of the original uncut version which purports to exist somewhere in the world today. Until or if-and-when this version ever sees the light of day, I guess we can hope for no better.Movie Review: Vincent Price Fan
Summary: 3 Stars
I love Vincent Price Movies.
He was truly a talented actor who could effortlessly scare the stuffing out of you.
Sadly this is not one of his better films
It is however a great study of mob mentality & how fear can make you turn on friends and loved ones.
The stand out actor was Mr.Price
His characterzation of "The Witchfinder General" was a pitch perfect depiction of a greedy self serving amoral pompus individual capable of doing anything to further his own desires.
Movie Review: Good!...but, not that great
Summary: 3 Stars
Even though, im a huge fan of Vincent Price. Witchfinder General wasn't one of his best films. How this got listed as "horror" i'll never know...but, with Price's name on it and its a "Poe" thing, it was "OK" in most parts. Trust me, there are wayyyy better Price/Poe addaption type films than this one..this wasn't it for me. A rental at best!Movie Review: Not worth 4+ stars
Summary: 2 Stars
Seriously, this movie is not worth the more than 3 stars many people give it. Yes, give credit to Price for playing a vile character sans the usual "camp" factor, but that praise on its own makes neither his acting nor the whole of this film great. I found myself fast forwarding through several sections that would have offered nothing more if I let them play at normal speed. This type of "self-editing" we do on occasion with movies at home just goes to show some professional editing should have been done in the first place. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it should have been edited to the degree of a whole new film, that would better serve Price's resume and our viewing pleasure.
Some complain they don't know how this is categorized as "horror" -- I don't know where or if it is, but I don't think it was intended to be. Although the Witchmaker General does inspire TERROR amongst those he chooses to target for torture and the stake. That being said, I did miss the usual lavish, rich, and gothic sets from Price's Poe-inspired movies.
This movie is a one-timer for viewing.
Movie Review: Overrated Bomb
Summary: 1 Stars
Wow. This was nothing like I expected- having read many positive reviews in many places.
Vincent Price is wasted and appears uninvested in the project. Excessive screen time is thrown away on endless chases on horseback. The incredibly thin plot just goes round and round in circles. There is the barest shred of motivation for Price's character. And what there is is muddled and confused.
And WHY is a priest practically encouraging an unwed couple to fornicate under his roof? So the film can have a love-making scene? The often lovely, backlit by-the-sun location footage is marred by an incredibly generic "sweeping romantic" score. (albeit typical of the period)
Climactic scenes are robbed of impact by poorly-executed physical effects (especially the so-obvious-it's-painful use of a back-board during a violent assault.
I do feel the film has two things going for it- an incredibly a-typical downbeat & thought-provoking ending, and Wilfrid Brambell's cameo (which he obviously could've done in his sleep, but it benefits from being sandwiched between boring nonsense).
Anyway, I dove for my discs of THEATER OF BLOOD and THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES to wipe this from my fond film memories of vincent Price.