Witchfinder General

BFI Moviedrome (July-August) Introduced by Reece Shearsmith who provided some hilarious anecdotes about star Ian Ogilvy and the somewhat tumultuous relationship between Vincent Price and director Michael Reeves. Shearsmith’s introduction was nothing short of Brilliant.  Witchfinder General ranks among Tigon’s best in my opinion. It’s subtle beauty and design allow for the film to never have a dull visual moment. The way they used the countryside colour is superb and makes the film a real visual treat.  Shearsmith mentioned how Vincent Price was not the first choice to play Matthew Hopkins yet I simply can’t see anyone else in the role. He’s delightfully sinister and exudes menace through a simple stare. Sure he’s slightly too old to play the real Hopkins, but the quality of his performance makes you forget.  Ian Ogilvy. That is all.