Witchfinder General (1968)
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- Unrated
- 1h 26min
- Drama, Horror
- 17 May 1968 (USA)
- Movie
A young soldier seeks to put an end to the evils caused by a vicious witch-hunter when the latter terrorizes his fiancée and kills her uncle.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 1 win & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Vincent Price | ... |
Matthew Hopkins
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| Ian Ogilvy | ... |
Richard Marshall
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| Rupert Davies | ... |
John Lowes
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| Patrick Wymark | ... |
Cromwell
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| Wilfrid Brambell | ... |
Master Loach
(as Wilfred Brambell)
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| Hilary Heath | ... |
Sara
(as Hilary Dwyer)
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| Robert Russell | ... |
John Stearne
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| Nicky Henson | ... |
Trooper Swallow
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| Tony Selby | ... |
Salter
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Michael Beint | ... |
Captain Gordon
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| Bernard Kay | ... |
Fisherman
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Beaufoy Milton | ... |
Priest
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John Trenaman | ... |
Trooper Harcourt
(as John Treneman)
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| Bill Maxwell | ... |
Gifford
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Peter Thomas | ... |
Farrier
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| Maggie Kimberly | ... |
Elizabeth
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Dennis Thorne | ... |
Villager
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| Ann Tirard | ... |
Old Woman
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| Gillian Aldam | ... |
Young Woman in Cell
(as Gillian Aldham)
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| Hira Talfrey | ... |
Hanged Woman
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Jack Lynn | ... |
Brandeston Innkeeper
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| Michael Segal | ... |
Villager
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David Webb | ... |
Jailer
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Sally Douglas | ... |
Girl at Inn
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Edward Palmer | ... |
Shepherd
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Lee Peters | ... |
Sergeant
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Peter Haigh | ... |
Lavenham Magistrate
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| Godfrey James | ... |
Webb
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| Margaret Nolan | ... |
Girl at Inn
(as Maggie Nolan)
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Philip Waddilove | ... |
Soldier
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Toby Lenon | ... |
Old Man
(as Toby Lennon)
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Paul Ferris | ... |
Paul
(as Morris Jar)
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David Lyell | ... |
Footsoldier
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| Alf Joint | ... |
Sentry
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Martin Terry | ... |
Hoxne Innkeeper
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Derek Ware | ... |
Boy at Hoxne Inn
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| John Kidd | ... |
Magistrate
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Susi Field | ... |
Girl at Inn
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Donna Reading | ... |
Girl at Inn
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Tasma Bereton | ... |
Girl at Inn (uncredited)
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Sally Geeson | ... |
Maid (uncredited)
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David Reynolds-Lacey | ... |
Unconscious Drunk in Tavern (uncredited)
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Sandy Seagar | ... |
Girl at Inn (uncredited)
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Ronald Soar | ... |
Villager (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Michael Reeves | ||
Written by
| Tom Baker | ... | (screenplay) and |
| Michael Reeves | ... | (screenplay) |
| Louis M. Heyward | ... | (additional scenes) |
| Ronald Bassett | ... | (novel) |
| Edgar Allan Poe | ... | (poem "The Conqueror Worm") (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Samuel Z. Arkoff | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| Louis M. Heyward | ... | producer |
| Arnold L. Miller | ... | producer (as Arnold Miller) |
| James H. Nicholson | ... | executive producer (uncredited) |
| Tony Tenser | ... | executive producer |
| Philip Waddilove | ... | producer |
Music by
| Paul Ferris | ||
Cinematography by
| John Coquillon | ... | (photographed by) |
Editing by
| Howard Lanning | ||
Editorial Department
| Marion Curren | ... | assistant editor |
| Jonathan Morris | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Freddie Vale | ||
Art Direction by
| Jim Morahan | ||
Makeup Department
| Dorrie Hamilton | ... | makeup artist (as Dore Hamilton) |
| Henry Montsash | ... | hairdresser |
Production Management
| Ricky Coward | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Ian Goddard | ... | assistant director |
| Iain Lawrence | ... | assistant director |
Art Department
| Dennis Cantell | ... | construction manager |
| Sid Davies | ... | props |
| Freddie Harrison | ... | props (as Fred Harrison) |
| Jimmy James | ... | set dresser |
| Peter Sheilds | ... | assistant art director (as Peter Shields) |
| Peter Joyce | ... | draughtsman (uncredited) |
| Andrew Low | ... | set dresser (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Dennis Lanning | ... | dubbing editor |
| Paul Le Mare | ... | sound recordist |
| Hugh Strain | ... | sound mixer |
| Helena Lanning | ... | foley artist (uncredited) |
| Alan Lavender | ... | sound transfer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Roger Dicken | ... | special effects |
Stunts
| Gillian Aldam | ... | stunt double: Maggie Kimberly (uncredited) / stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Gerry Anstiss | ... | camera operator (as Gerry Anstice) |
| Tony Breeze | ... | camera assistant |
| Jack Dooley | ... | still photographer |
| Brian Elvin | ... | camera operator |
| Chris Reynolds | ... | camera assistant |
| Laurie Shane | ... | gaffer |
| Freddie Williams | ... | grip |
| Bob Bremner | ... | best boy (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Jill Thompson | ... | wardrobe (as Jill Thomson) |
Location Management
| Euan Pearson | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Paul Ferris | ... | conductor |
| Kenneth V. Jones | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
| Kendall Schmidt | ... | composer: US video release (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Lorna Selwyn | ... | continuity |
Additional Crew
| Jack Dawe | ... | publicist (as Jack Daw) |
| Pat Rambaut | ... | production secretary (as Pat O'Donnell) |
| Tony Tenser | ... | presenter / director of additional scenes: export version (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Tigon Pictures (1968) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- American International Pictures (AIP) (1968) (United States) (theatrical)
- Alpha (II) (1969) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- Fram Film (1968) (Norway) (theatrical)
- JO-EL (1968) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Variety Film Production (1968) (Italy) (theatrical) (dubbed)
- Glori Art (1970) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Hafbo (1970) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Sofilmes (1971) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Blake Films (1972) (Australia) (theatrical)
- American-International Television (AIP-TV) (1972) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- VPS Video (1980) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Orion Home Video (1985) (United States) (VHS)
- VCL (1984) (Australia) (video)
- Target International (1987) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Castle Pictures (1990) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Castle Vision (1991) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (1991) (United States) (video) (laserdisc) (with "The Tomb of Ligeia")
- BBC Two (1992) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Redemption Films (1995) (United Kingdom) (VHS) (as Redemption Video)
- Orion Home Video (1997) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1998) (Finland) (tv)
- Cinema Club (2000) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- BBC One (2002) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Metrodome Distribution (2002) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Prism Leisure Corporation (2003) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2003) (Australia) (DVD)
- Ascot Elite Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD) (cut version)
- Paradiso Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (Canada) (DVD)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- Showbox Media Group (2007) (United Kingdom) (video)
- Odeon Entertainment (2012) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2013) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Shout! Factory (2013) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- '84 Entertainment (2015) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- '84 Entertainment (2016) (Germany) (DVD)
- Cinema Mondo (2018) (Finland) (theatrical)
- The Horror Channel (2019) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Scream Factory (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2021) (Finland) (tv) (also Internet)
- Cinefear (United States) (VHS)
- Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (United States) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Ministry of Defence (for their kind co-operation in the making of this film, the producers wish to thank the following: )
- The Headquarters Staff Stanford Practical Training Area (for their kind co-operation in the making of this film, the producers wish to thank the following: )
- The Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment (for their kind co-operation in the making of this film, the producers wish to thank the following: )
- The Lavenham Parish Council (for their kind co-operation in the making of this film, the producers wish to thank the following: )
- De Wolfe Music (music publisher)
- Lee Lighting (grip and lighting equipment)
- Olympic Studios (music recording)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
England is torn in civil strife as the Royalists battle the Parliamentary Party for control. This conflict distracts people from rational thought and allows unscrupulous men to gain local power by exploiting village superstitions. One of these men is Matthew Hopkins, who tours the land offering his services as a persecutor of witches. Aided by his sadistic accomplice John Stearne, he travels from city to city and wrenches confessions from "witches" in order to line his pockets and gain sexual favors. When Hopkins persecutes a priest, he incurs the wrath of Richard Marshall, who is engaged to the priest's niece. Risking treason by leaving his military duties, Marshall relentlessly pursues the evil Hopkins and his minion Stearne.
Written by Ed Sutton |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The Year's Most Violent Film! [UK Theatrical] See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Box Office
| Budget | $175,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Vincent Price regarded his performance here as the finest of his horror movie career. See more » |
| Goofs | There are several references to the value of payments in 'guineas'. However, the gold coin of that name was not minted until 1663, eighteen years after the film was set. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Conqueror Worm (1973). See more » |
| Quotes |
Matthew Hopkins:
Men sometimes have strange motives for the things they do. See more » |