Witchfinder General (1968)

[Vienna]

Voted by British horror film fans as the second best British horror back in 2006 (behind The Wicker Man), Witchfinder General tells a generally fictionalised tale of the murderous exploits of 17th Century witchfinder Matthew Hopkins, played by a somewhat older Vincent Price, who wreaks havoc by seeking to rid the country of witchcraft during the English Civil War. Roundhead soldier, Richard Marshall (Ian Ogilvy) seeks revenge on him for the torture and rape of his fiancé Sara (Hillary Dwyer) by his assistant John Stern (Robert Russell), and the torture and murder of her father, Brandeston priest John Lowes (Rupert Davies). Sadly, it happens to be 50 years ago this year since director Michael Reeves died of an accidental overdose, just months after this film was released. 

I'm in East Anglia with Alan from the boarding house to have a look at some well-known locations from this dark but brilliant film, and to get one or two Then and Now photos   


Richard Marshall visits the home of his future wife Sara in Brandeston… The gates to the former Rushford College in Rushford, Norfolk

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Richard arrives at the home of Sara and her father John Lowes... The former Rushford College in Rushford, Norfolk. Now a private residence, but I trespassed and got a picture! 

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Richard leaves Brandeston… Looking towards the nearby church of St John the Evangelist from the drive of the former Rushford College

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Vi

[Gene Hunt]

Great stuff Vienna. Marvelous locations. Thanks a lot mate for posting these up. I shall have to get over there myself at some point  

Gene.

[Arthur Pringle]

Great smudges Vienna, one of my favourite films as well. The novel it's based on by Ronald Bassett is very good too.

[Charles Bronson]

Well done Vienna. Great to see these pictures. 'Witchfinder General is a very good film indeed  and it's good to see a post about it.

There was a BBC radio programme about the making of it a few years ago, which I recorded and still have somewhere.
Apparently the director was a good friend of Ian Ogilvy. As I recall he didn't want Vincent in the film and gave him a very hard time, but he was pleased 
With Prices performance as work progressed.
That must be why Vincent is a lot more serious in the film than most of his others


Charles.

[Vienna]

Charles, there was quite an interesting book written by Benjamin Halligan about the making of the film; it also goes into detail about Michael Reeves' difficult relationship with Vincent Price during the making of the movie. 

Vi 

[Cartman]

This is a good film and thanks for the location pictures. I understand some of it was filmed at Lavenham in Suffolk, which hasn't changed at all since the 17th century. 

[Charles Bronson]

May 9, 2019 9:27:27 GMT Vienna said:

Charles, there was quite an interesting book written by Benjamin Halligan about the making of the film; it also goes into detail about Michael Reeves' difficult relationship with Vincent Price during the making of the movie. 

Vi 

That sounds like a book I'd enjoy a lot Vi.

[Vienna]

May 9, 2019 9:47:20 GMT Cartman said:

This is a good film and thanks for the location pictures. I understand some of it was filmed at Lavenham in Suffolk, which hasn't changed at all since the 17th century. 

Yes Cartman, a lovely and historic old market town, where several scenes were filmed. I'll load one or two THEN and NOW smudges very soon... 

Vi

[Sam Tyler]

Great pictures Vienna, thanks for posting 

Good idea to trespass to get the picture, who would suspect that a moggy on their driveway would be taking smudges?

Did the owners put out a plate of tuna and saucer of milk for you?

Back to the film, I remember seeing this a few times over the years as I have done with The Wicker Man. Of the two I think I'd have put WG ahead of The Wicker Man despite Britt Ekland's dance routine. 

My other thoughts are that this, as with many late 60's horror films, felt far more 'atmospheric' than the 70's offerings of the genre.

Sam.

[Dirty Epic]

Great stuff Vi. Thanks for sharing/taking the time to do this now & then!