20 Cult British Films You Need To See Before You Die

5. Witchfinder General (1968)

Matthew Hopkins is an opportunistic sadist who has taken advantage of the collapse of English civilisation (the film is set during the Civil War) to pursue witch hunting in East Anglia. Slaughtering folk for the flimsiest reasons, Hopkins is assisted in his endeavours by the odious John Stearne. A young couple called Richard and Sara become entangled in Hopkin's sinister machinations and find themselves declared to be witches. Can anyone stop Hopkin's rule of terror? A steely cold performance from Vincent Price is the film's strongest point. He resists the urge to be hammy and instead gives a chilling portrait of a dyed in the wool psychopath. He and director Michael Reeves clashed on set frequently, but Price admitted that it was worth it due to the excellent performance Reeves coaxed from him. The English countryside has never looked so beautiful and the shocking end to the film - "You took him from me! You took him from me!" will make icicles form on your back.