15. Matthew Hopkins - Witchfinder General (1968)
Definitely the high point of Vincent Price's acting career, Witchfinder General is one of the best British horror films ever made and that is largely due to Price's steely turn as the Witchfinder Matthew Hopkins. The film is set during the English Civil War and law and order are in a state of flux. This allows Hopkins and his odious assistant John Stearne to roam around the beautiful English countryside, persecuting 'witches' and burning them. A pair of young lovers - Richard and Sara get caught up in Hopkins' evil web. John Lowes, Sara's uncle and village priest, is captured by Hopkins and horribly tortured. Sara promises Hopkins sexual favours in return for leaving Lowes alone. Called away on business, Hopkins leaves Stearne in charge and Stearne promptly rapes Sara. When Hopkins comes back, he kills John Lowes. Richard also comes back to the village, he is utterly appalled at Hopkin's misdeeds and goes to seek revenge. Hopkins deems both Richard and Sara 'witches' and takes them to a castle where he tortures them. Richard refuses to confess and manages to escape his bonds just as the army storm the castle. Richard lays into Hopkins with an axe, mutilating but not killing him. A soldier puts Hopkins out of his misery with a gunshot but an enraged Richard shouts: "You took him from me! You took him from me!" And Sara just screams and screams. A chilly end to an icy cold movie
Clare Simpson
Contributor
My first film watched was Carrie aged 2 on my dad's knee. Educated at The University of St Andrews and Trinity College Dublin. Fan of Arthouse, Exploitation, Horror, Euro Trash, Giallo, New French Extremism. Weaned at the bosom of a Russ Meyer starlet. The bleaker, artier or sleazier the better!
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Clare