Witchfinder General: Michael Reeves

One of the most famous characteristics of the legendary Vincent Price was his ability to combine horror with high camp in his performances.  However, upon occasion Price would drop the pretense of camp and deliver performances that were genuinely chilling and disturbing.  One of the most famous examples was Michael Reeves Witchfinder General.  A heavily fictionalized account of the life of Matthew Hopkins, one of 17th century Great Britain's most famous and deadly witch-hunters, Witchfinder General is not standard Vincent Price fare.  There is no laughter in his eyes, no coy smile shining through the screen towards the audience.  Price is a true monster.  The film follows Matthew Hopkins as he traverses the English countryside, randomly accusing and executing people for witchcraft.  He eventually draws the hatred and vengeance of a Roundhead soldier, a supporter of the Parliament during the English Civil War, after raping his bride-to-be.  The film technically follows the Roundhead and his wife, but Vincent Price steals the show.  It's a shame that Prince didn't do more serious dramatic work...Witchfinder General proves that there was sincere, yet terrifying, talent behind the king of pulp.

8/10