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Witchfinder General

Name: Witchfinder General
Genre: Drama, History, Horror
Released: 1968-05-17
Cast: Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, Robert Russell, Nicky Henson, Hilary Dwyer

1968 | 87 min | Drama, History, Horror

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for horror fans and history buffs. If you loved The Beguiled or Fear Street: 1994, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Scary.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 27 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1968: an older pace and style.
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

England, 1645. The cruel civil war between Royalists and Parliamentarians that is ravaging the country causes an era of chaos and legal arbitrariness that allows unscrupulous men to profit by exploiting the absurd superstitions of the peasants; like Matthew Hopkins, a monster disguised as a man who wanders from town to town offering his services as a witch hunter.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesSolid
6.5 out of 10
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerWeak
$2 million worldwide on a $83K budget
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 91K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Michael Reeves

Vincent PriceMatthew Hopkins
Ian OgilvyRichard Marshall
Robert RussellJohn Stearne
Nicky HensonSwallow
Hilary DwyerSara
Rupert DaviesJohn Lowes
Patrick WymarkCromwell
Wilfrid BrambellMaster Loach
Tony SelbySalter
Michael BeintCaptain Gordon