MoTM October '10: Witchfinder General (1968)

[CT]

(Selected by SeventhSeal17)

This 1968 Film was directed by Michael Reeves and stars Vincent Price.

[GL]

A 4 with restrictions: I don't have it as The Witchfinder General in my collection, I have the heavily-edited version The Conqueror Worm in my collection which is missing a lot of time (I think the original UK version is 96 minutes, while I managed to tape my version in a full 90 minute TV broadcast time, so it's shorter than that) so I can't say mine's an official version.

[HNT]

I also had that version, GL, but I ordered the DVD version above when Seventh selected it, because I knew I'd be more than happy owning it. Anyway, I am going to hold off voting until I watch the most complete and unedited version that I currently have.

[Jen]

They have this on Netflix instant play, but I just checked and it says its only 86 minutes. So I guess I should order the DVD as well.

[HNT]

Don't know if you'e seen it yet, JEn, but it definitely is a terrific movie. You won't be disappointed if you just go ahead and buy it.

[GL]

I know how badly I want to see that version, HNT, but the problem I have is that there's no way for me to get it right now. I don't buy online, and I've never seen it as a stand-alone DVD in the store, it's always in that MGM Vincent Price Horror Legacy box set or something, which is usually about $40 and I don't have that kind of dough laying around. It's definitely something I'd love to get my hands on, but it's just out of my price range at the moment.

[HNT]

The uncut version is no big deal. This is not a graphically violent or sexual film by today's standards (though I suppose it was in 1968). there is some topless nudity missing from the edited version, but I think that's about it.

Also, a bit of researdch indicates that the full cut of this film appears to be 87 minutes approximately, so the version on Netflix might be the whole thing, JEn. The edited Conqueror Worm US version that you have, GL, is 82 minutes. There is no 96 minute version. That was an error made in Leonard Maltin's film guide that people have been running with for years in error. Again you are more than qualified to comment whether or not you saw the unedited version with some tame nudity or the edited version that uses angles that obscure the nipple and cut a few silly scenes. This is not an explicit film. Its plot driven in the extreme

[The Walking Dude]

Just in response to the time difference, being British the extended time would be most likely in PAL format, but the shorter version in NTSC. NTSC runs at a slightly faster speed.There is always plenty of conjecture on our local forums about run times and cut/uncut versions.

[CT]

Haven't seen this one yet but it looks interesting. I'll order it when I get paid at the end of the week.

[Jen]

Oct 4, 2010 13:49:54 GMT -5 HNT said:

Don't know if you'e seen it yet, JEn, but it definitely is a terrific movie. You won't be disappointed if you just go ahead and buy it.

No I haven't seen it yet, but I am sure I would like to own it. I will probably watch it on Netflix though to make sure I actually see it this month since Deep Discount has been so slow lately. Not sure what is going on there.

[GL]

Oct 5, 2010 15:13:02 GMT -5 HNT said:

Also, a bit of researdch indicates that the full cut of this film appears to be 87 minutes approximately, so the version on Netflix might be the whole thing, Jen. The edited Conqueror Worm US version that you have, GL, is 82 minutes. There is no 96 minute version. That was an error made in Leonard Maltin's film guide that people have been running with for years in error. Again you are more than qualified to comment whether or not you saw the unedited version with some tame nudity or the edited version that uses angles that obscure the nipple and cut a few silly scenes. This is not an explicit film. Its plot driven in the extreme

Still, I have the 82 minute film taped, but I haven't seen the 86 minute one. Like you, I can't officially say I've seen the full cut of this one.

[abraxas]

Every Vincent Price horror film can be downloaded in Torrent form

[The Walking Dude]

This one doesn't quite gel with me,I mean one of the reasons I dig Mr Price so much is his status as anti hero in most of his films,his campy over the top style making him the villain you love to hate. Unfortunately, in this one, you are meant to just hate, and that doesn't sit well with me.

[GL]

Oct 7, 2010 13:28:21 GMT -5 @abraxas said:

Every Vincent Price horror film can be downloaded in Torrent form

And remember, I'm on a friend's computer, not my own. I'd have to wait until I get my own back before I can do that.

[HNT]

Oct 8, 2010 7:04:36 GMT -5 The Walking Dude said:

This one doesn't quite gel with me,I mean one of the reasons I dig Mr Price so much is his status as anti hero in most of his films,his campy over the top style making him the villain you love to hate. Unfortunately, in this one, you are meant to just hate, and that doesn't sit well with me.

Interesting, I think that is what I like best about it. This is the film in which Price proves that he was more than just a ham. He was capable of giving a more sophisticated performance when the work required and was worthy of it.