Witchfinder General is a title that I have seen on DVD wish lists, and in any discussion of Vincent Price. Since its release in 1968, the film has gathered quite the cult following and had much praise heaped upon it.

What does that mean to those of us who are unfamiliar with it? Well, the big thing is the hype that is built up in your head, which leads to high expectations. Cases like this are almost assured of being a letdown. It is a no-win situation as few movies actually live up to all the hype. That said, Witchfinder General is definitely a good movie — just be sure to keep your expectations in check.

The film is based on a novel by Ronald Bassett, which is based on real events and a real person. I know that much of it is fictionalized, but this is no bio-pic. The setting is realistic; there is nothing terribly unbelievable, save for some unconvincing dialogue and performances. It is set in England in 1645, a time of unrest as Civil War is raging between Cromwell and his Roundheads and King Charles' Royalists. This unrest has left much of the land without any truly organized law and order. Much of the company had strong Christian faith and the uncertain times led to those beliefs and fears being exploited.

Matthew Hopkins was one of those men doing the exploiting. Hopkins was a failed lawyer who turned to ferreting out witches for money. He came to be known as Witchfinder General due to his expertise at eliciting confessions from these idolaters. This nefarious character is at the center of Witchfinder General, a truly disconcerting film when you realize that these acts are not that far removed from reality.

The opening scene sees a gallows pole in the final stages of its erection, as a crowd, led  in prayer by a priest, approaches with a bound and screaming woman. There is no talk, aside from the praying, as they put her on a stool, place the rope around her neck and kick out the stool. As the woman hangs, the crowd turns and moves back towards the town. The camera zooms in on a lone figure in the background. Matthew Hopkins watches on coldly as the woman swings. The credits then come up over grainy, black and white photos of women with pained faces.

The story shifts to a trio who will become forever entwined with Hopkins. In essence, their fate is sealed before they even meet. Richard Marshall (Ian Ogilvy) is one of Cromwell's men. After saving his commanding officer from a Royalist, he heads to his home town of Brandeston to visit his fiancée, Sarah (Hilary Dwyer). She is staying there with her uncle, John Lowes (Rupert Davies), the town priest. The visit ends with Marshall leaving town. On the way he crosses paths with Hopkins (Vincent Price) and his partner John Stearne (Robert Russell). Upon asking, he learns that Hopkins has been called to the town to investigate allegations of witchcraft. Oh fateful day — Marshall will regret not questioning further.