Witchfinder Genral Blu-ray Review

• 9th Jun 2011

Finally the all time British horror classic is out on Blu-ray which is about as exciting a DVD as we will get this year. Originally released in 1968 this cult classic has become possibly the best and most brutal British Horror film of all time. Having already had lost footage restored on previous releases with wondrous new footage of violent carnage we know finally get to see the stabbings, drowning and torture in glorious high definition.

Michael Reeves made Witchfinder General when he was only 24 years old, sadly though it was his final film following his premature death a year later. Starring the legendary Vincent Price this would later become the film he is most associated with. Witchfinder General is a biopic of the real life witchunter Matthew Hopkins who in two years of work hanged more people for witchcraft than the total amount from previous century.

This film is an absolute masterpiece of British Horror and may be only second to The Wicker Man in the all time list. Anybody who hasn’t experienced this masterpiece needs to rectify that situation as quickly as humanly possible. The Blu-Ray print is exceptional and will make any fan of this film ecstatic with joy once they get to see it. This release though is all about the new excusive extras which are numerous and immense to say the least.

First up we have the feature commentary by Michael Eeeves expert Ben Halligan and Michael Armstrong who made Mark of the Devil which owed a great deal to Witchfinder. Having written the only dedicated book about Michael Reeves, Ben Halligan is about as perfect a choice for the commentary as you could ever want. His conversations with Armstrong are delightfully informed and more than enhance the experience of Witchfinder General.

Then you have a ridiculous amount of documentaries about Reeves, witchcraft and the brilliant inclusion of Vincent Price on the Michael Aspel chat show. On top of this you also get the Michael Reeves short film Intrusion which is another fascinating addition for anyone who thinks Reeves is the greatest ever loss to British Horror. Finally you also get alternate scenes and different opening and closing credits that really are for the true horror geek.

The criterion collection in the USA has set the standard for DVD releases that leave absolutely no room for any fan to complain about print or extras. Odeon have just produced a Bly-Ray release that is without a doubt the definitive release of this amazing film. I cannot imagine that a better version will ever exist and this has future collectable written all over it. Having purchased this film on VHS and then DVD I would be running out to purchase this Blu-Ray on the first day of release. Britain has a legendary legacy of Horror from Hammer to Amicus to the recent renaissance. Witchfinder General is simply one of the greatest horror films ever made and this new release is enough to bring tears of joy to my eyes.

Aled Jones