The Conqueror Worm (1968)

A young soldier seeks to put an end to the evils caused by a vicious witch hunter.

Director:

Michael Reeves

Writers:

Tom Baker (screenplay), Michael Reeves (screenplay)

Stars:

Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, Rupert Davies

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Price	...	Matthew Hopkins
Ian Ogilvy	...	Richard Marshall
Rupert Davies	...	John Lowes
Hilary Heath	...	Sara (as Hilary Dwyer)
Robert Russell	...	John Stearne
Nicky Henson	...	Swallow
Tony Selby	...	Salter
Bernard Kay	...	Fisherman
Godfrey James	...	Webb
Michael Beint	...	Captain Gordon
John Trenaman	...	Harcourt (as John Treneman)
Bill Maxwell	...	Gifford
Paul Ferris	...	Paul (as Morris Jar)
Maggie Kimberly	...	Elizabeth
Peter Haigh	...	Lavenham Magistrate

Storyline

England is torn in civil strife as the Royalists battle the Parliamentary Party for control. This conflict distracts people from rational thought and allows unscrupulous men to gain local power by exploiting village superstitions. One of these men is Matthew Hopkins, who tours the land offering his services as a persecutor of witches. Aided by his sadistic accomplice John Stearne, he travels from city to city and wrenches confessions from "witches" in order to line his pockets and gain sexual favors. When Hopkins persecutes a priest, he incurs the wrath of Richard Marshall, who is engaged to the priest's niece. Risking treason by leaving his military duties, Marshall relentlessly pursues the evil Hopkins and his minion Stearne.

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Plot Keywords:

17th century | priest | niece | village | witch | 

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Taglines:

LEAVE THE CHILDREN AT HOME...If YOU are squeamish stay home with them!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Horror | War

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 April 1969 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

The Conqueror Worm

Filming Locations:

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$175,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tigon British Film Productions, American International Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Reeves' final film, shot September 18-November 13 1967. One year later, Reeves was replaced by Gordon Hessler on "The Oblong Box," and died early in 1969.

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Goofs

When the Witchfinder's assistant meets up with him shortly after the burning, a modern plastic drainpipe can be seen on a building behind. Also during the burning, a few TV aerials can briefly be seen on some roofs.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[United States Conqueror Worm versions]
Matthew Hopkins: [voiceover] LO! 't is a gala night/Within the lonesome latter years./An angel throng, bewinged, bedight/In veils, and drowned in tears,/Sit in a theatre to see/A play of hopes and fears,/While the orchestra breathes fitfully/The music of the spheres."

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Connections

Featured in The Art of Fear (2007)

User Reviews

Genuine horror, from a film that's NOT a horror film!

I have a copy of Witchfinder General from many years ago. Recently, whilst re-organising my collection, I happened upon it and watched it once more. This film still manages to induce general feelings of horror on account of its violence, even though it is not really a 'horror' film as such. Watch it for its superb cinematography which lends it an appearance of freshness that belies its 35 years. It still looks as if it could have been made yesterday. Some of the more violent scenes will make you squirm. The cruelty of the period portrayed can only be imagined and the cheapness of life comes across as truly shocking. Vincent Price is excellent as Hopkins (though maybe a bit 'mature' to portray him, since he was witchfinding in his late twenties and died in his early thirties). To think that this evil man really existed and operated unchecked for several years leaves one cold. A minor masterpiece that all lovers of the macabre should enjoy.