WITCHFINDER GENERAL (1968)
WITCHFINDER GENERAL (1968)
Type Feature
Approx. Running minutes 83
Release dates 01/09/2003, 22/10/2001, 06/03/2000, 27/11/1995, 01/01/1992, 23/03/1990
BBFCInsight Contains strong violence and execution scenes
Genre(s) Horror, Drama
Director(s) Michael Reeves
Cast includes Vincent Price, Ian Ogilvy, Rupert Davies, Patrick Wymark, Hilary Dwyer, Wilfrid Brambell, Robert Russell, Nicky Henson, Tony Selby, Bernard Kay, Godfrey James, Michael Beint, John Treneman, Bill Maxwell, Morris Jar, Maggie Kimberly, Philip Waddilove
Cut versions One or more versions of this work have been cut. Cuts are detailed for each respective version found under "Related works".
BBFCinsight publication date 04/10/2013
Note: The following text may contain spoilers
WITCHFINDER GENERAL is a British historical horror drama, made in 1968, about the witch hunts led by Matthew Hopkins during the English Civil War. It was originally classified X for cinema release in 1968 (meaning no persons under 16 would be admitted to screenings). It was subsequently classified 18 for video release in 1987 and then 15 for DVD release in 2007. This cinema re-release is also rated 15 for strong violence and execution scenes.
Hopkins and his men torture and interrogate several people who they accuse of being witches. We see a woman being gripped around the throat as she is interrogated, as well as a small knife being stuck into flesh. Some blood is shown but with no focus on injuries. Elsewhere in the film, people are dunked into water. The focus is on the psychological nature of the torture, rather than on physical detail.
There are several execution scenes, including hangings and a woman being burned at the stake. These scenes feature a strong sense of threat, and brief sight of the dead bodies. However, as with the torture scenes, the focus is on people being terrorised rather than on physical or visual detail.
There is some strong violence, including a man being hit several times with an axe. There is some blood on his clothes, but no clear sight of any injuries.
Further issues include mild bad language, such as 'bastard' and 'bitch', and a sex scene where the focus is on a couple's faces as they kiss and roll around in bed, with nudity implied but not shown in any detail.
No-one younger than 15 may see a 15 rated film in the cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video or DVD.
Details
- Title
- WITCHFINDER GENERAL
- Also known as
- THE CONQUEROR WORMEDGAR ALLAN POE'S CONQUEROR WORMMATTHEW HOPKINS: WITCHFINDER GENERAL
- Year
- 1968
- Formats
- DVD, Cinema
- Distributor(s)
- Metrodome Distribution,Target International,Showbox Media Group Ltd,Redemption Films Ltd,Prism Leisure Corp PLC,Cinema Club,Castle Vision,Castle Pictures Ltd,BFI Films
- Classified date(s)
- 04/10/2013
- Main language
- English
- BBFC reference
- AZF042868
Related work
Feature
| Title | Type | Runtime | Cut | Distributor | Date | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Video | 81m 40s | Showbox Media Group Ltd | 14/03/2007 |  15 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL [Director's cut] | Video | 82m 43s | Prism Leisure Corp PLC | 18/08/2003 |  18 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Video | 82m 40s | Metrodome Distribution | 02/01/2002 | 18 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Video | 82m 42s | Metrodome Distribution | 02/01/2002 | 18 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Video | 82m 28s | Cinema Club | 29/02/2000 | 18 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Video | 82m 28s | Redemption Films Ltd | 22/12/1995 | 18 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Video | 81m 2s | Castle Vision | 30/12/1991 | 18 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Video | 81m 2s | Castle Pictures Ltd | 09/03/1990 | 18 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Video | 81m 18s | Target International | 07/07/1987 | 18 |
|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Film | Y | 26/04/1968 |  X |
||
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | Film | 86m 41s | BFI Films | 04/10/2013 | 15 |
Trailer
| Title | Type | Runtime | Cut | Distributor | Date | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | 2m 25s | Prism Leisure Corp PLC | 26/06/2003 |  12 |
||
| WITCHFINDER GENERAL | VideoTrailer | 2m 25s | Metrodome Distribution | 06/09/2001 | 12 |
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