The Conqueror Worm (Witchfinder General)

The Conqueror Worm (Witchfinder General) (1968)

  • 83% of critics liked it
    (12 reviews)

  • 66% of users liked it
    (4,717 ratings)

A corrupt opportunist commits brutal crimes in the name of God and country in this atmospheric period horror tale. In 17th century England, as a people's uprising threatens Lord Cromwell's rule, superstition still rules the land, and the Royalists use this to their advantage by inaugurating… More

Play Trailer

Unrated,
Directed By
Written By
Tom Baker, Michael Reeves
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure, Horror, Classics
In Theaters
Jan 1, 2000 Wide
MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

  • J. Hoberman, Village Voice

    It remains contemporary, and even frightening, in its evocation of cynical Puritanism and mass deception.

  • Lucius Gore, ESplatter

    With no supernatural elements to speak of, it is as much an historical drama as a horror film.

  • Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter

    ... a must-have for any fan of Vincent Price, '60s British horror, or [director] Michael Reeves.

  • Brian Holcomb, PopMatters

    This is not the kind of horror that comes from cobwebs and creaky doors. Its horrors are all too human and impossible to cast off with a simple fade out.

  • Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

    It's an interesting indictment of blind piousness, but it's not much of a scare film for Halloween time.

Read all 9 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Randy T


    In spite of Mr. Price's noteworthy performance, <i>Witchfinder General</i> is at best a second-rate production. The story is conceptually dark, the script is graphically brutal and the characters are painfully one-dimensional.

  • Anthony L


    It's disturbing and horrific as far as the story goes, the fact that this kind of thing used to happen makes me feel quite uneasy. The fact is though, that this isn't the great British horror film it has been made out to be. It doesn't come close to The Wicker Man for… More

  • Bruce B


    When it comes to the MGM Midnite Movies, I've yet to find a bad one, that is until I watched this film, maybe that's why its sold as a single rather then a double as most MGM movies are Double Features. Anyway I don't think Vincent Price enjoyed making the film as it… More

  • Cassandra M


    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… More

  • Lee ?


    Historical based witch-hunt film set in 17th century England. Not bad at all, but it's lost it's shock value due to its 40 year old age. Watched as a drama it's fine, but don't expect a "torture porn" type film. Vincent Price was great as usual.

Read all 13 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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