MovieChat Forums > Matthew Hopkins: Witchfinder General (1968) Discussion > Was confused

Was confused

posted 18 years ago by dramachicfc
13 replies | jump to latest

I got my first view of this film in my Evil class for my graduate course last night. Our film professor came in to show us what he called, "the most evil movie." We got to see the original version. Apparently the film company who owned the rights mucked it up with synathsized music and a prelude of Poe's poem the conqueror worm (also in the ending). From the hype from my professor, who usually has great films to show, I thought it was going to be horrific, down right sick. I know by today's standards movies like Saw and Hostel show gruesome, bloody, horrible images and I can't judge this movie on based on that. But honestly I didn't feel uncomfortable, horrified, or scared throughout the movie. I was more disgusted by a PBS documentary on Hopkins than this movie. Although the composition of the movie was breath taking I found it almost boring. If I hadn't been waiting for this so-called evil I would have probably just left. The only scene that is even remotely interesting is the very last scene where Marshall declares, "You took him from me." I must be utterly desenseitized(sp)or perhaps another viewing?

Oh and to answer some of the other threads, those aren't body parts in the fire that the children are poking, they are potatos and they are roasting them, which really isn't much better, morally.

[–] Kolobos51 18 years ago

People too often think of "frightening" and "evil" movies as being synonymous with "gory" and "disgusting." These are two different things and, not to rag on you, but I get irritated when people say things like "The original Texas Chainsaw wasn't nearly as brutal as the new one" when you take out the idea of genuine amorality, prolonged mental duress, and true psychological dementia from more modern movies like "Saw" and replace them with an underdeveloped supporting character be tortured for ten minutes then try and say that's more effective.

Not saying this movie was brilliant, just saying I think you missed the guy's point when he said "evil," not "bloody" or "jump out of your seat scary."

I'm not surprised there's so much violence in this country. I'm surprised there's so little.

[–] Gloede_The_Saint 16 years ago

Are you kidding me? You think Saw and Hostel are that bad? They have nothing on the films that came out around this time. Just watch Salo.

As for this movie. No it's not what I would call sick. I have no idea where your professor got that from. Obviously the lead is evil and it shows a disgusting time to live in but it's nothing too uncomfortable. It's a fantastic film though

Somebody here has been drinking and I'm sad to say it ain't me - Allan Francis Doyle

[–] hereandelsewhere 15 years ago

I was highly disturbed by the opening scene and the one towards the end where Elizabeth was burned alive. More than anything it was the combination of horror (the screaming, the dreaded anticipation of what was to come) and of the nonchalant expressions of the villagers who came to watch. To know that scenes like this would have occurred 350 years ago is terrifying.

[–] twelvepointnine 14 years ago

[…] and of the nonchalant expressions of the villagers who came to watch.

Your remark made me suddenly realize that many of us in the west are descendants from those bloodthirsty onlookers. That explains an awful lot…

Chaos reigns

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] WarpedRecord 14 years ago

Oh and to answer some of the other threads, those aren't body parts in the fire that the children are poking, they are potatos and they are roasting them, which really isn't much better, morally.

You think roasting potatoes is immoral?

[–] Andrew_S_Hatton 14 years ago

You think roasting potatoes is immoral?

No, the poster may have been ironic.

What perhaps is immoral is showing children roasting potatoes in a fire just recently used for an execution. I think it is very unlikely such a thing would have happened or that the watchers of the burning would have appeared as complacent and fearless as the film showed.

[–] garybatmanbusey 14 years ago

im sure people would have appeared fearless, as they burnt supposed witches, Im not saying everyone, but those who believed would have probably loved seeing someone burn.

just look at the Nazi's. If you believe that intently in something it alter your view.

'All for one and one for all! You go first, I've got a bad leg.'

[–] Andrew_S_Hatton 14 years ago

There is something in that, although the people being killed were locals the watchers knew over years, which is not the same as travelling to Tyburn or wherever to watch an execution or a hanging of someone who has been found guilty of a real offence like murder.

No, most of those watching would be in fear that they would be next, I suspect.

It must have been absolutely terrifying.http://www.tyburnconvent.org.uk/home/index.html

[–] jondonz 12 years ago

What makes this movie so scary isn't the gore. It's the casual way in which human beings try to hurt each other. Combine that with the fact that the protagonists are a cute and innocent couple, the lovely, almost romantic soundtrack and the beautiful shots of the British landscape. It's that combination that shocks the audience the most imao

[–] a_heathen_conceivably 12 years ago

Yes, that lovely almost romantic soundtrack by Paul Ferris (who actually appears in the film credited as "Morris Jar" - geddit?)... about to be released (December 10, 2012*) on CD and vinyl!

[Update] *Apparently rescheduled for January 7, 2013.

"Oh look - a lovely spider! And it's eating a butterfly!"
'' ,,

[–] ElectricWarlock 12 years ago

I think a film that's very similar to this but with the blood and gore you want is Mark of the Devil. With that being said, I don't think this film is supposed to be disturbing based on blood alone. The treatment of people during that time period and how it was legal to murder just about anyone you wanted with little to no evidence. All you had to do is simply say they're a witch without proof to support your statement. And also it was disturbing how Matthew used his position of power to take advantage of people.

Come, fly the teeth of the wind. Share my wings.

[–] CoriSCapnSkip (2756) 2 months ago

For one, I am impressed there is actually an Evil class in college!

For two, agreement here: I had read so much about people being absolutely horrified by this movie, I was almost disappointed that I was not a lot more horrified and wondered if I should be disappointed in myself that I was desensitized or whether I should be disappointed in the movie.