Watch The Conqueror Worm

In the year 1968, one of the iconic American horror directors, Roger Corman, released a period horror film called The Conqueror Worm or Witchfinder General. The movie, set in 17th-century England, stars Vincent Price, known for his eerie and eerie performances, as the malevolent villain, Matthew Hopkins, and earns its place in the cult classic horror genre. The director transforms history into horror, using real events and actions from witch hunts that occurred during the English civil war.

The Conqueror Worm starts with two travelers, Richard Marshall (Ian Ogilvy) and his fiancée, Sara (Hilary Dwyer) visiting a small town in East Anglia. Richard is a soldier for the army under Cromwell, and when he arrives at the town, he sees a mob chanting and demanding the release of a pregnant woman arrested for being a witch. Matthew Hopkins, who travels the land with a torture device called the "swimming test," arrives in town and tortures the woman until she confesses. The scene sets the theme for the rest of the movie as viewers witness the brutality and inhumanity used during the witch-hunts.

Marshall, who is known as a man of faith and vigor, quickly becomes suspicious of Hopkins' methods and motivation. Hopkins, a self-proclaimed witchfinder, states his mission is to eradicate anyone who practices witchcraft. However, he is not above accepting bribes to release people he has accused of witchcraft or taking advantage of vulnerable women. Meanwhile, Marshall and Sara's love story adds a level of romance to the plot, making the horror elements even more intense.

The Conqueror Worm features brilliant performances by Vincent Price and Rupert Davies, who plays John Lowes, a priest who has a strong moral compass and is determined to stop Hopkins' abuse. Price portrays Hopkins as a cold, calculating, and malicious character, who has no empathy for anyone he suspects of witchcraft. His performance is not over the top, but instead, he portrays the character with a quiet intensity that is as chilling as it is mesmerizing.

As the film progresses, Hopkins and his ally, the ruthless soldier, Stearne (Robert Russell), perfectly execute their mission to eliminate anyone who they suspect of witchcraft. They capture people, put them through brutal questioning, and when the accused confess, they execute them. Even people who were not guilty of witchcraft, such as the woman who Marshall saw being tortured earlier, are not always spared from death at the hands of Hopkins.

The Conqueror Worm raises the audience's awareness of the atrocities that people were willing to commit during the witch-hunts. As the story progresses, viewers are confronted with death, violence, and torture, making it clear that although the movie might be horrific, the events it is based on were even more chilling.

The movie's cinematography is worth mentioning as it adds a haunting quality to the film. The low-level perspective shots, the angles of the camera, the use of natural light all make the film seem authentic and adds to the realism. It's almost as if the audience is witnessing the events with their own eyes.

In conclusion, The Conqueror Worm is a movie that is still relevant today, as it raises awareness of the brutality committed during the witch-hunts. The movie, directed by one of the most prominent horror directors in history, features a fantastic cast and crew, making it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys horror movies or history. If you're in the mood for suspense, horror, and a bit of romance all wrapped up with some fantastic cinematography and direction, look no further than The Conqueror Worm.

The Conqueror Worm is a 1968 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.