As part of my Comcast cable television package I have, besides Turner Classic Movies, numerous decent alternative movie channels which show films without commercial interruption. Among these is Screenpix and I happened upon a movie I hadn't seen in many years: THE CONQUEROR WORM. This is the AIP title and which was originally released as "WITCHFINDER GENERAL", a 1968 British & American production between Tigon Films and AIP(American International Pictures).
The Conqueror Worm takes place in 1645 England during the English civil war. A lawyer named "Matthew Hopkins" has anointed himself witch hunter and prowls the English countryside with his brutish assistant interrogating, torturing and eventually murdering anyone and everyone who is suspected of witchcraft and/or Satanic possession. Vincent Price brings to life "Matthew Hopkins" in all his cruel, sadistic glory but also makes a sworn enemy in a young English soldier named "Richard Marshall"(played by Ian Ogilvy). Hopkins has tortured the young soldier's lovely fiancee and murdered her father and English "Roundhead" soldier Richard Marshall, understandably enraged, sets out to track down Matthew Hopkins and kill him. (no other spoilers).
Any horror movie fan who hasn't seen THE CONQUEROR WORM (1968) should do so if for no other reason than to watch Vincent Price at work. There are some scenes of gore and torture violence in this film that, while they pale in comparison to present day horror gore meat grinder movies, are still disturbing to watch. This movie is available on both DVD and Blu Ray.
A trailer:
