General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

68 - The Medusa Touch

LIVE EVENT: General Witchfinders x Tasel & Skylark BooksJoin the General Witchfinders for our first-ever live show! We are partnering with Dorchester’s premier bookshop, Tasel and Skylark, for a night of high-strung atmosphere and folk horror.Date: Tuesday 5th MayVenue: Kings Arms Hotel, DorchesterFeaturing: Live music, exclusive story readings, a deep-dive talk on Folk Horror, and the official launch of our brand-new zine.Tickets are strictly limited – grab yours now at www.generalwitchfinders.comThe Medusa Touch (1978): Richard Burton and the Power of CatastropheIn this episode, we investigate the 1978 supernatural horror thriller The Medusa Touch. Directed by Jack Gold and adapted from the Peter Van Greenaway novel, The Medusa Touch is a quintessential piece of seventies British cinema that sits at the dark intersection of the disaster movie and the occult thriller. The film follows the investigation into the apparent murder of John Morlar, played with volcanic intensity by Richard Burton.Richard Burton is the undeniable gravitational centre of The Medusa Touch. Despite Richard Burton only filming for three weeks and demanding a massive upfront fee, his presence as the telekinetic John Morlar defines the movie’s grim atmosphere. We discuss how Richard Burton portrayed a man who believed his thoughts could cause jumbo jets to crash and cathedrals to crumble. Interestingly, because of Richard Burton’s high cost, his character is often seen heavily bandaged in a hospital bed, allowing a stand-in to do the heavy lifting while Richard Burton provided the piercing close-ups and that legendary voice.Fans of 90s rock will know that a specific line from Richard Burton in The Medusa Touch – ‘I will bring the whole edifice down on their unworthy heads’ – was famously sampled by the Manic Street Preachers. This misanthropic energy is what makes John Morlar such a compelling antagonist. Throughout our review of The Medusa Touch, we explore how Richard Burton channeled his own real-life disillusionment into the role of John Morlar, creating a performance that feels both radioactive and world-weary.The supporting cast of The Medusa Touch is equally impressive. We look at Lino Ventura as Detective-Inspector Brunel, the man tasked with solving the mystery of John Morlar. Since The Medusa Touch was a co-production between the UK and France, Ventura provides a gritty, European perspective to this very British tale of destruction. Lee Remick, known for her work in The Omen, appears here as Dr Zonfeld, the psychiatrist who holds the keys to understanding the psychic pressure building inside John Morlar.We also dive into the rich layer of British character actors that populates The Medusa Touch. From Jeremy Brett, the future Sherlock Holmes, playing the man who steals John Morlar’s wife, to the ubiquitous Harry Andrews and Gordon Jackson, The Medusa Touch serves as a ‘who’s who’ of the era’s talent. We even touch upon the vocal work of David de Keyser, whose rich tones dubbed Ventura and appeared in everything from Superman to Doctor Who.Whether you are a fan of seventies horror, telekinesis films, or the legendary career of Richard Burton, this deep dive into The Medusa Touch has something for you. We examine the film's legacy, its sociopolitical commentary, and the sheer technical spectacle of the climactic cathedral collapse.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

STOP THE PRESS – LIVE EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT!

LIVE EVENT: General Witchfinders x Tasel & Skylark BooksJoin the General Witchfinders for our first-ever live show! We are partnering with Dorchester’s premier bookshop, Tasel and Skylark, for a night of high-strung atmosphere and folk horror.Date: Tuesday 5th MayVenue: Kings Arms Hotel, DorchesterFeaturing: Live music, exclusive story readings, a deep-dive talk on Folk Horror, and the official launch of our brand-new zine.Tickets are strictly limited – grab yours now at www.generalwitchfinders.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

67 - Frankenstein Created Woman (Hammer Horror 1967)

Frankenstein Created Woman (1967) | Hammer Horror & Peter Cushing Deep DiveWelcome to another atmospheric installment of the General Witchfinders podcast. In this episode, we are throwing chronology to the wind and jumping straight into the heart of the Hammer Films oeuvre. Having previously explored the Baron’s first experiment in The Curse of Frankenstein and his final bow in Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell, we now settle into the middle of the franchise with the 1967 cult classic: Frankenstein Created Woman.Directed by the undisputed master of gothic cinema, Terence Fisher, and featuring a career-defining performance by Peter Cushing, this film stands as one of the most intellectually provocative entries in the Hammer Horror canon. Interestingly, this is famously cited as one of Martin Scorsese’s favorite films, proving that the brilliance of the Baron transcends the "B-movie" label.The Soul of Science: Baron Victor FrankensteinIn Frankenstein Created Woman, Peter Cushing returns as Baron Victor Frankenstein. Unlike earlier iterations where the focus was on the stitching of limbs and the reanimation of dead tissue, the screenplay by Anthony Hinds (writing as John Elder) takes a metaphysical turn. Here, the Baron is obsessed with the soul.The plot follows the wrongful execution of Hans Werner (Robert Morris), the lover of the physically scarred Christina Kleve (Susan Denberg). After Christina takes her own life in grief, the Baron captures Hans’s soul and traps it within Christina’s surgically repaired body. This results in a "soul-swapping" revenge thriller that remains unique within the Frankenstein series. Cushing’s performance is refined, showing a Baron who is less of a graverobber and more of a cold, calculated philosopher of the macabre.The Legend of Susan Denberg and Nikki van der ZylThe casting of Susan Denberg is central to the film's legacy. A German-Austrian model and 1966 Playboy Miss August Playmate, Denberg was already known to sci-fi fans for her appearance in the Star Trek episode "Mudd’s Women." While her visual presence is striking, the production decided her Austrian accent was too strong for the character.Enter the legendary Nikki van der Zyl. If you have watched a James Bond film, you have likely heard her voice. She famously dubbed Honey Ryder in Dr. No and provided dialogue for countless Bond girls and even Gert Fröbe in Goldfinger. Her work on Frankenstein Created Woman adds a layer of polished professional mystery to Christina’s character, bridging the gap between Hammer Horror and the 1960s spy-fi aesthetic.The Hammer Character Actor NexusAs we always do at General Witchfinders, we track the "mother nexus" of British character actors who populated the halls of Bray Studios. This film is a treasure trove for genre enthusiasts:Thorley Walters (Dr. Hertz): A close personal friend of director Terence Fisher, Walters brings a much-needed warmth to the role of the Baron's assistant. Fans will recognize him as a recurring Doctor Watson in various Sherlock Holmes adaptations, including Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace.Duncan Lamont (Werner): A veteran of the Hammer stable, Lamont appeared in the original Quatermass Experiment and returned for the 1967 film version of Quatermass and the Pit. He is also a favorite of ours from The Creeping Flesh.Robert Morris (Hans Werner): Another Quatermass alum who brings a tragic weight to the first half of the film.Derek Fowlds (Johann): Long before he was a household name in Yes Minister and Heartbeat, Fowlds was a RADA scholar cutting his teeth in the world of horror.Production History: From Bray Studios to the ScreenThe road to Frankenstein Created Woman was long. It was originally mooted as a follow-up to The Revenge of Frankenstein in 1958, capitalizing on the popularity of Roger Vadim's And God Created Woman. By the time it went into production at Bray Studios in July 1966, it was one of the penultimate productions at that iconic location.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

66 - The Asphyx (1972) aka Spirit of the Dead aka The Horror of Death

The Asphyx (1972) In this episode, we dive deep into the 1972 British science fiction horror cult classic, The Asphyx (also known as Spirit of the Dead or The Horror of Death). Set in the Victorian era, this unique period chiller follows a wealthy philanthropist and amateur scientist, Sir Hugo Cunningham, who stumbles upon a way to photograph the "Asphyx"—the Ancient Greek spirit of death that appears at the precise moment of a person's demise.A Quick Mea Culpa on Picture QualityBefore we get into the meat of the film, we have to address the elephant in the room: the visuals. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear us absolutely tear into the "pan and scan" and the ropy, grainy picture quality of the version we watched.Full disclosure: We’ve since realized we were watching a particularly bottom-of-the-barrel DVD. It turns out there are actually stunning, high-quality HD versions of The Asphyx available for free on YouTube! From the Todd-AO 35mm widescreen transfers to beautifully restored prints, the real film looks pretty good. If you want to see what Freddie Young actually intended, go search for it—it’s easy to find and looks worlds better than the disc we suffered through.Inside the Episode: Behind the Lens of a Horror Oddity. Despite our technical hurdles, The Asphyx is a fascinating piece of British cinema history. We explore the career of director Peter Newbrook, who rose from a messenger boy to the second unit photographer for the legendary mirage shot in Lawrence of Arabia. Key Discussion Points:The Legend Freddie Young: How a three-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer ended up shooting a 70s mad scientist flick. The Ghostbusters Connection: We examine the theory that this film’s spirit-trapping tech was the direct blueprint for the 1984 Ghostbusters equipment. The Remake That Never Was: Details on the failed 2011 reboot that was set to star Bond girl Alison Doody. Music: Composer Bill McGuffie (of Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. fame) and his incredible story of overcoming a childhood injury to master the piano. A Star-Studded Cast of British Icons. The acting pedigree in this film is surprisingly high, featuring some of the most recognizable faces in British television and film: Robert Stephens: The star of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. We discuss his marriage to Maggie Smith and his iconic work in The Box of Delights.Robert Powell: From Jesus of Nazareth to fighting rats in Doomwatch, Powell brings a certain intensity to the role of Giles. Jane Lapotaire: A Tony-winner and star of The Crown (as Princess Alice). We also take a detour into her role in One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing. Fiona Walker & Ralph Arliss: Spotting familiar faces from Doctor Who, I, Claudius, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, and the classic series Survivors. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

65b - K9 and Company: A Girl's Best Friend (Doctor Who Spinoff - BBC 1981)

In this episode, we explore the 1981 television pilot K-9 and Company, a unique and historic entry in the Doctor Who universe. Produced as a proposed Doctor Who spin-off, K-9 and Company stars the legendary Elisabeth Sladen as investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith alongside the robotic dog K9, voiced by John Leeson. While both were iconic former companions of the Fourth Doctor in Doctor Who, they had never appeared together on screen until the K-9 and Company pilot episode, titled A Girl’s Best Friend. Broadcast on BBC1 as a Doctor Who related Christmas special on 28 December 1981, K-9 and Company remains a vital piece of the Doctor Who franchise history despite not being commissioned for a full series. The existence of K-9 and Company was largely due to Doctor Who producer John Nathan-Turner, who wanted to bring Elisabeth Sladen back to the Doctor Who family. His initial 1980 plan for the actress would have seen Sarah Jane Smith travel in the TARDIS during the Doctor Who transition from Tom Baker to Peter Davison. However, Sladen wanted a role that evolved beyond her previous Doctor Who narrative. Simultaneously, the Doctor Who production team was struggling with the logistics of K9. While K9 was a massive hit with Doctor Who viewers, the prop was technically awkward and made the Doctor Who heroes too capable. The solution was K-9 and Company, a child-orientated Doctor Who spin-off where Sarah Jane Smith would be the central heroic lead. Before K-9 and Company, Elisabeth Clara Heath Sladen built a career in theatre and television, appearing in Z-Cars and Doomwatch. Her work on Z-Cars led directly to her casting in Doctor Who. Interestingly, the Doctor Who role of the new companion for The Time Warrior was originally cast with April Walker. However, Doctor Who lead Jon Pertwee felt the chemistry was wrong, leading to Sladen being cast as the definitive Sarah Jane Smith. She played the role in Doctor Who from 1973 to 1976, eventually returning for the K-9 and Company pilot. Her Doctor Who legacy continued in 2006 with David Tennant and the successful Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures. Following her death in 2011, Doctor Who aired a tribute during The Impossible Astronaut, proving her status as a Doctor Who icon. The voice behind the metal dog in K-9 and Company, John Leeson, first voiced K9 in the 1977 Doctor Who serial The Invisible Enemy. While Tom Baker had a difficult relationship with the K9 prop, he worked well with Leeson. Leeson briefly left Doctor Who to avoid being typecast but returned for K-9 and Company and later the Doctor Who anniversary special The Five Doctors. The K-9 and Company pilot also featured Colin Jeavons, known for his work in The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and the Doctor Who serial The Underwater Menace, and Mary Wimbush, a stalwart of The Archers. Written by Terence Dudley, a writer and director for Doctor Who stories like Meglos, the K-9 and Company pilot stands as a fascinating "what if" in the wider Doctor Who mythology.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.