General Witchfinders
Claim This Podcastby Ross, Jon & James | Exploring Cult British Horror Films, TV & Books
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Podcast Overview
<p><strong>General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast</strong></p><br><p>Welcome to General Witchfinders, a podcast dedicated to the dark heart of British horror and classic Hammer horror films – officially selected for permanent preservation in the British Library’s National Sound Archive.</p><br><p>If you are passionate about British horror cinema, Hammer films, classic folk horror, Nigel Kneale’s Quatermass, and the chilling legacy of British supernatural television, this is the podcast for you.</p><p>Hosted by lifelong friends Ross, Jon, and James, General Witchfinders dives deep into the world of British horror, gothic cinema, and unsettling archive television.</p><p>We explore everything from Hammer horror’s blood-drenched vampire classics – starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing – to the eerie landscapes of The Wicker Man, Tigon’s The Creeping Flesh, and Amicus anthology films.</p><br><p>Whether it is cinematic British horror icons like Dracula AD 1972 and The Curse of Frankenstein, modern independent UK folk horror like Possum and In The Earth, or sci-fi horror thrillers like Event Horizon and The Medusa Touch, we unearth the films that shaped the genre.</p><br><p>We cover the definitive British sci-fi horror of Nigel Kneale – including The Quatermass Xperiment, Quatermass 2, Quatermass and the Pit, The Stone Tape, and his terrifying TV anthology series Beasts.</p><p>Our episodes shine a spotlight on classic British horror literature, including the tales of James Herbert from The Rats to The Survivor, alongside vintage television gems like the BBC’s Ghost Stories for Christmas (Whistle and I’ll Come to You, The Ash Tree), Doomwatch, Tales of the Unexpected, Inside No. 9, Ghostwatch, and classic Doctor Who horror stories like The Dæmons and Horror of Fang Rock.</p><br><p>Expect thoughtful commentary, dry wit, and nostalgic tangents about 1980s and 90s British culture.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Beyond the Podcast</strong> We also publish the independent General Witchfinders horror zine and host live podcast events and film screenings for the UK horror community.</p><p>General Witchfinders is your premier audio guide to British horror, Hammer films, folk horror, Quatermass, and everything that makes the UK’s supernatural tradition uniquely haunting.</p><p> </p><p>Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or grab our latest horror zine and live event tickets at <a href="https://www.generalwitchfinders.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.generalwitchfinders.com</a>.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Listener Reviews</strong></p><br><p><br></p><p>“Really entertaining and insightful. About half a dozen episodes done so far, and all on horror/supernatural things I personally love and wanted to hear more about. Lots of new facts and just downright entertaining takedowns. Great work.” – 5 Stars *****</p><br><p><br></p><blockquote>🦴 “If you’re looking for a fun chat about vintage British horror and sci-fi, then this is the podcast for you.” – 5 Stars *****</blockquote><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders">http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
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Publishing Since
1/3/2021
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Recent Episodes
May 8, 2026
Live Podcast
<p>On the 5th of May, we appeared live at the King’s Arms Hotel in Dorchester for our first event in front of an audience. We were invited by Teasel & Skylark – our local independent bookshop and the first shop to take a punt on selling our zine – to host a launch event and give a talk about Folk Horror.</p><p>Naturally, being the attention seekers we are, we jumped at the chance and twisted the premise of the talk toward the topics we love to discuss: Big Christopher Lee, M.R. James, and Nigel Kneale.</p><p>This episode is a recording of the main part of the evening. If you would like to hear some of the live readings from the zine, which is available now from generalwitchfinders.com while stocks last, please come and sign up as a patron at our Patreon. We will be posting additional content from the night there for our supporters.</p><p>A massive thank you to everyone who helped on the night. We hope to do something similar again soon.</p><br><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders">http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
April 5, 2026
68 - The Medusa Touch
<h2><br></h2><h2><strong>LIVE EVENT: General Witchfinders x Tasel & Skylark Books</strong></h2><p>Join the <strong>General Witchfinders</strong> for our first-ever live show! We are partnering with Dorchester’s premier bookshop, <strong>Tasel and Skylark</strong>, for a night of high-strung atmosphere and <strong>folk horror</strong>.</p><ul><li><strong>Date:</strong> Tuesday 5th May</li><li><strong>Venue:</strong> Kings Arms Hotel, Dorchester</li><li><strong>Featuring:</strong> Live music, exclusive story readings, a deep-dive talk on <strong>Folk Horror</strong>, and the official launch of our brand-new zine.</li></ul><p><strong>Tickets are strictly limited – grab yours now at </strong><a href="http://www.generalwitchfinders.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>www.generalwitchfinders.com</strong></a></p><br><p><br></p><h3><br></h3><h3><strong>The Medusa Touch (1978): Richard Burton and the Power of Catastrophe</strong></h3><p>In this episode, we investigate the 1978 <strong>supernatural horror thriller</strong> <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong>. Directed by <strong>Jack Gold</strong> and adapted from the <strong>Peter Van Greenaway</strong> novel, <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong> is a quintessential piece of seventies <strong>British cinema</strong> that sits at the dark intersection of the disaster movie and the occult thriller. The film follows the investigation into the apparent murder of <strong>John Morlar</strong>, played with volcanic intensity by <strong>Richard Burton</strong>.</p><br><p><strong>Richard Burton</strong> is the undeniable gravitational centre of <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong>. Despite <strong>Richard Burton</strong> only filming for three weeks and demanding a massive upfront fee, his presence as the telekinetic <strong>John Morlar</strong> defines the movie’s grim atmosphere. We discuss how <strong>Richard Burton</strong> portrayed a man who believed his thoughts could cause jumbo jets to crash and cathedrals to crumble. Interestingly, because of <strong>Richard Burton’s</strong> high cost, his character is often seen heavily bandaged in a hospital bed, allowing a stand-in to do the heavy lifting while <strong>Richard Burton</strong> provided the piercing close-ups and that legendary voice.</p><br><p>Fans of 90s rock will know that a specific line from <strong>Richard Burton</strong> in <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong> – ‘I will bring the whole edifice down on their unworthy heads’ – was famously sampled by the <strong>Manic Street Preachers</strong>. This misanthropic energy is what makes <strong>John Morlar</strong> such a compelling antagonist. Throughout our review of <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong>, we explore how <strong>Richard Burton</strong> channeled his own real-life disillusionment into the role of <strong>John Morlar</strong>, creating a performance that feels both radioactive and world-weary.</p><br><p>The supporting cast of <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong> is equally impressive. We look at <strong>Lino Ventura</strong> as Detective-Inspector Brunel, the man tasked with solving the mystery of <strong>John Morlar</strong>. Since <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong> was a co-production between the UK and France, Ventura provides a gritty, European perspective to this very British tale of destruction. <strong>Lee Remick</strong>, known for her work in The Omen, appears here as <strong>Dr Zonfeld</strong>, the psychiatrist who holds the keys to understanding the psychic pressure building inside <strong>John Morlar</strong>.</p><br><p>We also dive into the rich layer of <strong>British character actors</strong> that populates <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong>. From <strong>Jeremy Brett</strong>, the future Sherlock Holmes, playing the man who steals <strong>John Morlar’s</strong> wife, to the ubiquitous <strong>Harry Andrews</strong> and <strong>Gordon Jackson</strong>, <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong> serves as a ‘who’s who’ of the era’s talent. We even touch upon the vocal work of <strong>David de Keyser</strong>, whose rich tones dubbed Ventura and appeared in everything from Superman to Doctor Who.</p><br><p>Whether you are a fan of <strong>seventies horror</strong>, <strong>telekinesis films</strong>, or the legendary career of <strong>Richard Burton</strong>, this deep dive into <strong>The Medusa Touch</strong> has something for you. We examine the film's legacy, its sociopolitical commentary, and the sheer technical spectacle of the climactic cathedral collapse.</p><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders">http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
April 4, 2026
STOP THE PRESS – LIVE EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT!
<h2><strong>LIVE EVENT: General Witchfinders x Tasel & Skylark Books</strong></h2><p>Join the <strong>General Witchfinders</strong> for our first-ever live show! We are partnering with Dorchester’s premier bookshop, <strong>Tasel and Skylark</strong>, for a night of high-strung atmosphere and <strong>folk horror</strong>.</p><ul><li><strong>Date:</strong> Tuesday 5th May</li><li><strong>Venue:</strong> Kings Arms Hotel, Dorchester</li><li><strong>Featuring:</strong> Live music, exclusive story readings, a deep-dive talk on <strong>Folk Horror</strong>, and the official launch of our brand-new zine.</li></ul><p><strong>Tickets are strictly limited – grab yours now at </strong><a href="http://www.generalwitchfinders.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>www.generalwitchfinders.com</strong></a></p><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders">http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
111 total episodes available
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- What is General Witchfinders?
<p><strong>General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast</strong></p><br><p>Welcome to General Witchfinders, a podcast dedicated to the dark heart of British horror and classic Hammer horror films – officially selected for permanent preservation in the British Library’s National Sound Archive.</p><br><p>If you are passionate about British horror cinema, Hammer films, classic folk horror, Nigel Kneale’s Quatermass, and the chilling legacy of British supernatural television, this is the podcast for you.</p><p>Hosted by lifelong friends Ross, Jon, and James, General Witchfinders dives deep into the world of British horror, gothic cinema, and unsettling archive television.</p><p>We explore everything from Hammer horror’s blood-drenched vampire classics – starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing – to the eerie landscapes of The Wicker Man, Tigon’s The Creeping Flesh, and Amicus anthology films.</p><br><p>Whether it is cinematic British horror icons like Dracula AD 1972 and The Curse of Frankenstein, modern independent UK folk horror like Possum and In The Earth, or sci-fi horror thrillers like Event Horizon and The Medusa Touch, we unearth the films that shaped the genre.</p><br><p>We cover the definitive British sci-fi horror of Nigel Kneale – including The Quatermass Xperiment, Quatermass 2, Quatermass and the Pit, The Stone Tape, and his terrifying TV anthology series Beasts.</p><p>Our episodes shine a spotlight on classic British horror literature, including the tales of James Herbert from The Rats to The Survivor, alongside vintage television gems like the BBC’s Ghost Stories for Christmas (Whistle and I’ll Come to You, The Ash Tree), Doomwatch, Tales of the Unexpected, Inside No. 9, Ghostwatch, and classic Doctor Who horror stories like The Dæmons and Horror of Fang Rock.</p><br><p>Expect thoughtful commentary, dry wit, and nostalgic tangents about 1980s and 90s British culture.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Beyond the Podcast</strong> We also publish the independent General Witchfinders horror zine and host live podcast events and film screenings for the UK horror community.</p><p>General Witchfinders is your premier audio guide to British horror, Hammer films, folk horror, Quatermass, and everything that makes the UK’s supernatural tradition uniquely haunting.</p><p> </p><p>Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or grab our latest horror zine and live event tickets at <a href="https://www.generalwitchfinders.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.generalwitchfinders.com</a>.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Listener Reviews</strong></p><br><p><br></p><p>“Really entertaining and insightful. About half a dozen episodes done so far, and all on horror/supernatural things I personally love and wanted to hear more about. Lots of new facts and just downright entertaining takedowns. Great work.” – 5 Stars *****</p><br><p><br></p><blockquote>🦴 “If you’re looking for a fun chat about vintage British horror and sci-fi, then this is the podcast for you.” – 5 Stars *****</blockquote><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders">http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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