General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast Podcast By Ross Jon & James | Exploring Cult British Horror Films TV & Books cover art

General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast

By: Ross Jon & James | Exploring Cult British Horror Films TV & Books
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General Witchfinders: The British Horror Podcast 🕷️



Welcome to General Witchfinders, a podcast dedicated to the dark heart of British horror.



If you’re passionate about Hammer Horror films, classic folk horror, Nigel Kneale’s Quatermass, and the chilling legacy of British supernatural cinema and television, this is the podcast for you. 🩸



Hosted by lifelong friends Ross, Jon, and James, General Witchfinders dives deep into the world of British gothic and folk horror.



We explore everything from Hammer Horror’s blood-drenched vampire classics—starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing—to the eerie folk horror landscapes of The Wicker Man and Nigel Kneale’s The Road.



Whether it’s cinematic icons like Dracula AD 1972 and The Curse of Frankenstein, or television classics like BBC Ghost Stories for Christmas, we unearth the films and series that shaped British horror. 🦇



We cover cult favourites including Quatermass and the Pit, The Quatermass Xperiment, and Quatermass II—examining how Nigel Kneale shaped British sci-fi horror.



And we shine a spotlight on the terrifying tales of James Herbert, from The Rats to The Survivor. 👻



Our episodes explore folk horror, gothic horror, and supernatural thrillers, dissecting films like Twins of Evil, The Reptile, Night of the Demon, and The Legend of Hell House.



We also revisit chilling television events such as Ghostwatch and Doctor Who’s The Dæmons and Horror of Fang Rock. ⚰️



Expect thoughtful commentary, dry wit, and nostalgic tangents about 1980s and 90s British culture.



General Witchfinders is your go-to podcast for British folk horror, Hammer Horror, Quatermass, and everything that makes the UK’s horror tradition uniquely haunting. 🪦



🎙️ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at www.generalwitchfinders.com.



🩸 Listener Reviews 🕸️



“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 *****



🦴 “If you’re looking for a fun chat about vintage British horror and sci-fi, then this is the podcast for you.” – 5 Stars *****

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ross Cleaver, Jon Pountney, James Randall Art
Episodes
  • 68 - The Medusa Touch

    68 - The Medusa Touch
    Apr 5 2026
    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.
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    2 hrs and 14 mins
  • STOP THE PRESS – LIVE EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT!

    STOP THE PRESS – LIVE EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT!
    Apr 4 2026
    LIVE EVENT: General Witchfinders x Tasel & Skylark Books

    Join 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 May
    • Venue: Kings Arms Hotel, Dorchester
    • Featuring: 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.com

    Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/general-witchfinders.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show more Show less
    2 mins
  • 67 - Frankenstein Created Woman (Hammer Horror 1967)

    67 - Frankenstein Created Woman (Hammer Horror 1967)
    Mar 2 2026
    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.
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    1 hr and 38 mins
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