Michael Reeves

Writing

Michael Reeves

Born October 17, 1943 · Sutton, London, UK

Died February 11, 1969 · aged 25

Michael Reeves (17 October 1943 – 11 February 1969) was an English film director and screenwriter, best known for the 1968 film Witchfinder General. Reeves died in London at the age of 25 from an accidental alcohol and barbiturate overdose shortly after the film's release.

Known For

Witchfinder GeneralWitchfinder General · 1968
Witchfinder General
6.51968
MovieDramaHistory
England, 1645. The cruel civil war between Royalists and Parliamentarians that is ravaging the country causes an era of chaos and legal arbitrariness that allows unscrupulous men to profit by exploiting the absurd superstitions of the peasants; like Matthew Hopkins, a monster disguised as a man who wanders from town to town offering his services as a witch hunter.
The She BeastThe She Beast · 1966
The She Beast
5.01966
MovieThrillerHorror
A young woman is driving alongside a lake. She has an accident and the car plunges into the water. Her body is then possessed by the spirit of an 18th-century witch who was killed by local villagers, and is bent on avenging herself on them.
The SorcerersThe Sorcerers · 1967
The Sorcerers
6.21967
MovieHorror
An aging hypnotist creates a device that allows the user to control the mind of another person, but his wife abuses its power by manipulating a younger man to commit evil acts.
The Castle of the Living DeadThe Castle of the Living Dead · 1964
The Castle of the Living Dead
6.11964
MovieHorror
Count Drago invites over entertainers to his castle, but what the people don't know is that Drago mummifies animals and humans!
The Magnificent Obsession of Michael ReevesThe Magnificent Obsession of Michael Reeves · 2019
The Magnificent Obsession of Michael Reeves
2019
MovieDocumentary
Although he was only 25 when he died Michael Reeves opened up genre cinema to new possibilities. Now considered one of the forefathers of folk horror for his groundbreaking masterpiece Witchfinder General (1968) Reeves certainly left his mark as a director. The fact he wasn't around long enough to expand on his legacy, let alone celebrate it, is one of the biggest tragedies of British film history.

Movies

Witchfinder GeneralWitchfinder General · 1968
Witchfinder General
6.51968
MovieDramaHistory
England, 1645. The cruel civil war between Royalists and Parliamentarians that is ravaging the country causes an era of chaos and legal arbitrariness that allows unscrupulous men to profit by exploiting the absurd superstitions of the peasants; like Matthew Hopkins, a monster disguised as a man who wanders from town to town offering his services as a witch hunter.
The She BeastThe She Beast · 1966
The She Beast
5.01966
MovieThrillerHorror
A young woman is driving alongside a lake. She has an accident and the car plunges into the water. Her body is then possessed by the spirit of an 18th-century witch who was killed by local villagers, and is bent on avenging herself on them.
The SorcerersThe Sorcerers · 1967
The Sorcerers
6.21967
MovieHorror
An aging hypnotist creates a device that allows the user to control the mind of another person, but his wife abuses its power by manipulating a younger man to commit evil acts.
The Castle of the Living DeadThe Castle of the Living Dead · 1964
The Castle of the Living Dead
6.11964
MovieHorror
Count Drago invites over entertainers to his castle, but what the people don't know is that Drago mummifies animals and humans!
The Magnificent Obsession of Michael ReevesThe Magnificent Obsession of Michael Reeves · 2019
The Magnificent Obsession of Michael Reeves
2019
MovieDocumentary
Although he was only 25 when he died Michael Reeves opened up genre cinema to new possibilities. Now considered one of the forefathers of folk horror for his groundbreaking masterpiece Witchfinder General (1968) Reeves certainly left his mark as a director. The fact he wasn't around long enough to expand on his legacy, let alone celebrate it, is one of the biggest tragedies of British film history.