Writer-director
Michael Reeves passed away on February 11th 1969, aged just 25. He had helmed a
mere three films in his short lifetime – all of them in various fields of
exploitation cinema – the third and last of them, Witchfinder General, now widely acknowledged as a classic of 1960s
British cinema. (The film was featured in ‘Cinema Retro’ Vol 2 No 5.)
As I was
watching The Magnificent Obsession of
Michael Reeves, the new documentary from filmmaker Dima Ballin, I found
myself wondering, 50 years on from his death, just how far reaching among movie
buffs at large Reeves and his films are. Although I can comprehend that mention
of his name might draw a blank with many, it seems inconceivable to me that the
title Witchfinder General would do so
too. So I put it to the test. My daughter, who’s in her mid-20s and shares my
passion for film – less mainstream fare in particular – said she’d heard of
neither Reeves nor Witchfinder General.
Although I couldn’t recall it being one I’d shown her myself, I was
nevertheless surprised, it really wasn’t the response I’d expected. And if she – whose father (for better or worse)
fed her a diet of classic screen terrors throughout her teenage years – was
blithely unaware of the man and that revered film in particular, then the
situation may be worse than I thought.
For her
and anyone else who’s not heard of Reeves, Ballin’s film is essential viewing.
For if the worth of any documentary about a filmmaker is gauged by its ability
to fill the viewer with a desire to seek out the films discussed within, then The Magnificent Obsession of Michael Reeves
is 24-carat gold. It provides a fascinating insight into both the man and his
movies, with stories told not only by some of his admirers but by those who
knew and worked with him too. Among the latter are actor Ian Ogilvy (who had
starring roles in all three of Reeves’s films) and screenwriter Tom Baker.
Michael
Reeves came from a privileged background insomuch as his mother was
sufficiently well-heeled as to be able to bankroll his desire to make movies.
Yet he was also something of a tragic figure, insular and blighted by mental
health problems. Although his personal life is discussed in the documentary, the
main focus is his films: Discussed at some length are Revenge of the Blood Beast (1966, aka The She Beast, starring Barbara Steele), The Sorcerers (1967, starring Boris Karloff and Catherine Lacey)
and, of course, Witchfinder General
(1968, aka The Conqueror Worm,
starring Vincent Price). Just look at those names. His career may have been
brief, but it can’t be said Reeves didn’t get to work with some of the greats.
Ian Ogilvy
– Reeves’s close friend from a young age, even appearing some of his early home
movies (of which tantalising glimpses are included here) – is particularly generous
with his recollections, sharing many little nuggets I’d not heard before. For
example, it is Reeves himself body-doubling Ogilvy in the car that’s about to
explode at the climax of The Sorcerers,
the actor having point blank refused to get in under concerns for his personal
safety.
Witchfinder General was Reeves’s masterpiece, yet
his lack of rapport with Vincent Price during shooting is well known. It didn’t
help that the fledgling director constantly had to request that his seasoned
leading man dial down his overly theatrical performance. How lovely then to
learn that after seeing the finished film Price wrote to Reeves stating that
his direction had been spot on and how he hoped they might work together again
one day. Apparently Reeves carried that letter around with him always.
For fans
of the director and his films, I can’t recommend this documentary highly
enough. As for the less familiar, there’s a saying along the lines that you
live on after your death until the last person who remembers you is gone. With
that in mind, I just hope Dima Ballin’s outstanding film will also serve to
introduce Michael Reeves to a new audience, a young audience that will help keep his memory alive for another 50
years. And many beyond.
Right,
I’ve got to go and dig out my disc of Witchfinder
General. I have a daughter to educate.