Witchfinder General

Hopkins and Stearne begin their terror campaign across East Anglia during the English Civil War. They visit villages to torture confessions and extract payment from magistrates for their work. The pair impose a reign of fear as they pursue supposed witches.

Richard Marshall survives a brief skirmish and kills his first enemy soldier, earning a momentary victory for his regiment. He rides home to Brandeston to visit his lover Sara, the niece of the village priest. Lowes gives permission for Marshall to marry Sara and warns that trouble is coming.

Marshall meets Hopkins and Stearne on the road while still on leave. He directs them toward Brandeston and rides on, sparing Sara further danger for the moment. The chance encounter sets in motion the danger the village will face.

In Brandeston, Lowes is accused at his home and subjected to torture with needles pushed into his back in search of the Devil's Mark. Sara tries to intervene by offering Hopkins a favor to save her uncle. Hopkins leaves for another village, allowing Stearne to tighten the pressure on Lowes.

With Hopkins away, Stearne takes advantage of his absence and assaults Sara. When Hopkins returns, he resumes the torture and orders Stearne to begin again. The village darkens as fear spreads through Sara and those who witness the abuse.

Hopkins returns and orders relentless torture of Lowes, and with Stearne's help, Lowes and two women are executed. The village reels from the brutal acts and the loss of trusted locals. Marshall's sense of justice hardens in response to these killings.

Marshall returns to Brandeston horrified by what has happened to Sara and vows to kill Hopkins and Stearne. He marries Sara in a ceremony of his own devising and tells her to flee to Lavenham. He rides off alone to fulfill his vow against the witch hunters.

Hopkins and Stearne become separated after a Roundhead patrol interferes with their horses. Marshall locates Stearne, but a brutal fight ends with Stearne escaping to rejoin Hopkins. The hunters press on despite the setback.

Hopkins and Stearne reach the village of Lavenham, and Marshall learns of their presence and rides in with a group of soldiers. The pursuit tightens as the hunters attempt to secure their next victims. The town becomes a focal point of the looming confrontation.

Hopkins and Stearne set a trap to capture Marshall and Sara by framing them as witches and bring them to the castle for interrogation. The plan hinges on the villagers believing in their guilt and the danger they pose. The stage is set for a brutal confrontation in the dungeon.

Sara endures needles in her back as the interrogations test their claims of witchcraft. Marshall refuses to confess and remains determined to confront Hopkins. The pressure mounts as the two are pressed for answers under the threat of further harm.

Marshall's comrades rush into the dungeon as he seizes an axe and attacks Hopkins. Trooper Swallow shoots Hopkins dead to end the immediate threat. The brutal climax leaves Marshall spiritually shattered as Sara screams in the aftermath.