This is the movie adaption you should watch - The Witches from 1990 got more charm, is more enchanting and got the better cast. Yes, the special effects of the new adaption are stronger, but that's it. If you got family time in front of your TV, put Nicolas Roeg's adaption on screen. The Witches 1990 is a great joy ride with some really ugly and mean witches, who get what they deserve. Still great, charming and entertaining with lots of fun ideas. Great classic book by Roald Dahl too.
205 Reviews
Provided Many Young Watchers with Vivid Nightmares
LanceBrave2 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
As a kid, Roald Dahl held a reputation as the "thinking child's" favorite author. His stories always had an undertone of darkness about them, a cruel edge. Even his lighter stories, like "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," doesn't spare its young characters. Later in life, when I discovered that Dahl also wrote dark thrillers and even erotica, it wasn't surprising. Dahl's style has always made him a rough fit for Hollywood, who like their children flicks to be safe and sanitized. When Dahl adaptations do turn out alright, like "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," they tend to only loosely resemble their source material. Which brings me to "The Witches," a surprisingly macabre family film.
"The Witches" starts appropriately, as a dark fairy tale told by a grandmother to her grandson. The old woman lays down the movie's ground rules. Witches are evil inhuman beings, with purple eyes, no toes, and bald heads. They live to murder children, who smell like dog droppings to them. The parents are killed in a car crash soon afterwards, leaving Luke alone with his grandmother. After a diabetic attack, the old woman is sent to a English hotel to recuperate, joined by her grandson. Fate would have it that the hotel, that same weekend, would be holding a gathering of witches, led by the Grand High Witch. There, the boy overhears the witches' newest plot, a plan to turn of all of England's children into mice.
"The Witches" is a children's film. Its protagonist is the kind of can-do, heroic kid usually seen in films of this type. The story's climatic thrust depends on a child outsmarting adults, another stalwart feature of the genre. There's almost a layer of "gee-shucks" sincerity to the way Luke interacts with his grandmother and the other boy his age. Luke and his friend Bruno spends the entire second half of the film in the form of a mouse, which allows for all sorts of cute antics. The emotional center of the story is the boy's relationship with his grandmother, one of safety and warmth. The film ultimately does not transcend the genre.
But, boy, does it try. "The Witches" is amazingly grotesque at times, enough so that you can fairly categorize it as a kid-friendly horror film. The film makes it clear, from the beginning, that witches want to kill children. It doesn't use any softer synonyms or dance around it. The film's highlight is the witches' meeting. Angelica Huston's head witch removes her skin and hair, revealing a grotesque true face, her skin stretching, body contorting. It's a moment of body horror worthy of Cronenberg. The Grand High Witch has the wart covered skin, sunken eyelids, and hook nose of your stereotypical witch but the film extends the stereotypes to their extreme. That sequence also features a whole room of old women revealing stub feet and balding, scaly heads. The image of young boys similarly stretching and morphing into a mouse is equally unsettling. The finale, a room of witches shrinking into mice, maintains those nasty creature effects. Though the Jim Henson Creature Studio effects are somewhat cartoony I bet they still provided many young watchers with vivid nightmares.
Another thing to like about "The Witches" is the mythological footprint it puts on the witch concept. The script treats witches as if they were vampires or werewolves, classical monsters with specific traits, powers, and weaknesses. The script speaks in sweeping, fable-like terms. All witches are evil, devoted to murdering kids. Why? Because they're monsters, that's why. Their nasty appearances match their attitudes, only able to disguise their evil for so long.
The movie is also helped out by its strong cast. Anjelica Huston is delightfully over-the-top as the film's villain, the wicked head witch. She speaks with a cartoonish German accent, fully committed to the material. Even while under extensive make-up, the actress' mannerisms are visible. Mai Zetterling is also notable as the grandmother, warm but with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Though a bit flat as the young lead, Jasen Fisher is a strong enough actor to carry his role. His performance actually improves when the character is turned into a mouse, the young actor's voice working quite well.
Nicolas Roeg's usually stylish direction is muted a bit here but he still pulls off some memorable visuals. The film is uniformly strong up until the very end. The script wimps out, providing an unlikely solution to the hero's problem, de-mouse-fying him at the last minute. It's an especially lazy screen writing decision and the only blotch on an otherwise strong film, a surprisingly twisted kids flick.
"The Witches" starts appropriately, as a dark fairy tale told by a grandmother to her grandson. The old woman lays down the movie's ground rules. Witches are evil inhuman beings, with purple eyes, no toes, and bald heads. They live to murder children, who smell like dog droppings to them. The parents are killed in a car crash soon afterwards, leaving Luke alone with his grandmother. After a diabetic attack, the old woman is sent to a English hotel to recuperate, joined by her grandson. Fate would have it that the hotel, that same weekend, would be holding a gathering of witches, led by the Grand High Witch. There, the boy overhears the witches' newest plot, a plan to turn of all of England's children into mice.
"The Witches" is a children's film. Its protagonist is the kind of can-do, heroic kid usually seen in films of this type. The story's climatic thrust depends on a child outsmarting adults, another stalwart feature of the genre. There's almost a layer of "gee-shucks" sincerity to the way Luke interacts with his grandmother and the other boy his age. Luke and his friend Bruno spends the entire second half of the film in the form of a mouse, which allows for all sorts of cute antics. The emotional center of the story is the boy's relationship with his grandmother, one of safety and warmth. The film ultimately does not transcend the genre.
But, boy, does it try. "The Witches" is amazingly grotesque at times, enough so that you can fairly categorize it as a kid-friendly horror film. The film makes it clear, from the beginning, that witches want to kill children. It doesn't use any softer synonyms or dance around it. The film's highlight is the witches' meeting. Angelica Huston's head witch removes her skin and hair, revealing a grotesque true face, her skin stretching, body contorting. It's a moment of body horror worthy of Cronenberg. The Grand High Witch has the wart covered skin, sunken eyelids, and hook nose of your stereotypical witch but the film extends the stereotypes to their extreme. That sequence also features a whole room of old women revealing stub feet and balding, scaly heads. The image of young boys similarly stretching and morphing into a mouse is equally unsettling. The finale, a room of witches shrinking into mice, maintains those nasty creature effects. Though the Jim Henson Creature Studio effects are somewhat cartoony I bet they still provided many young watchers with vivid nightmares.
Another thing to like about "The Witches" is the mythological footprint it puts on the witch concept. The script treats witches as if they were vampires or werewolves, classical monsters with specific traits, powers, and weaknesses. The script speaks in sweeping, fable-like terms. All witches are evil, devoted to murdering kids. Why? Because they're monsters, that's why. Their nasty appearances match their attitudes, only able to disguise their evil for so long.
The movie is also helped out by its strong cast. Anjelica Huston is delightfully over-the-top as the film's villain, the wicked head witch. She speaks with a cartoonish German accent, fully committed to the material. Even while under extensive make-up, the actress' mannerisms are visible. Mai Zetterling is also notable as the grandmother, warm but with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Though a bit flat as the young lead, Jasen Fisher is a strong enough actor to carry his role. His performance actually improves when the character is turned into a mouse, the young actor's voice working quite well.
Nicolas Roeg's usually stylish direction is muted a bit here but he still pulls off some memorable visuals. The film is uniformly strong up until the very end. The script wimps out, providing an unlikely solution to the hero's problem, de-mouse-fying him at the last minute. It's an especially lazy screen writing decision and the only blotch on an otherwise strong film, a surprisingly twisted kids flick.
Unjustly forgotten fantasy
preppy-329 April 2002
Very strange fantasy in which a young boy Luke (Jasen Fisher) and his friend Bruno (Charles Potter) get in trouble with some witches (led by Anjelicia Huston). Luke's Norwegian aunt (Mai Zetterling), a former witch, helps him battle the others.
When this came out in 1990 critics loved it, but audiences stayed away. Real witches attacked the film because it portrayed witches as evil, ugly and wanting to kill all children. They overreacted--it's just a FANTASY, not reality. Also it was way too strong (and strange) to attract a family audience...too scary for kids and adults assumed it was a kids movie. But it is a good fantasy for high schoolers and adults.
Nicholas Roegs' direction is off-putting (he directs it like it's high art), but the special effects are truly incredible (especially the mice) and there are wonderful performances by Zetterling and Huston (going WAY over the top in her acting).
It's a very strange movie--definitely a one of a kind. It's worth a look.
When this came out in 1990 critics loved it, but audiences stayed away. Real witches attacked the film because it portrayed witches as evil, ugly and wanting to kill all children. They overreacted--it's just a FANTASY, not reality. Also it was way too strong (and strange) to attract a family audience...too scary for kids and adults assumed it was a kids movie. But it is a good fantasy for high schoolers and adults.
Nicholas Roegs' direction is off-putting (he directs it like it's high art), but the special effects are truly incredible (especially the mice) and there are wonderful performances by Zetterling and Huston (going WAY over the top in her acting).
It's a very strange movie--definitely a one of a kind. It's worth a look.
Satisfying and mischievous adaptation of Roald Dahl's childrens' classic..
barnabyrudge20 May 2003
The Witches is the rarest thing you'll ever see: a black comedy for children. Adults just assume that kids don't have the level of wit and sophistication to appreciate sly and sarcastic humour, but here that theory is challenged with a vengeance and this film proves itself to be a wickedly entertaining, knowingly cruel pantomime.
The story finds a young boy named Luke moving in with his Grandma following the death of his parents. She lives in Norway and is something of a witch expert. Pretty soon, she has filled his mind with tales of witchery and caution. Grandma falls seriously ill and is advised to go to the English seaside to recover, accompanied by Luke. Whilst there, Luke uncovers the fact that the RSPCC meeting in the hotel is actually a front for a society of witches. He is captured by them and metamorphosised into a mouse, but still comes up with a plot to wipe them out.
This film is enormous fun, punctuated by offbeat performances (Huston as the Grand High Witch of All the World is terrifying and funny in equal measure) and splendid puppet work. The story uses the moral that children should "never talk to strangers", but enhances it with the ingenious and disturbing premise of witches being responsible for evil acts towards children. The story has real pace and purpose, and constantly turns up another surprise or twist just when you think you've figured out what's coming next. The supporting performances are very nicely judged (Atkinson as the snooty hotel manager, Zetterlig as the wise grandmother, etc.). All in all, this is a must-see kids' flick for kids and adults of all ages.
The story finds a young boy named Luke moving in with his Grandma following the death of his parents. She lives in Norway and is something of a witch expert. Pretty soon, she has filled his mind with tales of witchery and caution. Grandma falls seriously ill and is advised to go to the English seaside to recover, accompanied by Luke. Whilst there, Luke uncovers the fact that the RSPCC meeting in the hotel is actually a front for a society of witches. He is captured by them and metamorphosised into a mouse, but still comes up with a plot to wipe them out.
This film is enormous fun, punctuated by offbeat performances (Huston as the Grand High Witch of All the World is terrifying and funny in equal measure) and splendid puppet work. The story uses the moral that children should "never talk to strangers", but enhances it with the ingenious and disturbing premise of witches being responsible for evil acts towards children. The story has real pace and purpose, and constantly turns up another surprise or twist just when you think you've figured out what's coming next. The supporting performances are very nicely judged (Atkinson as the snooty hotel manager, Zetterlig as the wise grandmother, etc.). All in all, this is a must-see kids' flick for kids and adults of all ages.
It's a winner
funkyfry5 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Wasn't sure what to expect from this 1990 kiddie fantasy film, but thought it was worth taking a look at for Dahl's original story and performances by Rowan Atkinson and Anjelica Huston. The film passes the grade -- it doesn't talk down to either its child or adult audience, and contains a dark sense of humor combined with memorable characters.
The plot concerns a little boy named Luke (Jasen Fisher), recently orphaned, who is taken with him grand mom (Mai Zetterling, showing impressive gravitas in this role) on a holiday by the beach, staying at a posh hotel run by a "stuffed shirt" who sleeps with his hired maids, Mr. Stringer (Atkinson). They become enmeshed in a conspiracy launched by the Grand High Witch (Huston) to turn every child in England into a mouse. After he and a corpulent friend are turned into mice, Luke must attempt to save the future of the Kingdom and escape all cats in the vicinity at the same time.
The film is somewhat remarkable for being so straightforward -- these witches just HATE children and that's pretty much what they are about. I'd say the screenplay was good; I haven't read the Dahl story but it had enough of the sense of irony and self-awareness that I've seen in his other books to believe it's a reasonably faithful adaption. Roeg tones down his sometimes chaotic style of directing and gets some fine work in here, even managing to make some of the film's more casual scenes memorable.
I have to admit I'm a fan of Rowan Atkinson, and this was one of his better small roles. I've never seen him in a romantic situation as they showed which was a novelty. He's perfect for the role, which he invests with his best sniveling self-superior nerd act.
If there's a problem with the film for me, it was with the lengthy sequences where the Grand High Witch explains her plan to the other witches. It went on for far too long for an expository scene in a children's film, and I can only imagine that the film-makers (chief among them Jim Henson as exec producer, one of his last credits) wrongly believed that the animatronic work on the GHW's "true face" would sustain the scene's dynamics. Instead we feel as if we are watching a puppet talk for 5 or 10 minutes, which is exactly what we're doing. At this point the scene fails to generate the excitement or dread that it should -- or that for example Walter Murch created in his scenes with the evil headless witch in "Return to Oz". We've seen too much already, there is nothing for the rest of the film to build up to. I felt that Huston is a great actress and they should have allowed her to do the scene instead of cheating with effects. The scenes with Huston in her campy witch persona without makeup are among the best in the film.
Only other problem, the ending felt a bit rushed to me, the problems were solved a bit too easily. On the whole though, this is a film I would think kids would enjoy and adults will not feel insulted by, so people might want to think about seeking this out instead of a lot of the awful stuff being done nowadays. It's become an oldie-but-goodie in the fast-moving kiddie fantasy world.
The plot concerns a little boy named Luke (Jasen Fisher), recently orphaned, who is taken with him grand mom (Mai Zetterling, showing impressive gravitas in this role) on a holiday by the beach, staying at a posh hotel run by a "stuffed shirt" who sleeps with his hired maids, Mr. Stringer (Atkinson). They become enmeshed in a conspiracy launched by the Grand High Witch (Huston) to turn every child in England into a mouse. After he and a corpulent friend are turned into mice, Luke must attempt to save the future of the Kingdom and escape all cats in the vicinity at the same time.
The film is somewhat remarkable for being so straightforward -- these witches just HATE children and that's pretty much what they are about. I'd say the screenplay was good; I haven't read the Dahl story but it had enough of the sense of irony and self-awareness that I've seen in his other books to believe it's a reasonably faithful adaption. Roeg tones down his sometimes chaotic style of directing and gets some fine work in here, even managing to make some of the film's more casual scenes memorable.
I have to admit I'm a fan of Rowan Atkinson, and this was one of his better small roles. I've never seen him in a romantic situation as they showed which was a novelty. He's perfect for the role, which he invests with his best sniveling self-superior nerd act.
If there's a problem with the film for me, it was with the lengthy sequences where the Grand High Witch explains her plan to the other witches. It went on for far too long for an expository scene in a children's film, and I can only imagine that the film-makers (chief among them Jim Henson as exec producer, one of his last credits) wrongly believed that the animatronic work on the GHW's "true face" would sustain the scene's dynamics. Instead we feel as if we are watching a puppet talk for 5 or 10 minutes, which is exactly what we're doing. At this point the scene fails to generate the excitement or dread that it should -- or that for example Walter Murch created in his scenes with the evil headless witch in "Return to Oz". We've seen too much already, there is nothing for the rest of the film to build up to. I felt that Huston is a great actress and they should have allowed her to do the scene instead of cheating with effects. The scenes with Huston in her campy witch persona without makeup are among the best in the film.
Only other problem, the ending felt a bit rushed to me, the problems were solved a bit too easily. On the whole though, this is a film I would think kids would enjoy and adults will not feel insulted by, so people might want to think about seeking this out instead of a lot of the awful stuff being done nowadays. It's become an oldie-but-goodie in the fast-moving kiddie fantasy world.
Dark, Humorous, Captivating Story Of Plucky Boy Vs Witches Coven
ShootingShark27 April 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Luke and his grandmother are taking a holiday in an English hotel when he discovers an RSPCC delegation are actually a coven of witches with a fiendish plan to kill every child in England. Things get worse when they turn him into a mouse. How can he and his Gran defeat these evil harpies ?
Based on one of Roald Dahl's classic funny / scary children's books, this a great ripping yarn full of spooky moments, gruesomely gross scenes, hilarious characters and lots of amusingly heroic episodes. Roeg is perhaps an unusual choice to direct a children's film but he creates an evocative mood (the story of the girl trapped in the picture brings me out in goosebumps every time) and casts the film to perfection with great character actors who bring out all the laughs and scares the story packs in. Zetterling - the gifted director of movies like Scrubbers - is just fantastic as Grandma, with her sly glances, matter-of-fact delivery and ever-present cigar, and is well matched by the formidable Huston as the Grand High Witch (whose hands alone are worth catching this movie for). Paterson does a great schtick as a loudmouthed hotel guest (he briefly flusters Huston by asking "Just flew in, did you ?"), Atkinson is on fine form as the officious manager, and Horrocks has a scene-stealing little part as a flunky. There are some great sequences; the big "Weetches ov Heenkland !" speech, Luke's daring escape from the conference room, the mouse-in-the-kitchen escapade and the suitably comic/violent finale. Dahl's stories are frequently gleefully horrible (one reason why they're so popular with kids), and this film, despite a happier ending than the book, exploits that quality to the full. The jaunty score by Stanley Myers, full of duelling violins and trumpets, bounces the whole thing along with gusto, bringing the humorous element to the fore and finishing off this delicious dessert of a movie. Sadly, this was the last film that the late great Jim Henson worked on before his untimely death at the age of 53, but it epitomises the imaginative, funny and enthralling love of storytelling which he brought to everything he did. Shot in Bergen in western Norway and Newquay in Cornwall.
Based on one of Roald Dahl's classic funny / scary children's books, this a great ripping yarn full of spooky moments, gruesomely gross scenes, hilarious characters and lots of amusingly heroic episodes. Roeg is perhaps an unusual choice to direct a children's film but he creates an evocative mood (the story of the girl trapped in the picture brings me out in goosebumps every time) and casts the film to perfection with great character actors who bring out all the laughs and scares the story packs in. Zetterling - the gifted director of movies like Scrubbers - is just fantastic as Grandma, with her sly glances, matter-of-fact delivery and ever-present cigar, and is well matched by the formidable Huston as the Grand High Witch (whose hands alone are worth catching this movie for). Paterson does a great schtick as a loudmouthed hotel guest (he briefly flusters Huston by asking "Just flew in, did you ?"), Atkinson is on fine form as the officious manager, and Horrocks has a scene-stealing little part as a flunky. There are some great sequences; the big "Weetches ov Heenkland !" speech, Luke's daring escape from the conference room, the mouse-in-the-kitchen escapade and the suitably comic/violent finale. Dahl's stories are frequently gleefully horrible (one reason why they're so popular with kids), and this film, despite a happier ending than the book, exploits that quality to the full. The jaunty score by Stanley Myers, full of duelling violins and trumpets, bounces the whole thing along with gusto, bringing the humorous element to the fore and finishing off this delicious dessert of a movie. Sadly, this was the last film that the late great Jim Henson worked on before his untimely death at the age of 53, but it epitomises the imaginative, funny and enthralling love of storytelling which he brought to everything he did. Shot in Bergen in western Norway and Newquay in Cornwall.
The Vidiot Reviews
capone66611 June 2013
The Witches
The most utilized potion in a witch's repertoire must be the starchy brew used to get their hats so pointy.
However, the hags in this fantasy are more interested in a new concoction that turns children into mice.
On his birthday, recently orphaned Luke (Jasen Fisher) heads to the shore with his ailing grandmother (Mai Zetterling).
Checked-in at the same seaside resort as a convention of witches, Luke's exposed to a new serum that transforms him into a mouse.
While the Grand High Witch (Anjelica Houston) and the rest of the coven try to exterminate him, Luke hatches a plan to give them a taste of their own medicine.
Based on Roald Dahl's book, The Witches contains his trademark dark wit and an imaginative narrative, all of which are accentuated by Jim Henson's witch designs.
Furthermore, with their surplus of brooms, the witches can clean hotel rooms for free board.
Green Light
vidiotreviews.blogspot.com
The most utilized potion in a witch's repertoire must be the starchy brew used to get their hats so pointy.
However, the hags in this fantasy are more interested in a new concoction that turns children into mice.
On his birthday, recently orphaned Luke (Jasen Fisher) heads to the shore with his ailing grandmother (Mai Zetterling).
Checked-in at the same seaside resort as a convention of witches, Luke's exposed to a new serum that transforms him into a mouse.
While the Grand High Witch (Anjelica Houston) and the rest of the coven try to exterminate him, Luke hatches a plan to give them a taste of their own medicine.
Based on Roald Dahl's book, The Witches contains his trademark dark wit and an imaginative narrative, all of which are accentuated by Jim Henson's witch designs.
Furthermore, with their surplus of brooms, the witches can clean hotel rooms for free board.
Green Light
vidiotreviews.blogspot.com
i've always thought this was a great movie
ryanmcirish10 March 2005
i've always thought this was a great movie since i was little, it was one of those movies that you'd go over to see at your grandma's on Halloween, just scary enough for a kid, where the'd be afraid, but not usually enough to give nightmares(although i can remember having a few from this- those with very small children be warned!) i felt that the tales that the grandmother spins are the tantalizing part of the movie, with them being treated as a joke in the beginning, but then going on to, not only back them up, but to show that they actually happened. i feel that this was a very well put together movie, and Anjelica Huston as the grand high witch gives the movie a special flavor, like she was meant to play the role. If i talk much more i'll end up giving the thing away, so i'll leave you with this- it's a wonderful movie for kids, and, for hose adults who haven't seen it, when watching, keep in mind that this is a children's movie:) enjoy!!
Wacky
Calicodreamin6 July 2020
One my favorite childhood ... and present.. movies!
parkguy50517 July 2004
This is a movie which is highly underrated. It is a fantastic adventure about a young boy and his wise grandma who go on vacation along the English coast. Unknowlingly running into Grandma's most feared enemy- the Grand High Witch. When Luke accidentally crosses paths with the Grand High Witch and her Witch minions, it is up to him, Bruno Jenkins, and Grandma to save all the children of England!
Anjelica Huston does a marvelous job at portraying the snobbishly aristocratic Eva Ernst as well as her unmasked counterpart, the evil Grand High Witch. She definitely steals the show in this one, although Mai Zetterling does give one that warm nurturing feeling as the wise but kind grandma. And Jasen Fisher did a good job as well.
Not only is the acting good, but the special effects.. or should i see puppets and makeup.. are marvelous! The grand high witch without her face mask is really a terrible sight! And the little mice, really puppets opposed to the technological computer created special effects, really work out great and give a more earthy feel non animated animal movies.
If your an adult and your looking for a nail biting psychological thriller your looking in a very wrong direction. But if you are looking for a classic, fun, adventure for all ages- I suggest you watch this. I give it an A+!!!!!!!!
Anjelica Huston does a marvelous job at portraying the snobbishly aristocratic Eva Ernst as well as her unmasked counterpart, the evil Grand High Witch. She definitely steals the show in this one, although Mai Zetterling does give one that warm nurturing feeling as the wise but kind grandma. And Jasen Fisher did a good job as well.
Not only is the acting good, but the special effects.. or should i see puppets and makeup.. are marvelous! The grand high witch without her face mask is really a terrible sight! And the little mice, really puppets opposed to the technological computer created special effects, really work out great and give a more earthy feel non animated animal movies.
If your an adult and your looking for a nail biting psychological thriller your looking in a very wrong direction. But if you are looking for a classic, fun, adventure for all ages- I suggest you watch this. I give it an A+!!!!!!!!
Apparently this gets a remake
nellz_nivlecn4 October 2020
I was around 8 when I accidentally came across this movie while browsing HBO all by myself at midnight. And I remember thinking heh this wasnt so bad, at that times I've never watched any movies about witches so naturally Im intrigued. I thought to myself this wasnt a horror movie, there are no ghost, I should be fine (while glancing at the clock which shows its 12.10, It was holiday season, so I was sleeping late). I also remember thinking wow this movie was kind of funny with the kids turned into mouse and trying to scheme their way round the witches. I was peachy, until the scene with all the witches removes their disguises and let me tell you, the kid me was frighthened, their makeup was truly horrifying and nightmare inducing. I legit got scared and almost turned off the TV but instead I soldiered on, convincing myself that it wasnt so bad.
And im glad when I finished it, its pretty good, almost smug at myself for finishing a scary movie at midnight all by myself.
This movie, no matter how ridiculous the plot was, managed to captured the attention of 8 years old me where my interests at that time were pokemon and sailor moon and despite only watching this only one time, it stays with me. I would think of this movie once in a while later on and thought that maybe this was a small independence movie that not many people knew about, I dont even know what the title was. So imagined my surprise when I saw the new trailer for The Witches starring anne hathaway, octavia spencer and stanley tucci! I genuinely thought that Hey! They plagiarized that old movie! But apparently the OG movie was a well known and had a cult following.
I dont really know what is it about this movie that has such lasting impressions for me that I can remember it clearly even if I've only watched them one time, maybe its the story, maybe its the talking rats, maybe its the harrowing make up, maybe its all of them. Its a weird cocktail of a movie, its a kid's movie, its s family movie, its a horror movie but also it's a comedy movie.
Ps. I also remember that I truly salivating with the cress soup scene. They seemed so appetizing at midnight and everyone seemed so engrossed in eating them LOL.
This movie, no matter how ridiculous the plot was, managed to captured the attention of 8 years old me where my interests at that time were pokemon and sailor moon and despite only watching this only one time, it stays with me. I would think of this movie once in a while later on and thought that maybe this was a small independence movie that not many people knew about, I dont even know what the title was. So imagined my surprise when I saw the new trailer for The Witches starring anne hathaway, octavia spencer and stanley tucci! I genuinely thought that Hey! They plagiarized that old movie! But apparently the OG movie was a well known and had a cult following.
I dont really know what is it about this movie that has such lasting impressions for me that I can remember it clearly even if I've only watched them one time, maybe its the story, maybe its the talking rats, maybe its the harrowing make up, maybe its all of them. Its a weird cocktail of a movie, its a kid's movie, its s family movie, its a horror movie but also it's a comedy movie.
Ps. I also remember that I truly salivating with the cress soup scene. They seemed so appetizing at midnight and everyone seemed so engrossed in eating them LOL.
On a par with the rest of Dahl's movies (Willy Wonka , Matilda , James and the Giant Peach)
timefreezer712 December 2003
Yet another book by the famous storyteller Roald Dahl has been transferred to the silver screen. To be honest I have not read the book but I can assure you that the film consists of all the sinister irony, the creepiness and an amusing touch of morbidity which dominates all the fairy tales this fellow has printed on paper. The Witches is a rather forgotten little gem with a biting script, an engaging direction and entertaining performances from the entire cast. Roald Dahl (and consequently the writer and the director) made his own version of witchcraft. He used scary images and frightening themes not to insult the occult fans but simply to poke fun at some cliched lore and legends. As a result the film suffered from a severe identity crisis and failed to reach a target audience: a bit too dark for kids and the adults easily misjudged it as a run-of-the-mill childish corny movie. No wonder the film is to date an unknown fantasy flick. However for the lucky viewers it is a fondly remembered satire with a cult status.
Luke (Jasen Fisher) is a little boy whose parents take him on vacation to visit his grandmother Helga (Mai Zetterling). Helga has Norwegian origin and knows many things about witches, evil creatures which manage to lure small children only to kill them later. Apparently Helga has encountered a witch in her childhood. Luke seems to enjoy his grandmother's stories. When Luke's parents are killed in a car accident Helga takes the orphaned child under her custody and does her best to fill the void. When Luke is attacked by a strange woman who most probably was a witch, Helga realizes that her grandson has suffered enough already and needs a break. The two of them take a getaway trip to a luxurious British hotel by the seashore. During their residence in the hotel, a convention is being conducted by a group of women calling themselves "The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children." Their leader is Miss Ernst (Anjelica Huston), an aristocratic lady whose gothic and sharp characteristics seem to vaguely ring some bells in Helga's memory. Luke accidentally attends the convention only to find out it is actually a coven of the hideous witches his granny has described to the last detail. The witches hide their ugly real faces under masks. Miss Ernst is of course the notorious Grand High Witch, the most repelling, terrifying, powerful and infernal of them all. The Grand High Witch is fed up with her underlings and decides that enough time has been wasted: therefore she forms a master plan according to which they will eliminate easily all the children in the country. It is now up to Luke and Helga to save the United Kingdom from this massacre.
The imagery used by the director is effective and plays a crucial part for the atmosphere of the movie. Congratulations to the SFX and make up crew for their awesome depiction of the bare skulled sorcerers. Yeah, yeah it is quite scary for kids but whatever. Dahl never cared for stereotypes and neither should we. The whole concept is a multileveled parody: firstly the childish phobias of mean witches are depicted pleasantly. Secondly, the underlying metaphor the film tries to pull off at how cruel these social workers and charity people can be, instead of preventing the cruelty, is funny. There are also many other humorous scenes (obviously wanting to counter balance the scary ones) like when Bruno, an overweight spoiled rich bulimic boy who was transformed into a mouse by the witches, says compliantly to his freaked parents "Don't take it so hard mom! You did after all want me to lose weight, didn't you?" Speaking of the mouse, I would also like to make a reference to the professional puppeteering and dubbing SFX by Jim Henson which are very successful. Generally the effects for this movie are well crafted and not at all dated. The director also did a good job in setting the creepy scenes or the action sequences (like the finale).
The casting was also inspired. I liked seeing Fisher in the central role, not necessarily because he gives a standout performance but because we finally get a real character and not a piece of cardboard. Luke doesn't apply to any of the stereotypes we see in cinema generally. He is not the cute and painfully sappy sweet little boy, or the nerdy goof and he is definitely NOT the do-it-all superhero who destroys everything in his wind-blowing path (a la Dennis the Menace or Home Alone). Mai Zetterling (who is also the narrator) gives a warm performance as the wise grandmother and also the most dramatic one of the entire film. She provides therefore the human element of tragedy in the movie. Anjelica Huston arguably steals the show in a challenging role. She is exceptional being threatening and spooky (not necessarily in her real grotesque appearance but with her ice cold stare). The kid who plays Bruno adds much comic relief in an obviously preachy role about the sin of gluttony. Oh, there is also a cameo by a then obscure Rowan Atkinson who is sadly underused. For you obsessed Atkinson fans out there you may check him out in a verbal (albeit brief) character.
Enough said, I think. The Witches is a strange film which has a perfect (but misunderstood) balance between a dark fairy tale and a snicky adult satire. It is well worth watching for fantasy fans anywhere. I don't know if it is the best (or faithful) ADAPTATION of Dahl's novel, but I believe sincerely that it is the best MOVIE BASED on a Roald Dahl novel. Recommended? You betsa!!!!
THE WITCHES 8.5 / 10
Luke (Jasen Fisher) is a little boy whose parents take him on vacation to visit his grandmother Helga (Mai Zetterling). Helga has Norwegian origin and knows many things about witches, evil creatures which manage to lure small children only to kill them later. Apparently Helga has encountered a witch in her childhood. Luke seems to enjoy his grandmother's stories. When Luke's parents are killed in a car accident Helga takes the orphaned child under her custody and does her best to fill the void. When Luke is attacked by a strange woman who most probably was a witch, Helga realizes that her grandson has suffered enough already and needs a break. The two of them take a getaway trip to a luxurious British hotel by the seashore. During their residence in the hotel, a convention is being conducted by a group of women calling themselves "The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children." Their leader is Miss Ernst (Anjelica Huston), an aristocratic lady whose gothic and sharp characteristics seem to vaguely ring some bells in Helga's memory. Luke accidentally attends the convention only to find out it is actually a coven of the hideous witches his granny has described to the last detail. The witches hide their ugly real faces under masks. Miss Ernst is of course the notorious Grand High Witch, the most repelling, terrifying, powerful and infernal of them all. The Grand High Witch is fed up with her underlings and decides that enough time has been wasted: therefore she forms a master plan according to which they will eliminate easily all the children in the country. It is now up to Luke and Helga to save the United Kingdom from this massacre.
The imagery used by the director is effective and plays a crucial part for the atmosphere of the movie. Congratulations to the SFX and make up crew for their awesome depiction of the bare skulled sorcerers. Yeah, yeah it is quite scary for kids but whatever. Dahl never cared for stereotypes and neither should we. The whole concept is a multileveled parody: firstly the childish phobias of mean witches are depicted pleasantly. Secondly, the underlying metaphor the film tries to pull off at how cruel these social workers and charity people can be, instead of preventing the cruelty, is funny. There are also many other humorous scenes (obviously wanting to counter balance the scary ones) like when Bruno, an overweight spoiled rich bulimic boy who was transformed into a mouse by the witches, says compliantly to his freaked parents "Don't take it so hard mom! You did after all want me to lose weight, didn't you?" Speaking of the mouse, I would also like to make a reference to the professional puppeteering and dubbing SFX by Jim Henson which are very successful. Generally the effects for this movie are well crafted and not at all dated. The director also did a good job in setting the creepy scenes or the action sequences (like the finale).
The casting was also inspired. I liked seeing Fisher in the central role, not necessarily because he gives a standout performance but because we finally get a real character and not a piece of cardboard. Luke doesn't apply to any of the stereotypes we see in cinema generally. He is not the cute and painfully sappy sweet little boy, or the nerdy goof and he is definitely NOT the do-it-all superhero who destroys everything in his wind-blowing path (a la Dennis the Menace or Home Alone). Mai Zetterling (who is also the narrator) gives a warm performance as the wise grandmother and also the most dramatic one of the entire film. She provides therefore the human element of tragedy in the movie. Anjelica Huston arguably steals the show in a challenging role. She is exceptional being threatening and spooky (not necessarily in her real grotesque appearance but with her ice cold stare). The kid who plays Bruno adds much comic relief in an obviously preachy role about the sin of gluttony. Oh, there is also a cameo by a then obscure Rowan Atkinson who is sadly underused. For you obsessed Atkinson fans out there you may check him out in a verbal (albeit brief) character.
Enough said, I think. The Witches is a strange film which has a perfect (but misunderstood) balance between a dark fairy tale and a snicky adult satire. It is well worth watching for fantasy fans anywhere. I don't know if it is the best (or faithful) ADAPTATION of Dahl's novel, but I believe sincerely that it is the best MOVIE BASED on a Roald Dahl novel. Recommended? You betsa!!!!
THE WITCHES 8.5 / 10
Terrifying!
gavin694224 August 2017
A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.
This is a legitimately creepy and sometimes scary film... intended for kids. Allegedly Roald Dahl was not happy with the scary aspects and that is understandable. His work does have dark elements, but they are usually more subtle. (Willy Wonka is quite the devilish fiend!) Anjelica Huston is perfect as both the witch and her alter ego. The "vamp" look suits her and one might suppose this role is what lead to her being cast in "The Addams Family", as the similarities are striking.
This is a legitimately creepy and sometimes scary film... intended for kids. Allegedly Roald Dahl was not happy with the scary aspects and that is understandable. His work does have dark elements, but they are usually more subtle. (Willy Wonka is quite the devilish fiend!) Anjelica Huston is perfect as both the witch and her alter ego. The "vamp" look suits her and one might suppose this role is what lead to her being cast in "The Addams Family", as the similarities are striking.
You've all lost your minds.
bengiles29 November 2020
This film is ok for the first half an hour, but from then on the pacing is poor, and half of the film is a painful rendition of watching mice with voices running about, spliced with rubbish fat jokes and the 'humour' of things being shot from a mouse's perspective. It's also too scary for young children and not scary enough if you're 11 or over.
Its bad
Its bad
A Delightful Fantasy
krispykritter24 October 2004
This is the genuine article, a children's movie enjoyable by the whole family. It deals with the legends of evil witches by showing children that good overcomes evil. There is a good deal of slapstick and silliness that reminds older folks of the Hal Roach "Keystone Cops". However, the silliness never obscures the human message. This is also not a "Jackass" film with dangerous stunts for kids to try at home. For a change, love is portrayed as something true and valuable to be desired and pursued. The cast is excellent from top to bottom, with the best actors doing some of their sometimes most understated and often brightest over-the-top work. It has been a family favorite from coast to coast ever since it came out and our extended clan can't recommend it highly enough.
Better-than-average fantasy, but to whom is it intended to appeal?
moonspinner557 September 2005
Young boy and his wily grandmother (a surprisingly comfortable and energetic Mai Zetterling) vacation at a seaside resort and soon discover it is beset by child-hating witches. The almost-improbable screen-teaming of director Nicolas Roeg, writer Roald Dahl and effects wizard/puppeteer Jim Henson results in a predictably garish, uneven, occasionally off-putting venture which may actually intrigue grown-ups more so than kids. Some intense and amusing sequences stand out, as does Anjelica Huston's performance as the leader of the witches. Remarkable effects, a very interesting and colorful attempt, but hurt overall by too many chefs and a flabby final reel. **1/2 from ****
too scary for kids
novagirl1126 October 2020
This definitely would've been really scary if I had seen it as a kid! The special effects do seem to be impressive for the time it was filmed/released. I did notice a few plot holes. Oddly, despite the diversity in the group attending the witches' conference, visiting from all over (and including men in drag), there are no black women! Anyways, overall this is a pretty freaky movie. Would I watch it again? No. Would I watch the new remake? Yes.
it has everything
toodlooo7 August 2020
One my favorite childhood ... and present.. movies!
parkguy50518 July 2004
This is a movie which is highly underrated. It is a fantastic adventure
about a young boy and his wise grandma who go on vacation along the
English coast. Unknowlingly running into Grandma's most feared enemy-
the Grand High Witch. When Luke accidentally crosses paths with the
Grand High Witch and her Witch minions, it is up to him, Bruno Jenkins,
and Grandma to save all the children of England!
Anjelica Huston does a marvelous job at portraying the snobbishly aristocratic Eva Ernst as well as her unmasked counterpart, the evil Grand High Witch. She definitely steals the show in this one, although Mai Zetterling does give one that warm nurturing feeling as the wise but kind grandma. And Jasen Fisher did a good job as well.
Not only is the acting good, but the special effects.. or should i see puppets and makeup.. are marvelous! The grand high witch without her face mask is really a terrible sight! And the little mice, really puppets opposed to the technological computer created special effects, really work out great and give a more earthy feel non animated animal movies.
If your an adult and your looking for a nail biting psychological thriller your looking in a very wrong direction. But if you are looking for a classic, fun, adventure for all ages- I suggest you watch this. I give it an A+!!!!!!!!
Anjelica Huston does a marvelous job at portraying the snobbishly aristocratic Eva Ernst as well as her unmasked counterpart, the evil Grand High Witch. She definitely steals the show in this one, although Mai Zetterling does give one that warm nurturing feeling as the wise but kind grandma. And Jasen Fisher did a good job as well.
Not only is the acting good, but the special effects.. or should i see puppets and makeup.. are marvelous! The grand high witch without her face mask is really a terrible sight! And the little mice, really puppets opposed to the technological computer created special effects, really work out great and give a more earthy feel non animated animal movies.
If your an adult and your looking for a nail biting psychological thriller your looking in a very wrong direction. But if you are looking for a classic, fun, adventure for all ages- I suggest you watch this. I give it an A+!!!!!!!!
Your in for a treat
EdwardtheBlackPrince31 October 2021
Based off the book by Roald Dahl The Witches tells the story of a boy named Luke who after losing his parents goes to live with his grandmother after his grandmotherfalls ill with diabetes. It's advises they spend the summer by the sea at a hotel. While there luke stumbles across a convention of witches who plan to rid the world of all children. The longest time this was the the only Dahl adaptation I haven't seen. I always heard mention of it, so I decided to check it out .I have to say this films has all that humor and charm that the other filmslike Matilda or Willy Wonka. The film has fun with the story and the characters a likeable. How the main kids are so calm about being turned into mice. Bruno parents who are just stereotypical rich. Even small role for Mr bean himself Rowan Atkinson. Though of the most impactful is is Anjelica huston as the grand witch. The makeup used on her the boils and the loose skin is great. Andher accent just help adds to that creepy crone appearance. Though I have to say it's a fun movie, overall want really helps is it tone it taking very morbid and serious in some part, but still so silly at the same time.
Stunning
Inliten12 December 2002
The film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic ``The Witches" is a breathtaking spectacle that will delight a variety of viewers. Anjelica Huston is simply outstanding as "The Grand High Witch." She is the perfect actress to portray the dark, albeit laughable, character.
Luke (Jasen Fisher) is a young boy living with his grandmother, Helga (Mai Zetterling). Mai is perfectly cast as the doting, adventuresome grandmother. Helga regales Luke with stories of witches, dangerous creatures who seek to harm children.
I particularly liked the lack of Americanization in this film, as opposed to a similar counterpart, the adaptation of ``Matilda." The film stays true to the book for the majority. Unfortunately, the happy ending, which was loathed by Roald Dahl himself, detracts from the seemingly perfect adaptation.
In any event, 'The Witches' is sure to be a hit among kids (and adults as well). Anyone who has enjoyed the book is sure to enjoy this film version.
Luke (Jasen Fisher) is a young boy living with his grandmother, Helga (Mai Zetterling). Mai is perfectly cast as the doting, adventuresome grandmother. Helga regales Luke with stories of witches, dangerous creatures who seek to harm children.
I particularly liked the lack of Americanization in this film, as opposed to a similar counterpart, the adaptation of ``Matilda." The film stays true to the book for the majority. Unfortunately, the happy ending, which was loathed by Roald Dahl himself, detracts from the seemingly perfect adaptation.
In any event, 'The Witches' is sure to be a hit among kids (and adults as well). Anyone who has enjoyed the book is sure to enjoy this film version.
Bogvumper!
Groverdox23 January 2023
"The Witches" was a childhood favourite of mine. I hadn't seen it since I was a kid. There were a couple of scenes from it I'd never forgotten. One was the scene with the girl trapped in the painting, which I found very effective back then. The other was the great make-up and effects in the scene where the great high witch unveils herself.
Aside from that, though, I think the movie is lacking in structure. As was the book. It has some of the most memorable moments of Roald Dahl's oeuvre, but I think the plot isn't up to scratch. It doesn't feel like a fully formed story, with a beginning, middle and end. I think maybe both Dahl and the screenwriters rushed over the middle.
I will say that when I was a kid, the main character's grandmother looked to me like an old woman. Now I watch it as an adult, and she looks and seems much younger.
It's weird how that works.
Aside from that, though, I think the movie is lacking in structure. As was the book. It has some of the most memorable moments of Roald Dahl's oeuvre, but I think the plot isn't up to scratch. It doesn't feel like a fully formed story, with a beginning, middle and end. I think maybe both Dahl and the screenwriters rushed over the middle.
I will say that when I was a kid, the main character's grandmother looked to me like an old woman. Now I watch it as an adult, and she looks and seems much younger.
It's weird how that works.
The Witches Convention
claudio_carvalho8 May 2017
The boy Luke (Jasen Fisher) is spending vacation in Norway at the house of his grandmother Helga Eveshim (Mai Zetterling) house with his parents. She tells stories of evil witches and how her best childhood friend was kidnapped by a witch. Out of the blue, Luke's parents have a car accident and die and Helga becomes Luke's guardian. They move to England and one day, a woman approaches and speaks to Luke, but he identifies that she is a witch. One day, Helga falls ill and her doctor tells that it is her diabetes. She decides to travel to a seaside hotel to recover from her diabetes. On the arrival, Luke befriends the fat boy Bruno Jenkins (Charlie Potter) and has problems with the manager Mr. Stringer (Rowan Atkinson) because of his pet white mice. Meanwhile a group of women from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children arrive for a convention with their leader Miss Eva Ernst (Anjelica Huston). But soon Luke learns that Eva is indeed the Grand High Witch and their convention is to distribute a magic potion to turn boys into mice in England. When the Grand High Witch sees Luke, she turns him into a mouse. What will the boy do?
"The Witches" is one of the most delightful movies from the 90's. This film has not aged and the timeless story is wonderful no matter the age of the viewer. That cast is perfect and Anjelica Huston is fantastic in the role of a powerful witch. The make-up and special effects are magnificent and still impressive twenty-seven years later. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Convenção das Bruxas" ("Witches Convention")
"The Witches" is one of the most delightful movies from the 90's. This film has not aged and the timeless story is wonderful no matter the age of the viewer. That cast is perfect and Anjelica Huston is fantastic in the role of a powerful witch. The make-up and special effects are magnificent and still impressive twenty-seven years later. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Convenção das Bruxas" ("Witches Convention")
Great Comedy For Kids
screenman19 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Roald Dahl may not have enjoyed the towering (financial) success of J K Rowling, but he knew how to spin a good yarn for kids.
'The Witches' screens an excellent blend of The Master's dark story and British slap-stick humour, the whole thing realised in a seaside hotel that might be run by Basil Fawlty.
These witches have gathered at the hotel to finalise plans for the extermination of nasty, smelly children (good luck to 'em, I say). Ably led by Angelica Housten - who camps it up so far over the top as Grand High Witch that you almost wish she could win - they are going to put her master-plan into execution, using a particularly powerful magic poison.
Our young hero, staying there with his invalid grandmother, accidentally discovers their plan, and being captured, is turned into a mouse.
The whole adventure becomes a race against time to stop them before it's too late.
Dahl has such a dark humour that - brought to screen - almost qualifies for an adult rating. Some of the scenes of - what are, in effect, child cruelty - are singularly out of step with modern political-correctness (now there's a real poison). And some of the scenes of metamorphosis, especially amongst the witches, are almost the stuff of nightmares. This is certainly not suitable for tots. Rowan Atkinson's groping of the hotel staff may also raise an eyebrow or two amongst more sensitive viewers.
The movie has extremes. At one level it is hilarious, at another it is extremely creepy, then at another it seems oddly realistic, with people engaging in fractious and believable arguments. The switch from one situation to another is sometimes a little uneven. Rowan Atkinson plays a strange role as hotel manager; at once the rubber-faced clown of 'Mr Bean', then later as suave as one of his 'Blackadder' incarnations. Then, at other times he is the lecherous groper of room-maids. Once again, it's a little uneven.
Dahl can be shocking. He is a phenomenon you really need to have grown up with. He doesn't baulk at belching and farting, or even torture and cannibalism. And most kids love his anarchic style of story-telling. Enid Blyton he ain't. Despite the wobbly continuity of this movie, it offers a worthy presentation of his work that will have most kids, grown-up or not, thoroughly entertained.
'The Witches' screens an excellent blend of The Master's dark story and British slap-stick humour, the whole thing realised in a seaside hotel that might be run by Basil Fawlty.
These witches have gathered at the hotel to finalise plans for the extermination of nasty, smelly children (good luck to 'em, I say). Ably led by Angelica Housten - who camps it up so far over the top as Grand High Witch that you almost wish she could win - they are going to put her master-plan into execution, using a particularly powerful magic poison.
Our young hero, staying there with his invalid grandmother, accidentally discovers their plan, and being captured, is turned into a mouse.
The whole adventure becomes a race against time to stop them before it's too late.
Dahl has such a dark humour that - brought to screen - almost qualifies for an adult rating. Some of the scenes of - what are, in effect, child cruelty - are singularly out of step with modern political-correctness (now there's a real poison). And some of the scenes of metamorphosis, especially amongst the witches, are almost the stuff of nightmares. This is certainly not suitable for tots. Rowan Atkinson's groping of the hotel staff may also raise an eyebrow or two amongst more sensitive viewers.
The movie has extremes. At one level it is hilarious, at another it is extremely creepy, then at another it seems oddly realistic, with people engaging in fractious and believable arguments. The switch from one situation to another is sometimes a little uneven. Rowan Atkinson plays a strange role as hotel manager; at once the rubber-faced clown of 'Mr Bean', then later as suave as one of his 'Blackadder' incarnations. Then, at other times he is the lecherous groper of room-maids. Once again, it's a little uneven.
Dahl can be shocking. He is a phenomenon you really need to have grown up with. He doesn't baulk at belching and farting, or even torture and cannibalism. And most kids love his anarchic style of story-telling. Enid Blyton he ain't. Despite the wobbly continuity of this movie, it offers a worthy presentation of his work that will have most kids, grown-up or not, thoroughly entertained.
I don't know what to do with it
Polaris_DiB16 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Nicolas Roeg is my favorite director ever; Jim Henson stands as one of the best creators of children's and family entertainment in history, and his movies never really disappoint in terms of visual quirkiness and lovable characters; Roald Dahl has to be one of the most interesting individual children's author in the history of people assuming children's authors were really writing about very adult things (adult things even adults can't handle adult things). Whatever witch's brew mixed these together, the result has to be magic, and it is, it's just so hard to know what to do with.
The problem with The Witches is that it's too scary for children and it's too childish for adults. I'm never scared by movies, but the mouse-changing effects (to the point of giant seizuring bobble-heads!), Anjelica Huston peeling her face off, and the weird rubber witch/mouse mix at the end are stronger and more shocking variants of the type of stuff you'd find in The Howling series of movies or other schlock horror. For kids, that's pretty intimidating stuff. The film tries to make up for it with comedic relief in the form of the actual adventure story involving the young boy and his fat friend, Bruno, along with repeated instances of people getting freaked out by the mice (everyone in this movie is either afraid of mice or a witch themselves, save the lead characters), but the little kid's voice over is incessant and annoying. The movie has many really silly and fun situations (especially involving the hotel manager and the grandmother), but some strange moments that don't really seem to follow any logic at all (the whole thing with the baby in the cart).
It's certainly an enigmatic little film. I think if anything it shows that Roeg probably is a bit too zealous to make children's entertainment, and that Henson's well-regarded darker side can really go all out when asked. Oh, and that Roald Dahl was a strange man, but we knew that already.
--PolarisDiB
The problem with The Witches is that it's too scary for children and it's too childish for adults. I'm never scared by movies, but the mouse-changing effects (to the point of giant seizuring bobble-heads!), Anjelica Huston peeling her face off, and the weird rubber witch/mouse mix at the end are stronger and more shocking variants of the type of stuff you'd find in The Howling series of movies or other schlock horror. For kids, that's pretty intimidating stuff. The film tries to make up for it with comedic relief in the form of the actual adventure story involving the young boy and his fat friend, Bruno, along with repeated instances of people getting freaked out by the mice (everyone in this movie is either afraid of mice or a witch themselves, save the lead characters), but the little kid's voice over is incessant and annoying. The movie has many really silly and fun situations (especially involving the hotel manager and the grandmother), but some strange moments that don't really seem to follow any logic at all (the whole thing with the baby in the cart).
It's certainly an enigmatic little film. I think if anything it shows that Roeg probably is a bit too zealous to make children's entertainment, and that Henson's well-regarded darker side can really go all out when asked. Oh, and that Roald Dahl was a strange man, but we knew that already.
--PolarisDiB
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