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This splendid adventure-fantasy from 1990 was adapted from Roald Dahl's book and directed by maverick British filmmaker Nicolas Roeg, who turned out to be a perfect (if seemingly unlikely) interpreter of Dahl's fiendishly clever tale of witchcraft in contemporary England. Scary, funny, and wildly entertaining, it's all about a young boy named Luke (Jasen Fisher) whose parents have died in a tragic accident, and whose grandmother (Mai Zetterling) takes him to a posh hotel in England, where a secret coven of witches is holding its annual convention. The Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston, in a scene-stealing performance) has decreed that all children in England be turned into mice, and Luke and his pal Bruno (Charles Potter) are the first victims on the list. That's when the movie magicians from Jim Henson's creature shop have their work cut out for them, turning Luke and Bruno into clever little rodents andThe Witchesinto a dazzling display of imaginative special effects, using a seamless combination of real mice and superb animatronic puppets. Director Roeg doesn't compromise the sinister edge of Dahl's story, but comedy gets equal time from the brilliant cast including Brenda Blethyn (fromSecrets and LiesandLittle Voice), Rowan Atkinson (ofBlack AdderandMr. Beanfame), and Jane Horrocks (Little Voice) as the Grand High Witch's beleaguered assistant. Although it was largely neglected during its brief theatrical release, this wonderful movie has since enjoyed a thriving appreciation on video--see it and you'll understand why.--Jeff Shannon
The Witches This is a great movie and it is one of my daughters favorite. I know once we get the movie it will be fine. For now. I ordered this product in July and it is not to arrive until sometime in Sept. any where from the 1st to the 28th of Sept.
.....and they lived happily ever after? That woman with the purple eyes and ugly square-toed shoes The one who's scratching at her scalp is certainly bad news!
Does she look faint when kids draw near or hold her nose and run? If women like this roam the world God bless us, everyone
Convention time at the hotel we goggle at the sight of Grand High Witch Angelica whose wig is on too tight
Her followers cheer gleefully as she takes off her mask revealing all her ghastly warts and gives them one big task
"Quit your jobs," the Chief Witch says "and open candy shops, free chocolate should do the trick we'll pull out all the stops"
The witches have an evil plan to rid the world of brats those stinky, smelly rotten kids will now be meals for cats
But all bad deeds must have a hitch their plan's been overheard a clever boy is eavesdropping and has heard every word
Soon he's crawling through the kitchens and dropping in the cress too many cooks DO spoil the broth and make an awful mess
The ending differs from the book it's really very sappy I'm sure Dahl's rolling in his grave because they made it happy
Rated: 3.5 stars
Amanda Richards, July 29, 2006
PS - The sound quality on this DVD is not up to standard, and you'll need to watch it with remote in hand to make volume adjustments. There are no sub-titles or closed-captioning, and the packaging is of the cheaper variety.Good scary movie for the kids. It's a good kinda scary. The kinda scary story you'd tell at the campfire. There's enough scares, comical elements, and good story to merit 5 stars. Too many movies don't cater to the whole family, WITCHES, I feel does.
