The Witches (1990)

Director:

Nicolas Roeg

Writers (WGA):

Roald Dahl (book)
Allan Scott (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 August 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Family | Horror

Tagline:

Saving the world from witches is a tall order for a boy they've turned into a mouse!

Plot:

A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.

Plot Keywords:

Young Boy | Mouse | Hotel | Witch | Convention

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Anjelica Huston	...	Miss Eva Ernst / Grand High Witch
Mai Zetterling	...	Helga Eveshim
Jasen Fisher	...	Luke Eveshim
Jane Horrocks	...	Miss Irvine
Anne Lambton	...	Woman in Black
Rowan Atkinson	...	Mr. Stringer
Bill Paterson	...	Mr. Jenkins
Brenda Blethyn	...	Mrs. Jenkins
Charlie Potter	...	Bruno Jenkins
Sukie Smith	...	Marlene
Rose English	...	Dora
Jenny Runacre	...	Elsie
Annabel Brooks	...	Nicola
Emma Relph	...	Millie
Nora Connolly	...	Beatrice

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Norway:10 | Iceland:L | Iceland:LH | West Germany:6 (f) | Netherlands:6 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8 | Germany:6 (video rating) | Peru:PT | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | USA:PG | UK:PG (cut)

Filming Locations:

Bergen, Hordaland, Norway

Company:

Jim Henson Company, The

Trivia:

It took Anjelica Huston eight hours of make up time to prepare her for her transformed role of "The Grand High Witch".

Goofs:

Continuity: The card in the witch's hand, when she says she smells dogs droppings.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Helga: When your father was a boy like you, and living with me here in Norway, I told him about witches too, so that he would always be aware. Now, the most important thing you should know about real witches is this - now listen very carefully! Real witches dress in ordinary clothes, and look very much like ordinary women. They live in ordinary houses, and they work in ordinary jobs.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Muppet Babies: Nice to Have Gnome You (#8.5)" (1991)

A Delightful Fantasy

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.