| The Witches |  | Director: Nicolas Roeg
Actors: Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Jasen Fisher, Jane Horrocks, Anne Lambton
Category: Video
Buy New: $16.27
New (2) Used (2) from $16.27
Rating:  91 reviews
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
EAN: 5014780067127
ASIN: B00004CKOO
Theatrical Release Date: August 24, 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com essential video
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 and The Witches into 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 (from Secrets and Lies and Little Voice), Rowan Atkinson (of Black Adder and Mr. Bean fame), 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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 86 more reviews...
 Great Halloween movie November 12, 2008
C. Kortz (Beverly Hills, MI USA)
My husband and I have enoyed this film for many years and purchased the dvd to update from our vhs copy. Lovely story with a great cast. To be watched for many years to come, young and old.
A childhood classic not to be missed! October 17, 2008
R. Pepper (Los Angeles)
I love the imagination of Roald Dahl who wrote the book for The Witches as well as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda. I have been impressed with all the film adaptions (including both versions of Charlie with Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp). I have a feeling this one slipped under the radar and it's such a charming, magical adventure story. Angelica Huston looks beautiful here as the Grand High Witch of England. This is one of my favorite Angelica movies next to The Addams Family and Manhatten Murder Mystery. The story revolves around young Luke who is left in the care of his grandmother Helga after his parents are tragically killed in an auto accident. The grandmother who has a history with witches gives Luke all the warnings about how to look for them. The Witches, disguised as "nice old ladies" roam throughout England looking to wipe out all the children they can. Luke and his grandmother then decide to a take a vacation to a seaside hotel where The Witches are holding their annual meeting. After Luke has an unfortunate encounter with The Witches, he and his grandmother decide to turn the tables by giving them a taste of their own medicine! The theme of the movie may seem scary for kids to watch but it's all handled nicely. This is a terrific and enjoyable family-film not to be missed! I think this is much superior to Hocus Pocus, another family film about witches.
perfect gift October 16, 2008
Donna M. Hall (Bluefield, Virginia)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought it for a present, I knew it was one of his favorite movies. thank you for the quick delivery!
loved it October 8, 2008
Veneta Skalkos (Melbourne, Australia)
My girls aged 7 and a half and 5 loved this movie,and so did I for that matter. From the moment Luke's grandmother starts telling him all about witches and how you could tell if someone is a witch, we were enthralled! If your kids get easily scared, then i wouldn't recommend it. If my nieces were to watch this they wouldn't be able to sleep by themselves for a month. Not that it's over the top scary, but just the theme of the movie might get some little ones paranoid. My kids love a great story and once we've watched it together, they'll watch it on their own afterward.
Great story and great special effects to keep the kids captivated.
"Enchanted", delightful fantasy August 23, 2008
Debi Pruitt (Huntsville, Alabama)
I bought this originally in VHS. Loved it so that I bought it on DVD. What a great movie for ALL ages. I watch it with my two grandaughters and watch it even alone. Absolutely a must see to transport you to a place where witches really exist. Luke was adorable and so lucky to have a wonderful grandmother to take care of him. She had her own experience with a witch when she was a child. Anjelica Houston was great and I cannot say enough about this fairtale-like presentation. Five stars!
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