The Witches (1990)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

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 | England | Convention | Witch | Hotel

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

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Norway:10 | Iceland:L | Iceland:LH | West Germany:6 (f) | 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:

Cher was considered for the role of the Grand High Witch before Anjelica Huston was cast.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: G.H. witches mouth as she says, "A Bottle Containing Five Thousand Doses."

Quotes:

Miss Eva Ernst: What are you doing here?
Miss Irvine: The banquet, Miss Ernst.
Miss Eva Ernst: No, no, no, no! You must go to your room and prepare for...
Mr. Jenkins: Hello!
Miss Eva Ernst: ...tomorrow's flight. Yes.
[Waves to Mr. Jenkins]
Miss Eva Ernst: Have a good flight.
Miss Irvine: But it's our banquet!
Miss Eva Ernst: You are not here to enjoy yourself, you are here as my staff! Go to your room- *now*!
Miss Irvine: [long pause after Eva Ernst walks off] That's it! I quit!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Master Ninja II (#4.24)" (1992)

i've always thought this was a great movie

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!!