The Witches (1990)

 The Witches (1990)

If there was ever to be a movie made for kids that will absolutely scare younger children, The Witches would be the movie to see. As a kid, I had nightmares for days after watching Anjelica Huston and her merry band of witches terrorize children. Even this day, I am creeped out when I glimpse the witches. You can thank Jim Henson’s puppetry and Anjelica Huston’s magnificent performance for such horror. If anything, I would watch to see how impressive these practical effects were. This movie was actually Jim Henson’s last film before he passed away. It is a shame the rest of the movie does not live up to expectations set forth by the special effects and Anjelica Huston. When our main hero is converted into a mouse, he became a poorly written, slightly annoying character. His schtick with the hotel manager, played by Rowan Atkinson, is childlike and admittingly not for my age group. I just wish the script was better because there is so much to like here. Then again, you may have problems when the author of the book the film was based on, Roald Dahl did not approve of the final vision.

The film was directed by Nicolas Roeg, an offbeat choice for material geared towards children. His forte is these weird, indie-style films designed for adults. Even though some scenes are geared towards children, Roeg made the film darker and will easily frighten children. Upon viewing his initial cut, he had to edit the film even more because he felt that he crossed the line. This was the last film that Roald Dahl saw before his death. He did not like the film because the different ending when compared to his book. Roeg filmed two versions of the ending but chose the happier version. Dahl actually threatened a smear campaign because he was upset. I am personally glad there is a happier ending because children will be traumatized for life if they kept Dahl’s ending. It is already traumatizing enough as it is! I cannot say enough good things about the makeup, costume design, and visual aspects. The way Harvey Harrison kept his camera on Huston to make her looming over everyone else is a great way to make Huston scarier than she already was. Huston would spend more than six hours in the makeup chair getting prs

In strong fashion, we are introduced to Luke (Jasen Fisher) who would travel to Norway with his parents to visit his grandmother, Helga (Mai Zetterling). She would tell him stories about witches and how evil they are. She would also tell him how they exist in real life and how he can determine who is a witch or not. After a tragic accident, Luke moves in with his grandma and they move to a seaside hotel in England that is managed by a Mr. Bean-like man named Mr. Stringer (coincidentally played by Rowan Atkinson). His hotel plays host to a convention named The Prevention of Cruelty to Children (or anything but, really) led by Miss Eva Ernst (Anjelica Huston). He accidentally eavesdrops on a meeting and learns that the women in this group are witches and Miss Ernst is the Grand Witch. He learns of a plan to turn all children into mice. He may happen to be the very first child to be forced this magic potion. Can he save the world…as a mouse?

Anjelica Huston was given a chance to shine, and she runs away with that opportunity. Combined with perfect camera angles, she is downright terrorizing. Roeg also had the idea to use the tight black dress and ravishing lipstick to sexualize Huston’s looks. Of course, her transformation into her real witchy side may her look anything but sexy. The power of Jim Henson’s very strong puppetry! Jasen Fisher and Mai Zetterling have some strong chemistry, mainly in the beginning. Her storytelling skills are very fascinating. I was not really thrilled with Fisher’s performance opposite Rowan Atkinson or as a mouse, but kids will certainly eat it up.

I was not as big as a fan of The Witches as my counterparts. I did find much to enjoy whether that be Anjelica Huston’s deliciously evil performance or Jim Henson’s puppetry wizardry. The tone felt inconsistent to me. There are times where the film is in downright horror mode but other times where it felt like a bad children’s movie. That was my biggest issue with the screenplay. If you are a parent and you want to punish your children, maybe show them this movie. I certainly would have been terrified out of my wits.

My Grade: B-