The Witches Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

After a boy loses his parents, he and his grandma stumble upon a witches’ convention in a hotel, where the witches plan to turn all children into mice, leading to a chaotic battle of tiny proportions.

🍿 The Witches: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Orphaned and Introduced to Witches

Luke, a young boy, is orphaned and goes to live with his grandmother, Helga, in England. Helga shares her extensive knowledge of witches, describing their child-hating nature and unique physical traits. These stories set the stage for the dangers to come. Luke’s initial skepticism soon turns to concern.

The Hotel and the Convention

Helga and Luke vacation at a seaside hotel where they encounter a gathering of women. Luke discovers that the women are actually witches holding a convention, led by the Grand High Witch, Miss Ernst. He overhears their horrifying plan to turn all the children of England into mice using a magical potion. Luke quickly learns that his grandmother’s tales are not just stories, and he is thrust into a real-life nightmare.

Transformation and Resistance

Luke is discovered by the witches and transformed into a mouse. Despite his transformation, he retains his human intellect and, with the help of his grandmother, plots to thwart the witches’ plan. They use their knowledge of the witches’ weakness to fight back. The transformed Luke, along with Bruno, another boy turned mouse, becomes a key figure in the resistance.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Luke (Jasen Fisher): A recently orphaned young boy who uncovers a coven of witches and becomes a mouse in their plot to eliminate children.
• Helga (Mai Zetterling): Luke’s knowledgeable grandmother, who is an expert on witches and helps him thwart their evil plans.
• Miss Ernst/Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston): The terrifying leader of the witches, disguised as a sophisticated woman, who plots to turn all children into mice.
• Bruno Jenkins (Charlie Potter): An overweight, gluttonous boy who befriends Luke and also falls victim to the witches’ transformation.
• Mr. Stringer (Rowan Atkinson): The snooty hotel manager who unwittingly provides the setting for the witches’ convention.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Grand High Witch: “I detest children!” – The Grand High Witch emphatically declares her hatred for children, setting the stage for her evil plan.
• Grand High Witch: “Vee must get rid of zem! Exterminate zem! Liquidize zem!” – She outlines her sinister plot to eradicate children, showcasing her ruthlessness.
• Helga: “As long as you live, somewhere in this wide world, a witch is always plotting away.” – Luke’s Grandma explains that the witches are out there and he should be aware of this all his life.
• Grand High Witch: “You dare to argue with me!” – The Grand High Witch chastises one of her followers for questioning her authority.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $11,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,360,553
• Worldwide Gross: $10,363,364

💥 The Witches Reviews

Personal Review

I watched “The Witches” as a kid, and it scared me silly! Anjelica Huston’s Grand High Witch was the stuff of nightmares. But revisiting it now, I appreciate its dark humor and the creativity of the special effects. The scene where she peels off her face? Still creepy! It’s a movie that stays with you, and I love how it doesn’t talk down to kids. Highly recommend for a slightly spooky family night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Roald Dahl’s books”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dark fantasy films with a touch of humor”
  • “Those interested in practical effects and creature design”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Scary imagery (witches’ appearances)”
  • “Themes of child endangerment”
  • “Brief violence and peril”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Anjelica Huston’s memorable performance and the film’s darkly comedic tone make it a surprisingly enjoyable adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic, even if it’s a bit too scary for very young viewers.
• IMDB: “The Witches offers a unique blend of fantasy, horror, and comedy that delights adult and child viewers. The practical effects are impressive, and Anjelica Huston’s performance is both terrifying and funny.
• AllMovie: “Director Nicolas Roeg’s dark vision, combined with Jim Henson’s puppetry and Anjelica Huston’s powerful presence, makes The Witches a compelling and somewhat unsettling family film.

Audience Reactions

Anjelica Huston’s performance as the Grand High Witch is iconic and unforgettable.: The blend of horror, comedy, and fantasy resonates with audiences of all ages.

The practical effects and creature design from Jim Henson’s studio still hold up well.: The film strikes a unique balance between being scary and fun.

Overall Consensus: A well-regarded adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel, praised for its dark humor, Anjelica Huston’s performance, and the use of practical effects, though some find it too scary for young children.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Performance by a Younger Actor)- 1991

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Roald Dahl was initially unhappy with the film’s ending, as it deviated from his book’s darker conclusion. He reportedly envisioned a different, more ambiguous resolution.”
• “Anjelica Huston’s transformation makeup took hours to apply and was quite uncomfortable for her, but she embraced the role and gave a memorable performance.”
• “The film utilized a combination of practical effects and puppetry from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, creating a unique blend of realism and fantasy. The mice were primarily puppets rather than CGI.”
• “Many of the child actors found the witch makeup genuinely frightening, which added to the authenticity of their reactions in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Witches?

As of October 2024, “The Witches” (1990) is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings as availability can change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Witches, you might like these similar films:

• Hocus Pocus (1993): A family-friendly horror-comedy with witches as antagonists, featuring comedic elements and supernatural themes.
• Matilda (1996): Based on another Roald Dahl book, featuring a child protagonist with extraordinary abilities overcoming cruel adults and absurd situations.
• Labyrinth (1986): Features practical effects and fantasy elements from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, creating a similar visual style and sense of wonder.
• Goosebumps (2015): A modern horror-comedy for families where monsters from stories come to life, requiring kids to use their wits to save the day.
• The Worst Witch (1986): About a young witch and her misadventures at a school for witches, that combines light fantasy and comedy.

🛒 The Witches Related Products

• Roald Dahl’s The Witches (Puffin Books): The original novel that inspired the movie, filled with Roald Dahl’s signature dark humor and imaginative storytelling. Relive the original tale and compare it to the film adaptation.
• The Witches (1990) [Blu-ray]: The Witches in high definition to enjoy all the scary scenes in high definition. A great gift for fans!
• Funko Pop! Movies: The Witches – Grand High Witch: A Funko Pop of the Grand High Witch, perfect for displaying your love for this classic movie and its iconic villain. The level of detail really highlights the sinister side of the character
• The Witches Movie Poster: Decorate your walls with the original poster and feel the halloween vibes. You will love the nostalgic vibes it brings!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Witches features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “End Titles” – performed by Stanley Myers
• “Transformation” – performed by Stanley Myers
• “Happy Birthday” – performed by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Witches (1990/2020) side-by-side comparison

Ever wondered how the original ‘The Witches’ compares to the remake? This video breaks it down scene by scene – it’s wild to see how different they are, and honestly, makes me appreciate the original even more!

The Witches (1990) Movie Analysis – Was Grandma a Witch Hunter?

Think you know everything about ‘The Witches’? This analysis dives into some possible plot holes and fan theories, like…was Grandma actually a witch hunter? It’s a fun watch and might change how you see the movie!

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