The Craft (1996)

A newcomer to a Catholic prep high school falls in with a trio of outcast teenage girls who practice witchcraft and they all soon conjure up various spells and curses against those who even slightly anger them.

Director:

Andrew Fleming

Writers:

Peter Filardi (story), Peter Filardi (screenplay),

Stars:

Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Tunney	...	Sarah Bailey
Fairuza Balk	...	Nancy Downs
Neve Campbell	...	Bonnie
Rachel True	...	Rochelle
Skeet Ulrich	...	Chris Hooker
Christine Taylor	...	Laura Lizzie
Breckin Meyer	...	Mitt
Nathaniel Marston	...	Trey
Cliff De Young	...	Mr. Bailey
Assumpta Serna	...	Lirio
Helen Shaver	...	Grace Downs
Jeanine Jackson	...	Jenny
Brenda Strong	...	Doctor
Elizabeth Guber	...	Laura's Friend
Jennifer Greenhut	...	Laura's Friend

Storyline

A new girl moves to a new city with her family to start a new life. She meets up with the girls who are very interested in the occult and together, the four of them have a seemingly unstopable power. They can do anything, from getting thier dream guys to like them to... the possibilities are limitless.

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Plot Keywords:

coven | spell | outcast | witch | occult | 

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Taglines:

Welcome to the Witching Hour

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some terror and violence, and for brief language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

3 May 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jóvenes brujas

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

JPY 18,757,700 (Japan) (20 December 1996)

Gross:

JPY 19,580,300 (Japan) (3 January 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

About the invocation scene, Sony Pictures' World Wide Web site at the time the film was featured on its website has to say: "The crew had to return to the location a second time to complete filming interrupted by several weird occurrences that even caused witch consultant Pat Devin to raise an eyebrow. As the fog rolled in at midnight, the four actresses used actual Wiccan rites and language to invoke powerful forces. Then, as Fairuza Balk's character Nancy attempts to invoke the deity Manon, a flock of bats hovered over the set and the tide rose dramatically, extinguishing the circle of candles. Witchcraft consultant Devin recalls that 'Manon, a fictitious creation for the film, sounds very close to Mananan, the Gaelic god of the sea. Luckily, we weren't all swept to sea!'" The Web site quotes director Andrew Fleming: "'Every time the girls started the ceremony, and only when they would start the ceremony, the waves would start coming up tremendously fast, pounding heavily. Then, right when Nancy says her line, "Manon, fill me," right at that exact moment, we lost power. It was a very strange thing.'"

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Goofs

In the French lesson, the teacher wrote on the board "Si vous aviez faites vos devoirs, vous comprendriez" (which means "If you would have done your homework, you'd understand"). Actually, it is supposed to be "Si vous aviez FAIT vos devoirs, vous comprendriez".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Nancy, Rochelle, Bonnie: Now is the time. This is the hour. Ours is the magic. Ours is the power. Now is the time. This is the hour. Ours is the magic. Ours is the power
[Repeat]

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Elves (2011)

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Soundtracks

"All This and Nothing"
Written Vinnie Dombroski
Produced by Ralph Sall
Performed by Sponge
Courtesy of Columbia Records

User Reviews

Yummy!

Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True all star in this yummy film of the mid 90's involving four hot and spicy young women at St. Bernhards Catholic School. Robin Tunney is a major hottie in this one, as she enters the unknown when joining a coven at her new school. With a history of blackness behind her, the most important thing she wants, is to have friends, what else could anyone need? That is when the bitching starts! One false word and you pay the price with these gals. Robin Tunney sizzles as the naive natural witch, with a power beyond good and evil. Neve Campbell: does not get any better than that, all in black. Rachel True is well cast as the misplaced black girl, whom puts every one else in their place. We all know, however, that the best actress award in this flick goes to Fairuza Balk, as she fries the role, and the rest of the film with an over-the-top performance. Balk milks the film for all it is worth, when bringing down the tone to a very black, violent,and witchy nature. Flemming does a magical job transforming these four beauties into guardians of the circle. When first heard of, this would sound like an A-class "Carrie" rip-off, but then watch it and realize, it deals with more than powers. It deals with the rules of the wicca generation, and history of the witch. Carrie White was an all powerful demon who stands the test of a different time, these babes, are 100% witches, and ready to turn you upside down! Great job Flemming, you brought us an exciting film, enjoyable over and over again.