The Worst Witch (1986)

Mildred is one of the young girls at a prestigious witch academy. She can't seem to do anything right and is picked on by classmates and teachers. The headmistress of the school, Miss ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Young

Writers:

Jill Murphy (book), Mary Pleshette Willis (adaptation)

Stars:

Diana Rigg, Charlotte Rae, Tim Curry

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Diana Rigg	...	Miss Constance Hardbroom
Charlotte Rae	...	Miss Cackle / Agatha Cackle
Tim Curry	...	The Grand Wizard
Fairuza Balk	...	Mildred Hubble
Sabina Franklyn	...	Miss Spellbinder
Su Elliot	...	Delilah
Danielle Batchelor	...	Maud Warlock
Anna Kipling	...	Ethel Hallow
Kate Buckley	...	Donna
Leila Marr	...	Pixie Brown
Liz May Brice	...	Zoe Chant-Vestry (as Lisa Brice)
Katrina Heath	...	Sophie Hattrick
Tara Stevenson	...	Gloria Hobgoblin
Laura Heath	...	Misty Meadow
Sophie Cook	...	Natalie Sinister

Storyline

Mildred is one of the young girls at a prestigious witch academy. She can't seem to do anything right and is picked on by classmates and teachers. The headmistress of the school, Miss Cackle, has an evil twin sister (Agatha) who plans to destroy the school. Can Mildred foil the plan before the Grand Wizard (Tim Curry) comes to the Academy for the Halloween celebration you'll never forget?!!

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Plot Keywords:

school | girl | evil twin | witch | teacher | 

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Taglines:

Things never go right for Mildred Hubble...

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Najgora Veštica

Filming Locations:

St. Michael's College, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Central Independent Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is one of three movies Fairuza Balk has been in that featured witches. The others were "Return to Oz," where she was hunted by a wicked witch, and "The Craft," where she was a wicked witch.

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Goofs

At times you can tell they are using a green screen effect for the flying that the cast does and Miss Spellbinder when she is conducting a flying class when the group have got their kittens and learning to fly. Also when Mildred has turned the bad witches into snails in the TV version of the film they had squeaky voices dubbed for the snails but in the film if you watch the same scene when Mildred, Miss Cackle and Miss Hardbroom are talking to the snails the squeaky voices are not there! Just silence.

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Quotes

Maud Warlock: [At the lunchroom, Mildred and Maude are looking at a portrait of the Grand Wizard] Oh, I think I'm in love.
Mildred Hubble: He makes me feel all squishy inside.
[they giggle]
Mildred Hubble: Don't you ever worry that you're just not cut out to be a witch?
Maud Warlock: Oh, no. My family were all witches. I never doubted for a moment that I'd be one too. Stop worrying, it only makes things worse.
Mildred Hubble: I don't worry, I question. My mother always wanted to be a witch. But she didn't have the gift. It's not that I want to be the best. I'm just so ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in DVD-R Hell: Deception of a Generation: Part 1 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Queen Aggie's School
performed by Charlotte Rae

User Reviews

FABULOUS!!!!!!!

Halloween is my favorite time of year specifically for the reason that HBO annually aired THE WORST WITCH! I have been watching this ever since 1986 & it just gets better each time! Fairuza Balk delivers a fun performance, as does Diana Rigg as the hard-edged Mrs. Hardbroom. But the cake has to go to Charlotte Rae (in a dual role) and the undeniable Tim Curry in a cameo. Charlotte role really shines as the Evil Queen Aggie, who along with her sidekick Delilah want to take back her school that her sister (Rae again) now runs. Not for the tuition money or the prestige, but just so she can bring back her song. BEAT ON IT DELILAH! "Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf. Dropped into the bottomless gulf. Venomous vipers come to us, covered in evil, ooze & puss! So if you're filthy!(FILTHY) Smelly! (SMELLY) Evil, wicked & cruel...you'll feel right at home in my little school. My lil school..Mine Mine MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMINE! Yeah!" Tim Curry later flies in (literally) as the Grand Dragon & delivers his own effects laden production number of "Anything can happen on Halloween." I don't know which were more unbelievable, the effects or Tim Curry as a sex symbol. Oh well to each his own. Ethel Hallow is ultimate foil & delivers a performance reminiscent of Nellie Olsen from Lil House on the Praire. Be sure to check it out.