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:

flying broomstick | school | girl | evil twin | witch | 

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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:

The Worst Witch

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

The Grand Wizard is the only male character in this television film. The rest of characters are girls and women.

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Goofs

When the girls are playing terror tag Dawn Undercover of the red team screams twice. The blue team only got one point, the other point never went up.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Miss Hardbroom: Morning, Miss Cackle.
Miss Cackle, Agatha: Good morning, Miss Hardbroom. Lovely morning.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

The Worst Witch (Growing Up Isn't Easy)
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Don Black
Performed by Bonnie Langford

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.