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:

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

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

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

Miss Hardbroom: You should be finished by now girls. A laughter potion should be made quickly, in case it's needed in an emergency.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Tyler Perry's Boo! A Madea Halloween (2017)

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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

Great cult classic for Halloween! I wonder if it inspired the book for Harry Potter?

I think this movie is somewhat of a cult classic for me. My parents had recorded it off of the TV for me when I was little, and it was tradition to watch it every Halloween. I think it's hard for people who are just seeing it for the first time to connect with it. With all the dazzling special effects of today and the better picture quality and all I could see how it could be lacking.

However, I'm on book 4 of the Harry Potter Series and I have to say it reminded me of this movie. I think there are many similarities between them... and not. The one thing Mildred has an instant knack for is flying as does Harry. Snipe is a potions teacher and hates Harry as does Miss Hardbroom to Mildred... I could go on, but this isn't quite the forum for it. But overall I could see how this movie could have been the inspiration for Harry Potter, but not enough to call it plagiarism as some people are.

Oh, and Tim Curry is so HOT in this!