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IMDbPro

The Witches

  • 19901990
  • PGPG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
49K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,908
204
Anjelica Huston, Jasen Fisher, and Mai Zetterling in The Witches (1990)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:09
4 Videos
71 Photos
  • Adventure
  • Comedy
  • Family
A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
49K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,908
204
  • Director
    • Nicolas Roeg
  • Writers
    • Roald Dahl(based on the book by)
    • Allan Scott(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Anjelica Huston
    • Mai Zetterling
    • Jasen Fisher
Top credits
  • Director
    • Nicolas Roeg
  • Writers
    • Roald Dahl(based on the book by)
    • Allan Scott(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Anjelica Huston
    • Mai Zetterling
    • Jasen Fisher
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 198User reviews
    • 70Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos4

    The Witches
    Trailer 1:09
    The Witches
    Shot for Shot: 'The Witches' (2020) vs. 'The Witches' (1990)
    Clip 0:52
    Shot for Shot: 'The Witches' (2020) vs. 'The Witches' (1990)
    The Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2020
    Clip 2:57
    The Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2020
    Our Favorite On-Screen Witches
    Clip 3:43
    Our Favorite On-Screen Witches

    Photos71

    Jasen Fisher in The Witches (1990)
    Rowan Atkinson, Anjelica Huston, Jasen Fisher, and Mai Zetterling in The Witches (1990)
    Angelique Rockas in The Witches (1990)
    Angelique Rockas in The Witches (1990)
    Jane Horrocks, Anjelica Huston, Jasen Fisher, Anne Lambton, and Angelique Rockas in The Witches (1990)
    Jane Horrocks in The Witches (1990)
    Mai Zetterling in The Witches (1990)
    Anjelica Huston in The Witches (1990)
    Mai Zetterling in The Witches (1990)
    Anne Lambton in The Witches (1990)
    Anjelica Huston in The Witches (1990)
    Jane Horrocks and Anjelica Huston in The Witches (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anjelica Huston
    Anjelica Huston
    • Miss Ernstas Miss Ernst…
    Mai Zetterling
    Mai Zetterling
    • Helgaas Helga
    Jasen Fisher
    Jasen Fisher
    • Lukeas Luke
    Rowan Atkinson
    Rowan Atkinson
    • Mr. Stringeras Mr. Stringer
    Bill Paterson
    Bill Paterson
    • Mr. Jenkinsas Mr. Jenkins
    Brenda Blethyn
    Brenda Blethyn
    • Mrs. Jenkinsas Mrs. Jenkins
    Charlie Potter
    Charlie Potter
    • Bruno Jenkinsas Bruno Jenkins
    Anne Lambton
    Anne Lambton
    • Woman in Blackas Woman in Black
    Jane Horrocks
    Jane Horrocks
    • Miss Irvineas Miss Irvine
    Sukie Smith
    • Marleneas Marlene
    Rose English
    • Doraas Dora
    Jenny Runacre
    Jenny Runacre
    • Elsieas Elsie
    Annabel Brooks
    • Nicolaas Nicola
    Emma Relph
    • Millieas Millie
    Nora Connolly
    • Beatriceas Beatrice
    Rosamund Greenwood
    • Janiceas Janice
    Angelique Rockas
    • Henriettaas Henrietta
    • (as Anjelique Rockas)
    Ann Tirard
    Ann Tirard
    • Lady 1as Lady 1
    • (as Anne Tirard)
    • Director
      • Nicolas Roeg
    • Writers
      • Roald Dahl(based on the book by)
      • Allan Scott(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Liccy Dahl has stated that Roald Dahl never again requested someone for a role in his book after the producers of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) denied his request to cast Spike Milligan as the title character. But he was ecstatic when Anjelica Huston was cast as the Grand High Witch, as she had been Dahl's personal favorite for the role.
    • Goofs
      When the Grand High Witch and her assistant enter her room while Luke gets the formula, they're wearing pointy shoes. Earlier, it was mentioned that witches never wear pointy shoes. However, the original book suggest the Grand High Witch does wear pointed shoes to great discomfort and hates wearing them, this fact is not mentioned in the movie to explain the shoes.
    • Quotes

      Beatrice: [to another witch, under her breath] We can't possibly wipe out all of them.

      Grand High Witch: Who spoke? Who dares to argue with me.

      [she notices Beatrice, points to her]

      Grand High Witch: It was you!

      Beatrice: I didn't mean to argue, your grandness.

      Grand High Witch: You dare to argue with me!

      Beatrice: No, honestly, it just was a...

      Grand High Witch: A stupid witch who answers back, must burn till her bones are black!

      Beatrice: No, no!

      Grand High Witch: A foolish witch without a brain, must sizzle into fire and flame! A witch who dares to say I'm wrong, will not be with us... very long!

      [she zaps the witch with her eyes]

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits zooms towards the camera above an unknown snow landscape.
    • Alternate versions
      US version has happy ending added.
    • Connections
      Featured in Going Live!: Episode #3.30 (1990)

    User reviews198

    Review
    Top review
    A film that scared the hell out of me as a kid
    No doubt Roald Dahl is a great children's author but maybe perhaps children will feel less scared reading the book than seeing it on film!

    The story of a boy and his grandmother, finding out that the hotel they are staying at has a witches convention which is planning to turn all the children in England into mice is very well done. Though the major concerns I have is 1. The head witch in her real form 2. The scene when people turn into mice (espically the English kid) WARNING THOSE SCENES SCARE CHILDREN CAUSE IT SCARED ME! So parents, just put your arm around your kid the whole time, just in case.

    Performances are good, espically from Angelica Huston and Rowan Atkinson. Jasen Fisher is quite a cheesy lead to have, I reckon.

    A good family movie with very scary scenes so I'll warn you there.
    helpful•13
    7
    • Greatwhitewhale2
    • May 10, 2004

    FAQ5

    • Is The Witches based on a book?
    • What do we learn about witches from watching this movie?
    • What is Formula 86 and what does it do?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 24, 1990 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hexen hexen
    • Filming locations
      • Headland Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Lorimar Film Entertainment
      • Jim Henson Productions
      • The Jim Henson Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $10,360,553
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,221,402
      • Aug 26, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,360,553
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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