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IMDbPro

The Witches

  • 19901990
  • PGPG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
50K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,339
152
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
AdventureComedyFamily
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
50K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,339
152
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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
    • 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 Ernst…
    Mai Zetterling
    Mai Zetterling
    • Helga
    Jasen Fisher
    Jasen Fisher
    • Luke
    Rowan Atkinson
    Rowan Atkinson
    • Mr. Stringer
    Bill Paterson
    Bill Paterson
    • Mr. Jenkins
    Brenda Blethyn
    Brenda Blethyn
    • Mrs. Jenkins
    Charlie Potter
    Charlie Potter
    • Bruno Jenkins
    Anne Lambton
    Anne Lambton
    • Woman in Black
    Jane Horrocks
    Jane Horrocks
    • Miss Irvine
    Sukie Smith
    • Marlene
    Rose English
    • Dora
    Jenny Runacre
    Jenny Runacre
    • Elsie
    Annabel Brooks
    • Nicola
    Emma Relph
    • Millie
    Nora Connolly
    • Beatrice
    Rosamund Greenwood
    • Janice
    Angelique Rockas
    • Henrietta
    • (as Anjelique Rockas)
    Ann Tirard
    Ann Tirard
    • Lady 1
    • (as Anne Tirard)
    • Director
      • Nicolas Roeg
    • Writers
      • Roald Dahl(based on the book by)
      • Allan Scott(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more 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)
    • Soundtracks
      Happy Birthday
      (uncredited)

      Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill

    User reviews198

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Stunning
    The film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic ``The Witches" is a breathtaking spectacle that will delight a variety of viewers. Anjelica Huston is simply outstanding as "The Grand High Witch." She is the perfect actress to portray the dark, albeit laughable, character.

    Luke (Jasen Fisher) is a young boy living with his grandmother, Helga (Mai Zetterling). Mai is perfectly cast as the doting, adventuresome grandmother. Helga regales Luke with stories of witches, dangerous creatures who seek to harm children.

    I particularly liked the lack of Americanization in this film, as opposed to a similar counterpart, the adaptation of ``Matilda." The film stays true to the book for the majority. Unfortunately, the happy ending, which was loathed by Roald Dahl himself, detracts from the seemingly perfect adaptation.

    In any event, 'The Witches' is sure to be a hit among kids (and adults as well). Anyone who has enjoyed the book is sure to enjoy this film version.
    helpful•29
    8
    • Inliten
    • Dec 12, 2002

    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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