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IMDbPro

The Witches

  • 19901990
  • PGPG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,165
264
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
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,165
264
    • Nicolas Roeg
    • Roald Dahl(based on the book by)
    • Allan Scott(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Anjelica Huston
    • Mai Zetterling
    • Jasen Fisher
    • Nicolas Roeg
    • 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

    Videos4

    The Witches
    Trailer 1:09
    Watch The Witches
    Shot for Shot: 'The Witches' (2020) vs. 'The Witches' (1990)
    Clip 0:52
    Watch Shot for Shot: 'The Witches' (2020) vs. 'The Witches' (1990)
    The Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2020
    Clip 2:57
    Watch The Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2020
    Our Favorite On-Screen Witches
    Clip 3:43
    Watch 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)
      • Nicolas Roeg
      • 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
      All UK versions were cut by 2 seconds to secure a PG rating. The mouse transformation was slightly shortened and a shot of a witch's bloody scalp when she removes her wig was removed.
    • 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
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    One my favorite childhood ... and present.. movies!
    This is a movie which is highly underrated. It is a fantastic adventure about a young boy and his wise grandma who go on vacation along the English coast. Unknowlingly running into Grandma's most feared enemy- the Grand High Witch. When Luke accidentally crosses paths with the Grand High Witch and her Witch minions, it is up to him, Bruno Jenkins, and Grandma to save all the children of England!

    Anjelica Huston does a marvelous job at portraying the snobbishly aristocratic Eva Ernst as well as her unmasked counterpart, the evil Grand High Witch. She definitely steals the show in this one, although Mai Zetterling does give one that warm nurturing feeling as the wise but kind grandma. And Jasen Fisher did a good job as well.

    Not only is the acting good, but the special effects.. or should i see puppets and makeup.. are marvelous! The grand high witch without her face mask is really a terrible sight! And the little mice, really puppets opposed to the technological computer created special effects, really work out great and give a more earthy feel non animated animal movies.

    If your an adult and your looking for a nail biting psychological thriller your looking in a very wrong direction. But if you are looking for a classic, fun, adventure for all ages- I suggest you watch this. I give it an A+!!!!!!!!
    helpful•34
    8
    • parkguy505
    • Jul 18, 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)
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • 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
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 31 minutes
      • Color

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