Mary and the Witch's Flower (2017)

Based on "The Little Broomstick" by Mary Stewart, a strange flower grants a girl magic powers.

Directors:

Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Giles New

Writers:

Mary Stewart (based on the novel "The Little Broomstick" by) (as Mearî Suchuâtô), Riko Sakaguchi (screenplay by)

Stars:

Hana Sugisaki, Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Yûki Amami

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hana Sugisaki	...	Mary (voice)
Ryûnosuke Kamiki	...	Peter (voice)
Yûki Amami	...	Madam Mumblechook (voice)
Fumiyo Kohinata	...	Doctor Dee (voice)
Hikari Mitsushima	...	The Red-Haired Witch (voice)
Jirô Satô	...	Flanagan (voice)
Ken'ichi Endô	...	Zebedee (voice)
Eri Watanabe	...	Miss Banks (voice)
Shinobu Ôtake	...	Great-Aunt Charlotte (voice)
Ikue Ôtani	...	Tib (voice)
Lynn	...	Gib (voice)
Ruby Barnhill	...	Mary (voice)
Kate Winslet	...	Madam Mumblechook (voice)
Jim Broadbent	...	Doctor Dee (voice)
Ewen Bremner	...	Flanagan (voice)

Storyline

Mary is an ordinary young girl stuck in the country with her Great-Aunt Charlotte and seemingly no adventures or friends in sight. She follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest, where she discovers an old broomstick and the strange Fly-by-Night flower, a rare plant that blossoms only once every seven years and only in that forest. Together the flower and the broomstick whisk Mary above the clouds and far away to Endor College - a school of magic run by headmistress Madam Mumblechook and the brilliant Doctor Dee. But there are terrible things happening at the school, and, when Mary tells a lie, she must risk her life to try to set things right. Based on Mary Stewart's 1971 classic children's book "The Little Broomstick", "Mary and The Witch's Flower" is an action-packed film full of jaw-dropping imaginative worlds, ingenious characters, and the stirring, heartfelt story of a young girl trying to find a place in the world. Featuring the voices of Ruby Barnhill and Academy ...

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Plot Keywords:

witch | broomstick | flower | anime | magic | 

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Taglines:

From a single lie, everything will change.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some action and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Altitude Film Distribution [United Kingdom] Altitude Film Sales [United Kingdom]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

8 July 2017 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Mary and the Witch's Flower

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$330,052, 21 January 2018, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,418,404, 5 April 2018

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amuse, Chukyo TV, D.N. Dream Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hiromasa Yonebayashi screened the film for his former colleagues at Studio Ghibli. Hayao Miyazaki gave Yonebayashi a congratulations but said he wouldn't see the film. Toshio Suzuki and Isao Takahata both gave the movie praise and congratulated Yonebayashi on his work.

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Connections

Featured in The Chronic Rift: Some Things to Think About (2018)

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Soundtracks

RAIN
Music by Shin'ichi Nakajima (as Nakajin), Saori Fujisaki (as Saori) and Satoshi Fukase (as Fukase)
Lyrics by Saori Fujisaki (as Saori) and Satoshi Fukase (as Fukase)
Performed by Sekai no Owari (as SEKAI NO OWARI)
Courtesy of Toy's Factory

User Reviews

Magical

This film is absolutely wonderful. The animation is beautiful, and adds to the theme of magic perfectly. The soundtrack captures the tone wonderfully, as well as all the sound effects used. Many people wondered if the film would be on par with Studio Ghibli, since Studio Ponoc is a branch off from them. There is no question that this has the quality and feel of a classic Ghibli film that all fans can enjoy. The main character, Mary, is likeable and relatable. She is a sweet girl who is a bit awkward and doesn't feel like she fits in. This film shows that not all adults are what they appear to be, and cannot always be trusted. It also holds a strong underlying message against animal experimentation and cruelty. The plot is well structured, and her journey to accept who she is and do the right thing despite the circumstances is absolutely incredible. I would definitely recommend this film.