The Witches (1990)

Fantastic film from start to finish.The story, the characters, the actors, all brilliant.I loved it and still do. I recommend to kids and adults alike.

I had to rate this 10.I saw it has a 6.8, and that's just not good enough. My son is 4 and I just let him watch this movie for Halloween. Its by far the scariest movie he could watch. This is not a 10 for adult movies, just kid movies. If you want to scare a kid for Halloween show them this. Its a shame so many people do not know about this movie. This should easily be a cult classic. There is no other movie like this one. Its horrific, but no 4 letter words, and 100% what you would want for a family movie aimed at scaring kids. This will also make them afraid of strangers.

The Witches The most utilized potion in a witch's repertoire must be the starchy brew used to get their hats so pointy.However, the hags in this fantasy are more interested in a new concoction that turns children into mice.On his birthday, recently orphaned Luke (Jasen Fisher) heads to the shore with his ailing grandmother (Mai Zetterling).Checked-in at the same seaside resort as a convention of witches, Luke's exposed to a new serum that transforms him into a mouse.While the Grand High Witch (Anjelica Houston) and the rest of the coven try to exterminate him, Luke hatches a plan to give them a taste of their own medicine.Based on Roald Dahl's book, The Witches contains his trademark dark wit and an imaginative narrative, all of which are accentuated by Jim Henson's witch designs.Furthermore, with their surplus of brooms, the witches can clean hotel rooms for free board.Green Light vidiotreviews.blogspot.com

Rated "8" because the special effects are outstanding. Otherwise a solid "7" because it is a disturbingly scary film that should be rated PG-13. Also, the pacing is a bit off, as the last 30 minutes seems rushed. As an adult, I can appreciate the fantastic make-up on Angelica Huston as the Grand High Witch, but it is really too scary for little children. Jim Henson's Creature Shop's work is superb and Rowan Atkinson ("Mr. Bean") ineptly manages the hotel where the witches hold their convention. Luke and Bruno are turned into mice as a test for a magical formula meant to eradicate children around the entire world. The talking mice are amazing; animatronic puppets like the Doozers of Fraggle Rock. Please note that in Dahl's book, Luke does not become a real boy again. Luke remains a mouse and intends to do battle with the witches in America. In my Warner Bros. DVD release, the boy is returned to human form by the "good witch" at the very last moment which changes the film, making it more "kid-friendly". (I don't think that this is the original ending on the initial release of this film, after reading the critical reviews.) The make-up and special effects are outstanding for a movie made long before CGI. More fun to watch the second time around, as when the witches turn into mice it is truly startling but less disturbing! Angelica Huston's make-up and prosthetics are just deliciously scary!Especially recommended for all adult Jim Henson fans and children old enough to view "Harry Potter" movies. It was Henson's last film project before his untimely death. Great Halloween fun.