Classic Review: The Witches (1990)

The Witches is a kid’s film that both entertains and frightens the bejesus out of children.

Some aspects are just beyond fun, but the film never shies away from the scary parts as well. Which is quite a good thing, since most children content try to be cute and sweet. Based on Roald Dahl’s dark fantasy novel, The Witches tells the story of Luke (Fisher), an English kid who just lost both his parents in a car accident as custody of him is awarded to his Norwegian grandmother Helga (Zetterling). She tells him all he needs to know to recognize witches, who live among us and whose primary objective in life is to wipe the Earth of little children. When the two go to the English seaside for the weekend they end up staying in the same hotel where is happening a convention for the protection of children, an actual disguise for a witch gathering head by the Grand High Witch (Huston) who came up with a plan to end all children in England at the same time. So, they fight back, not without setbacks.

The Witches starts in Norway, giving it the perfectly creepy setting and mood. One is instantly taken away from their comfort zones, especially because the locations and lighting give it all a timeless, out of this world feel. Sometimes it seems like we are watching a period film and then on the next moment we remember it’s a modern story. But the actual fun starts when Luke and Helga check into the hotel. There is where the comedy and the adventure really take place, and both are delicious and very well balanced. Director Roeg mixes the genres with ease, especially complimented by the supporting cast that includes Rowan Atkinson and Brenda Blethyn as Mr. Stringer and Mrs. Jenkins respectively.

Ultimately, The Witches‘ main source of entertainment was Huston as the Grand High Witch. Her performance is perfectly balanced here. Huston, a very commanding actress who was at the top of her game at the time just chews the scenery and everything around her. It’s impossible not to be completely drawn to her performance. She’s just amazing. And when she shows her true face, it’s terrifying. Besides the main cast, the film has other sources of enjoyment. While it may feel a bit dated today, it’s not because it’s not fun but rather for how films have became more and more ambitious over the years. Luke’s adventures are still very engaging, especially because we can relate to him: he just lost his parents, he’s lost, and his grandmother is the only person he has in the world.

The visual effects are also worth mentioning as Jim Hanson’s work here is so compelling. It’s very 80’s so, again, it’s dated. But it also feels so perfectly placed and magical, in a way. Special effects are amazing on their own, and it’s impossible not to be mesmerized by some of them. But for every Avatar (the Na’vi eyes are just incredibly expressive) you have a bunch of VFX that just seems unrealistic and distant. It takes audiences’ out of the picture instead of pulling them in. They’re cold, while visual effects and animatronics, when done right, fit way smoother to the narrative. That’s why Baby Yoda is so adorable in The Mandalorian, and that is why the original Star Wars’ trilogy Yoda is far more convincing than his later appearances. The Witches has plenty of those visual effects. Some of them are adorable, like the mice kids, some of them are hilarious (the witches shedding their covers) and some are terrifying (the Grand High Witch’s real look).

In the end, The Witches is a fun 80’s film and the perfect throwback to that period.

still courtesy of IMDb

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