The Witches (1990)
December 31st 2008 09:42
Directed by:- Nicolas Roeg.
Starring:- Jasen Fisher, Helga Eveshim, Anjelica Huston, Rowan Atkinson.
When I first read Roald Dahl's book entitled 'The Witches', I was impressed by their descriptions, and the way the witches blended in with society. Creepy and imaginative. No toes, squared off feet, purple eyes, wigs to hide their bald heads, and the hideous concoction known as formula 86. Entertaining, but in Roald Dahl style, as there was something insidiously fascinating about this little tale.
1. The production appears to be low key at the start, almost in documentary style, which introduces the creepy imagery of the tale well. It is in this style that we are introduced to the witch’s devilry, revealed in incidents such as children disappearing, never to be seen again, only to reappear and eventually grow old within paintings. Creepy.
2. The casting of the film seems appropriate overall. The first witch that the stories protagonist (Luke) encounters, both looks the part and expresses an uncomfortable amount of enthusiasm in all scenes appeared. The tree house scene is creepy. Bwaaa haa haa.
3. Angelica Houston. Although not clocking up huge amounts of screen time, she is fantastic in this. Interestingly, Road Dahl was most pleased with this choice as she was also his first choice for the Grand High Witch. Her deep charismatic voice and sharp androgynous features make her a standout here. She does creepy very well too.
4. The camera angles here are fairly distinct. Lots of shots looking upwards accentuates both the witch’s features and the general sense of movement within the film. Although effective, at times the sharp angles make one feel dizzy and are a little over used.
5. The location, which is good, adds to the film. The Hotel is shot in Cornwall, southern England, which provides a picturesque chase scene with a runaway baby.
6. Mouse scenes. The filming of these are quite clever, making me wonder how trained can a mouse be?! Theses scenes, although happening in the book, seemed to go on a bit long when transferred to film. I was tired of seeing mouse movements by the end.
7. The ending! I loved Roald Dahl’s ending where the boy stays a mouse. Much more dastardly and evil. I didn’t mind a bit of cheese through the films happier ending, however Roald Dahl’s creepy magic gets taken away here a little.
Bwwwaa haaa haaa.
Enjoyable overall though, and worth a look.
Three and a half bananas out of five.
Starring:- Jasen Fisher, Helga Eveshim, Anjelica Huston, Rowan Atkinson.
When I first read Roald Dahl's book entitled 'The Witches', I was impressed by their descriptions, and the way the witches blended in with society. Creepy and imaginative. No toes, squared off feet, purple eyes, wigs to hide their bald heads, and the hideous concoction known as formula 86. Entertaining, but in Roald Dahl style, as there was something insidiously fascinating about this little tale.
2. The casting of the film seems appropriate overall. The first witch that the stories protagonist (Luke) encounters, both looks the part and expresses an uncomfortable amount of enthusiasm in all scenes appeared. The tree house scene is creepy. Bwaaa haa haa.
3. Angelica Houston. Although not clocking up huge amounts of screen time, she is fantastic in this. Interestingly, Road Dahl was most pleased with this choice as she was also his first choice for the Grand High Witch. Her deep charismatic voice and sharp androgynous features make her a standout here. She does creepy very well too.
4. The camera angles here are fairly distinct. Lots of shots looking upwards accentuates both the witch’s features and the general sense of movement within the film. Although effective, at times the sharp angles make one feel dizzy and are a little over used.
5. The location, which is good, adds to the film. The Hotel is shot in Cornwall, southern England, which provides a picturesque chase scene with a runaway baby.
6. Mouse scenes. The filming of these are quite clever, making me wonder how trained can a mouse be?! Theses scenes, although happening in the book, seemed to go on a bit long when transferred to film. I was tired of seeing mouse movements by the end.
7. The ending! I loved Roald Dahl’s ending where the boy stays a mouse. Much more dastardly and evil. I didn’t mind a bit of cheese through the films happier ending, however Roald Dahl’s creepy magic gets taken away here a little.
Bwwwaa haaa haaa.
Enjoyable overall though, and worth a look.
Three and a half bananas out of five.
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