Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9780790740881
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 0790740885
Label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Picture Format: Pan & Scan
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 1999-06-22
Running Time: 92
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1990-08-24

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Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: EXCELLENT MOVIE
Comment: Everything about this movie is first rate.The acting is A+, especially with a strong performance by Anjelica Huston leading the way.The plot however differs a bit from the book.However, I STRONGLY recommend this movie.My only regret is that I waited a long time to see it.Since I bought the DVD I have seen it multiple times.IMHO, the DVD is missing a making of featurette.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Excellent Young or Old
Comment: Angelica Huston, Jim Henson, and Roald Dahl all contribute to this fantasy masterpiece.

Angelica Huston is stunning and ghastly as Eva Ernst and the Grand High Witch, thanks to the puppetry and special effects of genius Jim Henson. And the whole story is based on the lovely children's literature of Roald Dahl. What a combination!!

The story of a curious boy who, while at a holiday resort, becomes embroiled in a coven of witches who plot to destroy as many children as possible!!

It is a great film for children and adults alike. Highly recommend.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Surprisingly enjoyable movie
Comment: I ran across this movie title completely by accident. I was glancing through a list of what was on sale. I stopped and read the description, and when I saw that Angelica Houston was in it, and figured it couldn't be too bad.

I enjoyed it very much, first of all, it is not animated, and the special effects were quite good. A great movie for all ages. This movie will not scare little children, and it ends happily too.

Anyway, it was most entertaining and I would recommend it.

Customer Rating:

Summary: A Movie Everybody Will Love
Comment: Witches is a fantacy which is fast moving and delightful to watch. The actors and actresses had as much fun making this picture as the viewers of the picture. The High Witch herself won an academy award for her part in the picture. In the end, all is restored to normal (for the humans at least).

Customer Rating:

Summary: gift
Comment: i gave this as a gift to three little boys and they loved it so much they watch it once a week. good price also!

More Reviews

Editorial Reviews:

This splendid adventure-fantasy from 1990 was adapted from Roald Dahl's book and directed by maverick British filmmaker Nicolas Roeg, who turned out to be a perfect (if seemingly unlikely) interpreter of Dahl's fiendishly clever tale of witchcraft in contemporary England. Scary, funny, and wildly entertaining, it's all about a young boy named Luke (Jasen Fisher) whose parents have died in a tragic accident, and whose grandmother (Mai Zetterling) takes him to a posh hotel in England, where a secret coven of witches is holding its annual convention. The Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston, in a scene-stealing performance) has decreed that all children in England be turned into mice, and Luke and his pal Bruno (Charles Potter) are the first victims on the list. That's when the movie magicians from Jim Henson's creature shop have their work cut out for them, turning Luke and Bruno into clever little rodents and The Witches into a dazzling display of imaginative special effects, using a seamless combination of real mice and superb animatronic puppets. Director Roeg doesn't compromise the sinister edge of Dahl's story, but comedy gets equal time from the brilliant cast including Brenda Blethyn (from Secrets and Lies and Little Voice), Rowan Atkinson (of Black Adder and Mr. Bean fame), and Jane Horrocks (Little Voice) as the Grand High Witch's beleaguered assistant. Although it was largely neglected during its brief theatrical release, this wonderful movie has since enjoyed a thriving appreciation on video--see it and you'll understand why. --Jeff Shannon