Rating: 
Summary: Not Quite for Children, Not Quite for Adults
Review: "The Witches" is one of my favorite films. The film combines the substantial filmmaking talents of Nicholas Roeg with the wonderworking of Jim Henson and an unforgettable performance from Angelica Huston. Every time I watch this film, I find something new to like about it.Since I have seen the film numerous times, I was a bit disappointed that the DVD did not contain any special features, such as a commentary from the filmmaker or one of the actors. Other than the most basic chapter selection, the DVD does not offer any of the bonuses that one would like to see. Fortunately, the film itself is so good that it is worthwhile to buy this disc in spite of the substandard packaging. From the very beginning of the film, we are thrown into an imaginative world where witches reside in literally every small village and where no child is safe in any country. As the credits roll across the screen, Roeg treats us to a ride on a broomstick, to a witch's-eye view of the frozen Scandinavian countryside. The film then introduces us to Luke and his grandmother, the protagonists of this tale. We learn that the grandmother has long been fighting the witches and even has lost part of her finger in the struggles. After tragedy strikes the young boy's parents, the pair travel to England, which is literally infested with witches. Fortunately, Luke has been well-warned how to recognize them and can play safely in his tree house when other children would be in grave peril. The delicious irony compounds when the grandmother takes Luke to a seaside resort hotel for her convalescence. It is the precise time when all the witches of England are meeting under the cover of the Royal Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children. In a closed-door session, the witches remove their wigs and uncomfortable, yet practical, shoes, letting us see them in all their repulsiveness. The Grand High Witch (played to perfection by Angelica Huston) reveals her plan to turn all the children of England into mice. Of course, the witch's plan goes astray, and tables are turned on all the witches in one of the most delightful scenes in all of modern cinema. Every time I watch it, I think to myself how much fun it would be to make a film like this one. This is a charming, delightful film with enough diversions to keep children fascinated, told with enough skill to keep adults interested. It is a keeper, worth watching many times.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Fantastic!
Review: "The Witches" is one of the best movies ever produced. If you have not seen it, see it! If you have seen it, see it again! Nicholas Roeg directed this movie (which is based on Roald Dahl's novel of the same name), and delivers a brilliant film on so many levels. The visuals are amazing and the story is intriguing. The plot involves a young boy, Luke, and his grandmother going on a vacation to a seaside hotel in England, only to discover that many of its occupants are REAL WITCHES, one of whom is the Grand High Witch. Angelica Houston does a fabulous job as the Grand High Witch, and the make-up which forms her disguised face is both frightening and spectacular. It is unfortunate that "The Witches" is largely unrecognized, as adults and children alike will adore this movie for its action, suspense and sheer brilliance. There is no doubt in my mind that this film is among the best ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fantastic!
Review: "The Witches" is one of the best movies ever produced. If you have not seen it, see it! If you have seen it, see it again! Nicholas Roeg directed this movie (which is based on Roald Dahl's novel of the same name), and delivers a brilliant film on so many levels. The visuals are amazing and the story is intriguing. The plot involves a young boy, Luke, and his grandmother going on a vacation to a seaside hotel in England, only to discover that many of its occupants are REAL WITCHES, one of whom is the Grand High Witch. Angelica Houston does a fabulous job as the Grand High Witch, and the make-up which forms her disguised face is both frightening and spectacular. It is unfortunate that "The Witches" is largely unrecognized, as adults and children alike will adore this movie for its action, suspense and sheer brilliance. There is no doubt in my mind that this film is among the best ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Doing Dahl Justice....
Review: ....is exactly what this film does even though it does take a few little liberties of it's own. But then I guess that can be expected and forgiven when you condiser the need for dramatic licence. And Angelica Huston with her dark looks, striking stature and glamour is perfectly cast as the evil Grand High Witch who is determined to rid England, then the world, of children. She really does do a good job too. Orphaned as a boy, American Luke moves to England with his doting Norwegian grandmother who gives him a rather different version of the facts of life than what the majority of children learn. Having encountered and escaped the Grand High Witch as a child herself she teaches her grandson all he needs to know to protect himself and others from the evil clutches of witches. But more than words are needed when he meets all the witches himself whilst on holiday by the sea and uncovers a diabolical plot to turn all the children in the world into mice..... Dahl's sinister imagination certainly comes to life in this flick and while some scenes may be unsuitable for very young children older kids and adults will be thoroughly entertained. And there are some terrific cameos from some of Britain's favourite stars such as Jane Horrocks, Brenda Blethyn (Secrets & Lies), Bill Paterson and Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean). But experience Dahl properly you have to read the books.
Rating:
Summary: must own The Witches
Review: A fantastic tale for "kids" of all ages. One of those movies that you can't ever get out of your head. I saw it a couple years after it came out in the theater and really liked it. I would also watch it whenever I happened to see it on t.v. It seems each time I'd like it more and more. Not to mention it was Jim Henson's last movie made, so even more of a reason to own it. My 3 1/2 year old daughter just watched it today for the first time. I thought she may freak on me and I kept asking her if she wanted me to turn it off but she kept insisting NO. When the movie was over I asked her if she was okay and she said yes and she wanted to watch it again!! At 35 I still like it, at 3 my daughter likes it. I don't feel you can go wrong with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasant But Flawed
Review: A wry, subtle horror film that succeeds in capturing the flavor of the Roald Dahl book. The children are portrayed realistically, and with a cyncal humor that is refreshing, given the crass sentimentality of most kids' films. The only flaw is the tiresome performance by Angelica Huston as the main witch. Her hammy Nazi accent is one aspect of the book that could have been excised--Roald Dahl's bigotry against Germans was well-known (a hangover from his war experience), but hardly appropriate today. All in all, a scary, intelligent, and whimsical treat.
Rating:
Summary: very good childrens story
Review: a young boy and his grandmother save the Englands childern from the grand high witch.It is another wonderful story from the author of Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory.
Rating:
Summary: Cute mice and ugly witches.
Review: Anjelica Huston is so hideous as a witch it isn't funny. Actually, it is a bit funny, with the accent and everything. Oh, and the mice are simply adorable. Everyone else told the plot, so I won't linger about it. Basically, the Grand High Witch turns a boy, Luke, into a mouse and he has to save all the children in England. While a mouse. That presents some problems, and a kinda scary scene with the Grand High Witch's cat. The witch convention would be the most impressive scene in the movie. Eva Ernst (The Witch) tells everyone to take off their shoes. Then she tells them to remove their "vigs" (wigs). They are bald with purple eyes and ugly teeth. Then Eva proceeds to remove her hair AND face at the same time, with a little help from her secretary. Eva's chin grows, her nose lengthens, and underneath her mask is the most hideous thing you have ever seen. Long ears, no hair, and that awful face. I suppose it's still Anjelica Huston under all that. She keeps the accent, and even while she is being scary she is funny when explaining the results of her Formula 86. I highly recommend this movie, because the acting is suberb and the effects are better.
Rating:
Summary: Good movie but it's not about us REAL WITCHES
Review: cool movie. but it is not about us real wiccans. so don't buy it if you want a movie on real witchcraft. if you want to be entertained and laugh to death BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: Beware of Witches
Review: Firstly it is true that this movie can be extremely frightening to young children, and should not be shown not be seen by them.
Otherwise everyone else should really enjoy this fantastic movie, that takes place in Sweden and modern day England. A little boy Luke ((Jasen Fisher) is told by his grandmother (Mai Zetterling) all about witches, and of her own childhood experience with these evil creatures, including the mysterious loss of her best friend to their wicked wiles. When a few months later he goes with his grandmother to a grand old hotel by the seaside in England, he discovers to his dismay that there is witches conference at the hotel, and before he can foil there evil plans to destroy the children of England, he and another boy, Bruno (Charles Potter) are turned into mice at the orders of the Grand High Witch (Angelica Huston) He and Bruno must now survive while at the same time exposing defeating the witches' evil plans. A great movie based on the book by Roald Dahl.
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