The Worst Witch

This is one of my favorite Halloween movies. It has terrible special effects, silly moments that only a 4-year-old would find funny, and hokey acting at times...but yet it's become one of my favorite Halloween movies over the years. It just oozes Halloween and never fails to put me in the mood for all things spoopy. It's fun to watch and its bad elements are what make it charming. It also gives me a strange nostalgia for my childhood, even though I didn't grow up in the 80s nor did I grow up watching this movie and that's pretty rare for a movie to give me that feeling.

If you can overlook bad green screen, over-acting, and some moments that make you cringe a little, you will find a kind of magic that makes you long to be a kid again. It's a Halloween treat.

(And yes, Harry Potter was obviously inspired by The Worst Witch books and possibly even this movie because there are way too many similarities for it to just be coincidental and Harry Potter did the magical school concept a lot better, but you have to respect this movie as the highly probable origin for one of the best series of our time).

First, I must admit two things. 1. I am a fan of Tim Curry. 2. I am a reader and I devour everything I get ahold of including the /Worst Witch/ book that this movie was based on. One of those books series of course is Harry Potter, and I think this movie comes off very well in comparison!

In 1986, the idea for this movie was "a wrap" and no one had even conceived (except JK) there was to be a huge following of a boy who attends a school for wizards. This movie is about a batch of girls who attend a witch school. The potions master in the currently internationally famous movie (Alan Rickman, pants!) is a mean, nasty man who dislikes the lead character. The first scene we have with Diana as Miss Hardbroom is a potions scene.

You might note other similarities, trust me. I especially chuckled watching the flight-teacher "surfing" on her broom. Nahhhh. Don't know where Chris Columbus got that idea do we? Smiles.

Despite all the above, I am seeking a copy of this movie for my son and myself. I think it's a cute movie. Just like the (coughsHPcoughs) other movie, there are supernatural elements in WW, but I think today's children can handle them just fine. If not, we'll turn Queen Aggie on them!

If you get a chance, do watch this one. It's a keeper.

**** out of *****

This adaptation of the much-loved book, is surprisingly good entertainment, that is a little short. The book was one of my favourites when I was little, and I loved the fact they added a couple of touches.

The only other criticism I have is the rather annoying title song. It was beautifully sung by a young Bonnie Langford but the tune got on my sister's nerves, when she herself watched it.

The acting is very good, if a little pantomime. Likewise with the songs, written by the acclaimed Don Black. Fairuza Balk is really cute as Mildred, bringing back memories from return to Oz. Diana Rigg is a suitably frosty Miss Hardbroom, and she is what I would imagine the character. Charlotte Rae and Anna Kipling are also amusing in their turns as Miss Cackle/Agatha and Ethel Hallow. My favourite was Tim Curry as the Grand wizard, he was just amazing, and the Halloween song was actually the main reason why this movie should be watched, because they matched the lyrics exactly.

I have it on VHS. It is a little grainy, but it's because it's second hand. Watch it, and let your children watch it! They'll thank you! 8/10 Bethany Cox

Halloween is my favorite time of year specifically for the reason that HBO annually aired THE WORST WITCH! I have been watching this ever since 1986 & it just gets better each time! Fairuza Balk delivers a fun performance, as does Diana Rigg as the hard-edged Mrs. Hardbroom. But the cake has to go to Charlotte Rae (in a dual role) and the undeniable Tim Curry in a cameo. Charlotte role really shines as the Evil Queen Aggie, who along with her sidekick Delilah want to take back her school that her sister (Rae again) now runs. Not for the tuition money or the prestige, but just so she can bring back her song. BEAT ON IT DELILAH! "Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf. Dropped into the bottomless gulf. Venomous vipers come to us, covered in evil, ooze & puss! So if you're filthy!(FILTHY) Smelly! (SMELLY) Evil, wicked & cruel...you'll feel right at home in my little school. My lil school..Mine Mine MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMINE! Yeah!" Tim Curry later flies in (literally) as the Grand Dragon & delivers his own effects laden production number of "Anything can happen on Halloween." I don't know which were more unbelievable, the effects or Tim Curry as a sex symbol. Oh well to each his own. Ethel Hallow is ultimate foil & delivers a performance reminiscent of Nellie Olsen from Lil House on the Praire. Be sure to check it out.

I think this movie is somewhat of a cult classic for me. My parents had recorded it off of the TV for me when I was little, and it was tradition to watch it every Halloween. I think it's hard for people who are just seeing it for the first time to connect with it. With all the dazzling special effects of today and the better picture quality and all I could see how it could be lacking.

However, I'm on book 4 of the Harry Potter Series and I have to say it reminded me of this movie. I think there are many similarities between them... and not. The one thing Mildred has an instant knack for is flying as does Harry. Snipe is a potions teacher and hates Harry as does Miss Hardbroom to Mildred... I could go on, but this isn't quite the forum for it. But overall I could see how this movie could have been the inspiration for Harry Potter, but not enough to call it plagiarism as some people are.

Oh, and Tim Curry is so HOT in this!