The Worst Witch

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!

I have been watching this movie since I was two years old, and I always loved it. Even now, at 19, I still love it, and I still watch it every Halloween - it's tradition!

I've never read the books, but the movie itself is great without them. Fairuza Balk is great in one of her first (ie: non-psychotic) roles. And Tim Curry is excellent - could we expect any less of him? I also loved Charlotte Rae in this - this movie is the only reason I ever watched The Facts of Life, I always saw her as Miss Cackle.

Anyway, this movie is really great, even if it was only an HBO TV movie. I'd really like to see it come out on DVD, but I doubt it ever will.

In my opinion, any film where Tim Curry sings is a delight. Although I am not a fan of a lot of the horror Mr. Curry has created, he is perfect in the Worst Witch. Seeing this for the first time at the age of eight back on the Disney Channel in 1986, I was blown away with the story and the actors in the movie. Balk, only a child at the time was a wonderful actress before she hit the big screens. She would later go on to do the sequel to the Wizard of Oz as Dorothy. A lot of the cast members in this movie went on to do other notable movies including The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Overall, a perfect Halloween movie for girls and boys. It's funny that Harry Potter has a lot of similar tones and scenes that are equal to the Worst Witch.

Still a great movie almost 20 years later. Check it out!

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