The Witch's Daughter

TV Movie
1996
Not Rated
1h 30m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Simone Lahbib in The Witch's Daughter (1996)

Zelda, a young woman whose husband is lost at sea, and her 12-year-old daughter, Perdita, live off the coast of Scotland on the small island of Skua. The islanders believe Zelda is a witch, ... Read allZelda, a young woman whose husband is lost at sea, and her 12-year-old daughter, Perdita, live off the coast of Scotland on the small island of Skua. The islanders believe Zelda is a witch, but her sister, Annie, says Zelda is just "different." Certain that her husband will never... Read allZelda, a young woman whose husband is lost at sea, and her 12-year-old daughter, Perdita, live off the coast of Scotland on the small island of Skua. The islanders believe Zelda is a witch, but her sister, Annie, says Zelda is just "different." Certain that her husband will never return, Zelda drowns herself. When lobsters, the islanders' main source of trade, suddenl... Read all

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IMDb RATING

6.1/10

108

YOUR RATING

2User reviews

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User reviews2

6.1108

Featured reviews

James M8

Nicely done, with exceptions

This was one of my favorite books while growing up, and I was thrilled to see that someone had filmed it. Like most people who see a movie after they've read the novel, I was disappointed in some of the discrepancies; if you have also read and loved the book, you'll be surprised at the complete omission of Janey, Tim's blind sister, and at the end of the tale, which is considerably different (and much cheerier in tone). The cast was well chosen, except for Perdita, who I'd always pictured as much smaller, more vulnerable and haunted-looking. Actress Sammy Glenn is very appealing, but seems far too robust and cheerful to be playing this sensitive, frightened, lonely young girl.

4PDXozoner

Too Many Holes

It's a pleasant movie particularly for pre-teens but it has so many moments when characters do completely illogical things that it begins to generate groans of "Oh come on," and I'm not referring to the psychic plot points which are perfectly acceptable given the nature of the story.

The acting is competent, if not particularly inspired, all around but the reviewer who criticized the "robust cheerfulness" of the young actress who plays Perdita was spot on.

I kept watching in no small measure because of the location shots which are lovely, but if I were Scottish, I'd be thoroughly cranky about the clichéd stereotypes written for most of the supporting characters.