1990 - The Witches - La Maldicion De Las Brujas < 2K >
As the grandmother and retired witch-hunter, Zetterling provides the film’s emotional anchor. Her warmth and weary wisdom provide a necessary counterweight to the supernatural threats. Practical Effects vs. CGI
The Witches is a masterpiece of practical effects and tone. It is "nightmare fuel" in the best way possible, capturing the specific kind of magic and terror that only Roald Dahl could inspire. 1990 - The Witches - La maldicion de las brujas
It is worth noting that the film famously changed Dahl’s original ending. While the book concludes on a bittersweet, more realistic note regarding Luke’s transformation, the movie opts for a more traditional "Hollywood" happy ending. While this frustrated Roald Dahl at the time, for many viewers, it provided a much-needed emotional release after 90 minutes of high-tension dread. Final Verdict CGI The Witches is a masterpiece of practical
Roeg’s direction uses distorted camera angles and wide-lens close-ups to create a sense of unease that mirrors Dahl’s cynical, slightly grotesque worldview. It’s a film that respects a child's ability to handle being scared, never talking down to its audience. Standout Performances While the book concludes on a bittersweet, more
The film’s greatest legacy is the work of . The prosthetic makeup for the witches—complete with peeling skin, elongated noses, and hunchbacks—is visceral and far more impactful than the CGI used in the 2020 remake. The "mouse" puppets are similarly impressive, imbuing the transformed children with distinct personalities and realistic movement. The Ending Controversy
The story follows young Luke and his grandmother, Helga, who travels to a seaside hotel in England to recuperate. Little do they know, the hotel is hosting the annual convention of England’s witches. Led by the Grand High Witch, they plan to turn all the children of England into mice.
Huston delivers one of the most iconic villain performances of the 1990s. She is equal parts glamorous and repulsive, pivoting from a sophisticated socialite to a shrieking, ancient demon with terrifying ease.