The Witches

Little Luke grew up with his Norwegian grandmother Helga (Mai Zetterling) and learned from her about the demonic danger of witches. By chance, the two check into a hotel where the Organisation Against Child Abuse is holding a meeting – just a cover for the big witches' conference! The head witch (Anjelica Huston) presents her diabolical plan: a magic potion in chocolate is to turn all the children in the country into mice... An entertaining film adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's book, which, far removed from the saccharine ingredients of Hollywood's relevant products, cooks up a devilish brew of fun and horror. Nicolas Roeg seamlessly blends his identity crisis cinema with the drive of a fantastic spectacle, featuring effects designed by Muppets master Jim Henson himself for the last time and an ensemble cast in high spirits. (C.H.)