Is it really 20 years since the Roald Dahl adaptation, The Witches, appeared?
Dahls spin on childhood is uniquely humorous and violent.
Dahl doesnt seek to explain the psychology of his witches.
So, what happens when you put Jim Henson and Nicholas Roeg in charge of Dahls work?
Few films aimed at a family audience have gone this far to scare the bejeezus out of kids.
In Roegs moody version, the dangers are monstrous and lethal.
Here, Henson lets loose with perhaps the most outlandish witch transformation on film.
Very few shots in the film feel as if theyve been secured on a tripod or dolly.
Visually, Roeg thrusts his audience into an unsteady world thats never quite in balance.
Casting is also note perfect.
Shes a hoot for grownups and a walking terror for the tots.
Bean(not to mention a tip of the hat to John Cleeses Basil Fawlty).
Twenty years on,The Witchesis notable in how well it bridges the gap between kiddie and adult fare.
But its a niche genre thats otherwise devoid of offerings.
