Diana Rigg's portrayal of Miss Hardbroom in the television series "The Worst Witch" continues to captivate audiences with her commanding and authoritative performance. Rigg’s exceptional talent breathes new life into the beloved character, making her a standout in an already remarkable cast. From the moment Rigg appears on screen, her presence commands attention. Her stern demeanor and no-nonsense approach perfectly embody the character of Miss Hardbroom, the formidable potions teacher at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Rigg's ability to seamlessly balance strictness with vulnerability adds depth to Miss Hardbroom, making her a multi-dimensional character. What sets Rigg's performance apart is her ability to create a nuanced character that evolves over time.

The Worst Witch (1986)

Just rewatched it today. Besides the obvious (super sexy, trippy 80s effects Tim Curry), I will say. I forgot Diana Rigg makes a great villain.

""No one can beat Mega Bucks!"
"I'll put you to sleep with my Million Dollar Dream!"

Post by Ryback on a Pole! on Oct 29, 2023 23:44:45 GMT -5

Post by thechase on Oct 30, 2023 3:19:47 GMT -5

Post by James Fabiano on Oct 30, 2023 7:08:52 GMT -5

I get it, I'm old!!

""No one can beat Mega Bucks!"
"I'll put you to sleep with my Million Dollar Dream!"

Post by Sephiroth on Oct 30, 2023 7:09:44 GMT -5

Check out my channel, The Nightmare Nerd

Post by Fundertaker on Oct 30, 2023 7:15:46 GMT -5

That's Tim's secret: he always phones it in, but he phones it in so much it becomes A game.

Post by crashmatsbazz on Oct 30, 2023 7:45:00 GMT -5

I hate the Tim Curry Halloween song in this film, its burnt into my brain cos i was like a young kid when this came out and it was shown in School pretty much every Christmas.

Post by James Fabiano on Oct 30, 2023 9:44:06 GMT -5

I hate the Tim Curry Halloween song in this film, its burnt into my brain cos i was like a young kid when this came out and it was shown in School pretty much every Christmas.

I am having NONE of that!

Another observation. the villains (including double-roled Charlotte Rae) look kinda like the Sanderson sisters. roughly.

I love the scene where, after the evil witches are transformed back and threaten Mildred, Mildred just stands there smiling with her arms crossed like it doesn't scare her at all now.

""No one can beat Mega Bucks!"
"I'll put you to sleep with my Million Dollar Dream!"

Post by SpillBeans316 on Oct 30, 2023 11:21:40 GMT -5

“Growing up…. isn’t easy……”.

That song has lived rent free in the back of my mind for over 35 years and still enjoy it when it pops out from time to time.

Post by Sephiroth on Oct 30, 2023 11:50:05 GMT -5

One of the awesome things about Tim Curry is he sneaks brings his A game to even the most ridiculous roles. Which makes finding the times where he didn’t give a you-know-what and was sleepwalking it all the more awesome. The smile he wore in this movie liked less like his usual crazy guy smile and more like when you pose for high school photos. For as enthusiastic as he usually was at voice acting, you could tell in the pebble and the Penguin that he was counting the minutes.

Check out my channel, The Nightmare Nerd

Post by grunt on Oct 30, 2023 11:53:02 GMT -5

Still like the movie, despite all its faults. Then again, I grew up with it, since it was probably one of the first videos my parents rented for me to watch on Halloween, in 87 or 88, back when Halloween hadn't crossed the Atlantic to get to France, and my neighbours and I were probably the only homes celebrating it in the entire region.

The 90s show was okayish, the Weirdsister spinoff was meh, and the Bella Ramsey-led CBBC reboot was fun for what it was.

Diana rigg worst witch

I don't remember this well enough to rate it for sure, but I'd say probably "meh."

This came out in 1986, but I never saw it until. I dunno, must have been sometime in the 20-aughts, I guess. I vaguely recall at some point around that time seeing a bit of a TV series of the same name, which had originally aired in 1998. Both the TV movie and the TV series were based on a series of books that I've never read. The reruns were airing on a Canadian channel I used to watch sometimes. And the movie. I believe I found it on VHS at my cousins' camp at the lake, one summer, and watched it there. I don't honestly remember which I saw first. What I can tell you is that they're both about a witches' academy, you know, for young girls training to be witches. The main one was Mildred Hubble, who in the movie was played by Fairuza Balk. The cast also included Diana Rigg, Tim Curry, and Charlotte Rae (from such comedy nostalgia as "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts of Life"). Also one of the girls was played by Sophie Cook (whom I knew from The Chronicles of Narnia, though I wasn't aware of that until I rewatched that in 2014). It all sounds like it should be a decent movie. It's got a good cast, a good premise, and witches. Lots of cute little witches. But. I don't really remember anything about the movie except thinking it turned out to be incredibly lame. Like, mind-bogglingly lame. (The series was probably less lame, but I never saw much of it, and what I did see, I wouldn't exactly call "good.") Nevertheless, I might like to see the movie again sometime, to write up a proper review. At the very least I can say, I really like the Kindertrauma article linked to above.

Diana rigg worst witch

The whole school is abuzz that the Grand Wizard (Tim Curry) will attend their forthcoming Halloween festivities. Mildred miraculously wins a place on the school’s flying formation team, but nasty know-it-all Ethel Hallow (Anna Kipling) sabotages her broomstick. Meanwhile, Mrs. Cackle’s evil twin Agatha (Rae again, sporting a hideous pink wig and inexplicable Alabama accent) and her coven of wicked witches are lurking in the woods, plotting to take over the school.

Bonnie Langford sings the theme song, written by Charles Strouse and Don Black, because they passed a law in mid-seventies Britain stating that all children’s television for the next ten years must involve her in some way. The rest of the synthesizer led songs composed by Dennis King are cheesier than a platter of gorgonzola, particularly the clunky pop number Tim Curry croons before some sub-MTV video backgrounds. “Anything can happen on Halloween! Your dentist could turn into a queen!” Come again, Tim?

This wears the tacky, shot-on-video look of Eighties’ children’s TV that somehow seems less vibrant than anything from the Sixties and Seventies. Nevertheless, The Worst Witch depicts school bullying and ritual humiliation far more effectively than Harry Potter. While Harry is a dab hand at wizardry and has virtually the whole Hogwarts’ staff kissing his ass, clumsy, well-intentioned Mildred fails at almost everything she tries, as classmates and teachers prove more hindrance than help. Yet she always picks herself up and tries again, ennobled by a hugely endearing performance from Fairuza Balk.

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What sets Rigg's performance apart is her ability to create a nuanced character that evolves over time. We see glimpses of kindness and genuine care beneath the tough exterior, allowing the audience to empathize with Miss Hardbroom. This complexity makes her more than just a stereotypical villain; instead, she becomes a character we can root for and admire.

Rigg's skill as an actress is on full display in her scenes with the young witches. Her chemistry with the cast members, particularly Bella Ramsey as Mildred Hubble, adds a layer of realism to their interactions. Rigg's scenes with Ramsey are particularly noteworthy, as they showcase the mentor-mentee relationship between Miss Hardbroom and Mildred. The undeniable chemistry between the two actors brings an authentic dynamic to the show. Overall, Diana Rigg's portrayal of Miss Hardbroom in "The Worst Witch" is nothing short of exceptional. Her ability to bring depth and nuance to the character elevates the show, making it a must-watch for fans of the series. Rigg’s outstanding performance solidifies her as a powerhouse in the industry, leaving a lasting impression on viewers..

Reviews for "The Timeless Appeal of Diana Rigg's Character in "The Worst Witch"

1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with Diana Rigg's performance in "Worst Witch". I found her character to be over-the-top and exaggerated, not fitting with the tone of the show. Her portrayal seemed forced and lacking authenticity. Overall, Rigg's presence in the series detracted from my enjoyment of it.

2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I can't understand the hype around Diana Rigg's character in "Worst Witch". Her acting felt completely out of place and almost comical. It was hard to take the show seriously when she was on screen. I believe they made a poor casting choice and I didn't enjoy her performance at all.

3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Diana Rigg's role in 'Worst Witch' was definitely not her best work. I felt like she was trying too hard to stand out and it came off as forced. Her character lacked depth and nuance, making it difficult to connect with her on any level. Overall, it was a disappointing performance from such a talented actress."

The Magical World of "The Worst Witch" and Diana Rigg's Role in it