The Worst Witch is a British television series that first aired in 1986. It is based on a series of children's books written by Jill Murphy. The show follows the life of Mildred Hubble, a young witch attending Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Unlike her classmates, Mildred is often clumsy and struggles with her magical abilities. Throughout the series, she faces numerous challenges and tries to prove herself as a capable witch. Gaze at the Worst Witch 1986, provides a light-hearted and entertaining look into the world of magic and witchcraft.
The Grand Wizard : Now, Mildred, have you made any plans for this unexpected holiday? Mildred Hubble : No, Grand Wizard. I suppose I'd better practice my flying. The Grand Wizard : Would you like to practice with me? Mildred Hubble : With you? The Grand Wizard : Oh, absolutely.
While this wasn t part of my childhood, you won t have to go far to find someone who grew up watching this every Halloween and knowing every line verbatim. While this wasn t part of my childhood, you won t have to go far to find someone who grew up watching this every Halloween and knowing every line verbatim.
Gaze at the Worst Witch 1986, provides a light-hearted and entertaining look into the world of magic and witchcraft. The show combines elements of comedy, drama, and fantasy to create a unique viewing experience for children and adults alike. The characters are relatable and endearing, making it easy for viewers to become invested in their stories.
The Worst Witch (1986) — Harriet Potter and the Prisoner of Halloween
Justin’s rating: Brooms with phones? What will they think of next!
Justin’s review: A wizarding school set in a British castle. A mean potions master. Flights on broomsticks. Invisibility spells. A flighty headmaster. Cat familiars. Clearly, J.K. Rowling didn’t conjure up Harry Potter out of thin air, as the idea of magicians being trained at boarding schools actually dates back to 1974’s The Worst Witch. That series, which is quite popular in its own right, spawned a whole franchise that included a few TV series and a stage play.
However, today we’re going to focus on the first adaptation of the books: A made-for-TV movie in 1986 that stars a very young Fairuza Balk (Return to Oz), Charlotte Rae (Facts of Life), and Tim Curry (Clue). Balk is Mildred Hubble, an oh-so-slightly clumsy first-year witch who is the only kid in this all-girls school who isn’t instantly perfect. Thus, she’s the “worst” witch who does things like stumble into other kids and not get her potion mixture right. This marks her for extreme persecution by fellow students and Miss Hardbroom, who I’m convinced was Severus Snape’s mother.
If you’re looking for a movie where your lead character says “Sorry!” and makes apologetic faces a lot, you’re in for the 70 minutes of your dreams. For the rest of us, we’ll make do with the best special effects that mid-80s British TV studios could create. It’s actually kind of charming.
The plot loosely follows Mildred as she bumbles her way through her first year while the school headmistress’ twin sister shows up as an evil witch trying to destroy the place. She also has to contend with a rival girl named Ethel, who at one point is turned into a pig. I’m sure it was the highlight of Balk’s career to spend several scenes acting against a swine. Oh, and the whole school has the biggest estrogen crush on the Grand Wizard (Curry), who is visiting on Halloween. No, it’s not creepy that kids are shown kissing photos of an adult man, why do you ask?
But if you had to ask me what I liked the best about The Worst Witch, I would reply instantly — and without any sarcasm — “the soundtrack.” This features a synth score that is so incredibly cheesy that it laps itself and becomes amazing. It’s like getting blasted with EPCOT’s Future World from the 1980s, if that analogy makes any sense. And on top of that, there is a smattering of totally terrible musical numbers that, again, wrap around the world to go from “bad” to “bodacious:”
And then when you add in Tim Curry, who arrives swooping down with a cape wider than an Airbus, a bat bow tie, and his trademark silky voice, you kind of don’t want to be anywhere else. It’s all silly and colorful and weird, the kind of thing that’s aimed to delight kids but may end up pleasing the campy at heart as well.
While this wasn’t part of my childhood, you won’t have to go far to find someone who grew up watching this every Halloween and knowing every line verbatim. Maybe the best thing I can say is that I’d watch this over two, maybe three of the actual Harry Potter movies.
Didja notice?
- The blow-up skeleton in the classroom
- Tim Curry is the only guy in this entire movie
- Well that’s a horrible school song
- These bad witches look like they raided the remnants of an after-Halloween sale at a costume shop
- Every time this movie starts in on a musical number, plug your ears FAST
- Cats love to fly and be held by screaming girls, apparently
- Kids making mildly scary faces is the most terrifying thing ever
If you’re looking for a movie where your lead character says “Sorry!” and makes apologetic faces a lot, you’re in for the 70 minutes of your dreams. For the rest of us, we’ll make do with the best special effects that mid-80s British TV studios could create. It’s actually kind of charming.
One of the main themes of the show is the importance of perseverance and self-belief. Despite constantly facing setbacks and being the subject of ridicule from her peers, Mildred never gives up. She continues to work hard and strive to improve her magical skills, ultimately proving that determination is key to success. Another notable aspect of Gaze at the Worst Witch is its emphasis on friendship and teamwork. Mildred forms a close bond with her roommates, Maud and Enid, and together they navigate the ups and downs of witch school. They rely on each other for support and encouragement, demonstrating the power of friendship in overcoming challenges. The 1986 series of The Worst Witch has received positive reviews from viewers and critics alike. Its charming storytelling, memorable characters, and humorous moments have made it a beloved classic. The success of the show has led to the creation of several adaptations and a revived interest in the original books. In conclusion, Gaze at the Worst Witch 1986 is a delightful and entertaining television series that captures the magic and charm of Jill Murphy's beloved children's books. With its relatable characters, positive themes, and humorous moments, it continues to capture the hearts of audiences of all ages..
Reviews for "The Comedy of "The Worst Witch" 1986: Celebrating its Hilarious Moments and Memorable Characters"
1. John - 2/5 - The Worst Witch (1986) was a disappointing adaptation of the beloved book series. The acting felt forced and over-the-top, which made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Additionally, the special effects were outdated and lacked the magic and awe that should accompany a story about witches and wizards. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wishing for a more compelling and visually appealing adaptation.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - As a fan of the Worst Witch series, I was excited to watch the 1986 adaptation. However, I found it to be a letdown. The story felt rushed, with important plot points being skimmed over. The acting was subpar and the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural. I was particularly disappointed with the portrayal of the main character, Mildred Hubble, who lacked the charm and relatability that she possesses in the books. Overall, I would not recommend this adaptation to fans of the series or those seeking an enjoyable witch-themed movie.
3. Michael - 1/5 - The Worst Witch (1986) was a complete waste of time. The acting was atrocious and the story was poorly executed. It felt like a cheap made-for-TV movie with low production value. The visual effects were laughable, and the attempts at humor fell flat. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the film and found myself counting down the minutes until it was over. I would advise anyone thinking of watching this movie to save their time and find something better to watch.