The Worst Witch is a beloved children's book series written by Jill Murphy, which has also been adapted into a popular TV show. The series follows the adventures of Mildred Hubble, a young witch who always seems to get everything wrong. In 1986, a TV movie adaptation of The Worst Witch was released, with Tim Curry taking on the role of the Grand Wizard, also known as The Great Wizard Azazel. Curry's portrayal of the character was met with mixed reviews. Some praised his performance, noting his ability to bring an air of mystery and charm to the role. Others, however, felt that Curry's interpretation fell flat, lacking the whimsy and magical feel that readers had come to expect from the Grand Wizard.
To regain his freedom, Atahualpa promised Pizzaro a ransom the size of the large room he was imprisoned in, filled once with gold and twice with silver. Over the next few months, and to the astonishment of the conquistadores, the Inca’s subjects collected this enormous quantity of precious metals from throughout the empire—possibly the largest ransom ever paid for any individual in history. Pizzaro accepted the ransom but continued to hold Atahualpa as a hostage for months, then had the Inca ruler executed in August 1533.
In sizes ranging from fine powder to large nuggets, heavy gold washes downward into streams and rivers, and collects in accumulations with quartz sand. Avarice can be found in Kehjistan and will spawn in a specific location within the zone known as Seared Basin , located Northeast in Kehjistan, or just all the way North from the Tarsarak Waypoint.
Others, however, felt that Curry's interpretation fell flat, lacking the whimsy and magical feel that readers had come to expect from the Grand Wizard. One of the main criticisms of Curry's portrayal was his accent. While Curry is known for his ability to master various accents in his roles, his attempt at a British accent in this film was not well-received.
Andean Gold – Gift and Curse
For thousands of years, the ancient Andean people revered gold. They collected nuggets and flakes of this luminous metal in icy river water and dug small mining tunnels and quarries. They created exquisite gold art objects to be used as offerings in their religious rituals and to decorate prestigious individuals, both living and dead. The Incas worshiped Inti, the Sun god, and they considered gold the sweat of the Sun, and their emperor the son of the Sun. They shaped gold into large discs that represented the Sun, and when they covered the exterior walls of important temples with thin hammered sheets of this metal, the reflected sunlight created a brilliance that could be seen for miles.
Inca figurine of a llama in gold; 2 inches high (about 1500 CE)
In the rugged high Andes Mountains, gold is associated with volcanic rocks and in quartz veins disseminated throughout granitic rocks. The erosive forces of wind, water and scouring glacial ice eventually break down these rocks, freeing fragments of the dense and shiny metal. In sizes ranging from fine powder to large nuggets, heavy gold washes downward into streams and rivers, and collects in accumulations with quartz sand.
Arrival of the Conquistadores and Collapse of an Empire
The gold that the ancient Andeans used throughout their history ultimately led to the fall of the Inca Empire–the largest, greatest and last of the ancient civilizations of South America. In the sixteenth century, lust for precious metals lured Spanish conquistadores high into the Andes of modern northern Peru. On November 16, 1532, Francisco Pizzaro, accompanied by a tattered group of 168 soldiers, with 62 mounted on horses, marched into Cajamarca. In the conflict than ensued, Pizarro and his men captured the reigning Supreme Inca, Atahualpa, and massacred thousands of his soldier attendants.
To regain his freedom, Atahualpa promised Pizzaro a ransom the size of the large room he was imprisoned in, filled once with gold and twice with silver. Over the next few months, and to the astonishment of the conquistadores, the Inca’s subjects collected this enormous quantity of precious metals from throughout the empire—possibly the largest ransom ever paid for any individual in history. Pizzaro accepted the ransom but continued to hold Atahualpa as a hostage for months, then had the Inca ruler executed in August 1533.
Capture of Atahualpa on 16 November 1532 by John Everett Millais (1845)
Spanish chroniclers recorded fabulous art objects in the ransom collection, but nearly all were melted down in furnaces, said to have burned for months. Shipment after shipment of blocks of Andean gold and silver were sent off to Spain. The Spanish then turned their attention to metal production from the Inca mines. They also found an even easier route to collect precious metals: looting.
The lands of the Incas and their ancestors may top the list of the most intensively looted ancient centers of civilization on the planet. The conquistadores began this practice when they realized that tombs of ancient Andean nobility held vast stores of silver and gold objects. Looting became synonymous with mining, and they actually divided ancient monuments into claim areas with titles assigned and registered in Spanish archives. The staggering monetary value of the precious metals shipped from the Andes powered the Spanish empire for many years and transformed the economy of Europe.
Andean Gold in the Modern World
Rich deposits of gold continue to be found in the Andes Mountains today. With globalization and an economic model rooted in commodity exports, Peru and other Latin America countries are major exporters of metals. Gold mining ranges from small-scale and mostly illegal operations to massive open-pit quarries operated by multinational companies. Illegal “artisanal” mining is widespread. The miners go to difficult areas–the jungles of the Amazon and the cold high mountains. These include Mt Ananea, with the sprawling and impoverished settlement of La Rinconada at an elevation of 16,700 feet (5,100 m), a difficult place for any type of life and reportedly the highest permanent human settlement on Earth.
Abundant gold found in river sediments is mined in the lowlands of the Amazon Basin in small operations. In these rainforests, widespread deforestation and sedimentation of rivers are a disastrous result of the mining. The miners use mercury amalgamation for gold-processing and large amounts of mercury released into rivers and streams are causing serious environmental contamination. (See my post: https://roseannechambers.com/the-dark-side-of-gold/) In the high mountains, thousands work in “informal” mines with hand tools and labor practices underground that are little changed from centuries ago. Women and children pick through the rocky spoil piles from these mines, scavenging for any shiny bits that have been overlooked. Driven by poverty, the mining frenzy increases as spot prices for gold rise, with virtually all seekers harboring a hope for potential riches that are almost always elusive.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is one of the largest mines on Earth, the enormous open-pit Yanacocha gold mine near Cajamarca (ironically, the city where Pizarro imprisoned Inca Atahualpa in 1532). A joint venture of a Peruvian company and U.S.-based Newmont Mining Corporation, this mine began production in 1993. The operation has a long and sordid history, including severe environmental degradation, intimidation of activists opposing the mining, and minimal sharing of economic benefits with the indigenous residents of the region.
Yanacocha goldmine near Cajamarca in northern Peru
Similar large-scale mining operations exist for metallic resources throughout Andean countries. In this economic model, multinational mining corporations from the United States and Canada, plus countries like China, invest in major mining projects. The metals are sent off to other continents and hundreds of millions of dollars in profits are pocketed by people in major cities that are thousands of miles away from the Andes. Popular protest and environmental justice movements are speaking out against these extractive industries and making demands that corporations invest in the communities where they are exploiting resources.
Gold helped to shape ancient Andean cultures–and continues to play a role in the lives of the Andean people today. It is truly a gift and a curse.
Please share this post! Also, please scroll down to the bottom of this page and leave your email address on my website. You’ll receive messages only when I publish a new post (about once a week) and my occasional newsletter. Join now to learn more about geology, geography, culture, and history.
Learn how to beat Avarice the Gold Cursed in Diablo 4!
Many viewers found it distracting and lacking authenticity, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the film. Furthermore, some fans of the book series felt that Curry did not capture the essence of the Grand Wizard as described in the books. The Grand Wizard is supposed to be a powerful and imposing figure, but Curry's portrayal came across as more comical and less intimidating. This deviation from the source material disappointed fans who were eagerly anticipating the film adaptation. Despite the criticism, some viewers did appreciate Curry's portrayal, noting that his performance brought a certain charisma to the character. They believed that his interpretation added depth and complexity to the Grand Wizard, making him more relatable and likable. Overall, Tim Curry's portrayal of the Grand Wizard in The Worst Witch was polarizing. While some enjoyed his performance, others felt that it did not live up to their expectations. However, it is worth noting that the TV movie still remains a beloved adaptation of the book series for many fans..
Reviews for "Tim Curry's Evil Brilliance as The Worst Witch"
1. Emma - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "The Worst Witch" starring Tim Curry. I have always been a fan of Tim Curry's work, but this performance fell flat for me. His portrayal of the Grand Wizard seemed forced and lacked the charisma that I usually associate with his characters. It felt like he was going through the motions rather than truly embracing the role. Overall, I found his performance to be lackluster and it didn't add much to the overall quality of the show.
2. Daniel - 1/5
I can't believe I wasted my time watching "The Worst Witch" with Tim Curry. His acting was incredibly over the top and bordering on cheesy. I expected better from such a talented actor. It felt like he was trying too hard to be the eccentric and quirky character that he is known for, but it just came across as forced and unnatural. I found his performance to be distracting and it took away from the enjoyment of the show. I wouldn't recommend watching this version of "The Worst Witch" solely for Tim Curry's performance.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I had high hopes for "The Worst Witch" with Tim Curry, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. Curry's portrayal of the Grand Wizard felt exaggerated and cartoonish. It lacked the depth and nuance that I was hoping for. While his energy was commendable, it didn't compensate for the lack of substance in his performance. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and wishing for more from such a talented actor.
4. Michael - 2/5
Tim Curry's performance in "The Worst Witch" was a major letdown for me. I expected him to bring his trademark charm and charisma to the role, but instead, he came across as over-the-top and hammy. It felt like he was playing a caricature of himself rather than fully embodying the character. This made it difficult for me to connect with his performance and as a result, I found myself losing interest in the show. I would recommend skipping this rendition of "The Worst Witch" if you're looking for a standout performance from Tim Curry.