Silver Haired Witch Alice in Wonderland: Alice is a young girl with silver hair who finds herself in a magical world called Wonderland. As she explores this whimsical land, she encounters mystical creatures, curious characters, and bizarre situations. Alice's silver hair is symbolic of her uniqueness and otherworldly qualities. It sets her apart from the other characters in Wonderland and represents her ability to navigate through the whimsical and fantastical elements of the story. In Wonderland, Alice meets a variety of peculiar characters, such as the talking Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. Each encounter presents her with challenges and puzzles to solve, mirroring the topsy-turvy nature of Wonderland itself.
Each encounter presents her with challenges and puzzles to solve, mirroring the topsy-turvy nature of Wonderland itself. Throughout her journey, Alice discovers that the rules and logic she is familiar with do not apply in Wonderland. The world is governed by its own set of nonsensical rules, making it a place of constant surprises and unexpected adventures.
CAPSULE: THE SNAKE GIRL AND THE SILVER-HAIRED WITCH (1968)
PLOT : An impressionable young girl is sent home from the orphanage to live with her parents, where she has to deal with a dazed mother, a hateful maid, a secret mutant sister, and a silver-haired witch intent on killing her.
COMMENTS : How would you feel if you were a child who had grown up an orphan, living a happy life in an idyllic children’s home, only to suddenly leave everything you’ve ever known to live with two strangers who happen to be your real parents? It would probably be difficult, right? Now imagine that on your first night home, your biologist father goes off to Africa, leaving you home alone with your disturbed mother, a stern housekeeper and… a secret older sister with a disfigured face who lives in the attic and happens to be half snake?
Yeah, most children would probably wish they had stayed at the orphanage. But wide-eyed young Sayuri (Yachie Matsui) is too innocent to leave her new parents, despite the countless horrors that she suffers at the hands of her older sister, Tamami (Mayumi Takahashi). First, it’s just a snake in the bed, but the madness soon escalates with a horrific dream where Sayuri’s beloved doll turns into a miniature human and is mauled by Tamami, who transforms into a grotesque reptilian creature when she attacks her prey.
Even after Sayuri has a toad torn in half and thrown in her face, wakes up to a swarm of spiders in her bed, and is threatened with a flesh-dissolving acid bath, she still remains resolute in her decision to stay with her oblivious mother, who overlooks all of these offenses as unavoidable concessions that must be made to the pitiable Tamami.
But wait… We haven’t even touched on the second part of the title yet! Sayuri is willing to put up with her snaky sister’s shenanigans, but she draws the line at the silver-haired witch who emerges from the shadows of her attic bedroom. She barely escapes the house with her life and returns to the orphanage to seek help, but her sister and the witch aren’t about to let her get away that easily.
Part of a recent slew of obscure Japanese horror films released on the Arrow label, The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch is a hidden gem that offers more in the way of garish shocks and traditional horror imagery than more renowned art-house horror classics such as Kwaidan and Onibaba (long available from the Criterion Collection). Directed by Noriaki Yuasa, otherwise known primarily for the Gamera series of sub-Godzilla monster movies, there is nothing dull or formulaic about Snake Girl . It packs a lot of bizarre moments and unexpected plot developments into its brief 82 minute running time, while creating an original mythology of its own, which never relies on the usual horror tropes.
Another secret to this film’s success is the use of a child’s perspective. Horror films seen through the eyes of children are almost always more successful than those where adults are the main characters, although the latter variety is more common. And even though the special effects here are thoroughly low-budget and ridiculous (the titular “snake girl” is represented in dream sequences by a slit-mouthed puppet straight out of Sesame Street), the fact that everything is seen through the eyes of the unsuspecting Sayuri makes it forgivable.
Despite the apparent lack of budget, Yuasa creates a creepy mood that will be irresistible to any horror movie fan. When a film begins with slurping sounds, theremin, and a snake strangulation which is swiftly diagnosed as a “heart attack,” you know you’re in for some good schlock. The visuals are full of swirls and scaly imagery that drives home the idea that Sayuri is living in a house of snakes. There’s always something weird happening to sustain the mood, with none of the romantic side plots or dramatic filler often present in horror films of the era. It might not be high art, but if you’re looking for some classic Japanese horror that delivers the goods without taking itself too seriously, Snake Girl will give you all you’re looking for, and then some.
T he Arrow Video release features a stunning new HD restoration that is worth the money. The Blu-ray also features a commentary by film historian David Kalat and an interview which gives some background info on the film and the work of Kazuo Umezu, who wrote the manga on which the film was based (and also has a brief cameo as a taxi driver in the film). Arrow is certainly doing the good work in rescuing these Japanese classics from obscurity.
WHAT THE CRITICS SAY :
Even after Sayuri has a toad torn in half and thrown in her face, wakes up to a swarm of spiders in her bed, and is threatened with a flesh-dissolving acid bath, she still remains resolute in her decision to stay with her oblivious mother, who overlooks all of these offenses as unavoidable concessions that must be made to the pitiable Tamami.
Alice's main goal is to find her way back home, but she is often sidetracked by the enchanting and absurd nature of Wonderland. She learns important life lessons along the way, such as the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing one's curiosity. Ultimately, Alice's silver hair serves as a reminder that she is not an ordinary girl and that she possesses a special kind of magic. It represents her ability to adapt and thrive in the extraordinary world of Wonderland, where anything is possible. The tale of the silver-haired witch Alice in Wonderland showcases the power of imagination and the wonders that can unfold when one embraces their uniqueness and ventures into the unknown. It is a timeless and beloved story that continues to captivate readers of all ages..
Reviews for "Magic and Madness: The Parallel Worlds of the Silver Haired Witch in Alice in Wonderland"
1. Mark - 1/5: I found "Silver Haired Witch Alice in Wonderland" to be a complete disappointment. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, leaving me questioning the purpose of the entire film. The characters were poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the animation style was unsettling and did not complement the story well. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone.
2. Emily - 2/5: "Silver Haired Witch Alice in Wonderland" had an interesting concept, but unfortunately, it fell short in execution. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it hard to stay engaged throughout the movie. The dialogue was also poorly written and felt forced at times. While the animation was visually appealing, it couldn't make up for the lackluster storyline. Overall, I was left feeling unfulfilled and wouldn't watch it again.
3. Sarah - 1/5: I was extremely disappointed with "Silver Haired Witch Alice in Wonderland". The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it hard to follow along. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their journey. The animation style was also off-putting and distracting, taking away from the overall experience. I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for an enjoyable movie-watching experience.
4. Daniel - 2/5: "Silver Haired Witch Alice in Wonderland" had so much potential, but unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. The storyline had moments of intrigue, but they were overshadowed by a lack of cohesion and clarity. The animation was visually stunning at times, but it couldn't make up for the lack of character development and inconsistent pacing. While it had its moments, overall, I found the film to be underwhelming and would not actively seek it out to watch again.
5. Olivia - 2/5: I had high hopes for "Silver Haired Witch Alice in Wonderland", but it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The animation was unique but didn't do enough to enhance the overall story. Additionally, the character interactions felt forced, making it hard to fully invest in their journey. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this film as there are much better options available in the fantasy genre.