Mary was known as the witch in the small village of Greenwood. It was a name that had been given to her by the superstitious townsfolk who believed she had special powers. There were stories that circulated about her ability to predict the future and cast spells on unsuspecting individuals. Mary lived alone in a small cottage on the outskirts of town. She was a mysterious woman, always seen wearing dark clothing and a wide-brimmed hat that hid her face. Many people were afraid of her, avoiding any contact with her whenever possible.
The Little Broomstick was named on the sheet but Mary Stewart herself was not. This was repeated in the ‘featurette’ that preceeded the film, where she was ‘the author’ rather than named, but she was of course named in the film credits. I found the featurette really interesting: members of the Ponoc team explained the meaning of Ponoc, how they scout locations rather than simply draw from photos, and I was pleased to hear that they wanted to honour the author’s obvious love and respect for nature.
By sheer accident, she releases this power and a broomstick flies her off to Endor College, a place of unethical science and witchcraft, where she meets Madam Mumblechook and Doctor Dee, and discovers sinister goings-on trespassers will be transformed is a rule followed with gusto at this school of witchcraft. Unfortunately, when she gives it to Madam Mumblechook and Doctor Dee, they decide to conduct experiments on animals and eventually on a human victim which ultimately leads to the destruction of Endor College s laboratory.
Many people were afraid of her, avoiding any contact with her whenever possible. Despite the fear surrounding her, there were some who sought out Mary's assistance. They believed that she could bring them luck or help them find their true love.
Review of Mary and the Witch’s Flower
Studio Ponoc (heir to Studio Ghibli) has adapted Mary Stewart’s 1971 children’s book The Little Broomstick as its debut animated feature, with the title Mary and the Witch’s Flower, and ever since I found out about this in December 2016 I have been desperate to see it. On Tuesday evening, ahead of the UK release date of 4 May, there were advance screenings of the film in Japanese with English subtitles. Reader, I watched it. And loved it, and will certainly watch it again.
I saw Mary and the Witch’s Flower in the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh. We were in Screen 2 and even although the event was sold out the room cannot hold more than about fifty people, so it was an intimate experience where you get a good idea of how others are reacting to the film too. I didn’t think to take a photo of the room but I spotted a tweet by @LesaLionHeart and she has kindly agreed to let me share her photo:
Screen 2 at the Cameo, with its three rows of cosy double seats. Thanks to @LesaLionHeart for this photo.
The Cameo provided goodies in the form of a poster and a sheet summarising the background to the film and film studio.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower swag from Edinburgh’s Cameo Cinema
The Little Broomstick was named on the sheet but Mary Stewart herself was not. This was repeated in the ‘featurette’ that preceeded the film, where she was ‘the author’ rather than named, but she was of course named in the film credits. I found the featurette really interesting: members of the Ponoc team explained the meaning of Ponoc, how they scout locations rather than simply draw from photos, and I was pleased to hear that they wanted to honour the author’s obvious love and respect for nature.
Then the film began! Visually it is stunning, being beautifully drawn, colourful, highly imaginative and dynamic. I was hooked, both by the look of the film and by the story. There are of course differences between book and film but I felt that Mary and the Witch’s Flower stayed true to the spirit of the book. A central theme in all Mary Stewart novels is an examination of how ‘ordinary’ people react to wrong-doing and face up to danger. The heroine here, Mary Smith, is the youngest in a line of Mary Stewart heroines standing up for what is right, despite being afraid.
Mary Stewart’s love of animals shines through in her novels and nowhere more than in The Little Broomstick. The film version even adds to this with a short sequence where Mary follows Tib the cat not so much because she is bored and lonely but because he seems to be mysteriously changing colour from black to grey. The audience in Screen 2 greeted the solution to this mystery with a breath of laughter, showing how nicely this scene worked. There was more laughter when Mary spoke to her Great-Aunt Charlotte’s dog and the audience learned his name – I am sure this reaction would have pleased Mary Stewart immensely. Some suspenseful moments in the film caused many in the audience to gasp involuntarily, a sure sign that we were gripped by the narrative.
Very briefly, the narrative is one where Mary Smith follows a cat who leads her to a rare purple flower with magical powers. By sheer accident, she releases this power and a broomstick flies her off to Endor College, a place of unethical ‘science’ and witchcraft, where she meets Madam Mumblechook and Doctor Dee, and discovers sinister goings-on: ‘trespassers will be transformed’ is a rule followed with gusto at this school of witchcraft. Animals – and in the film a friend too – are in danger: how can Mary save them?
The film, then, has very suspenseful moments, just like Mary Stewart’s writing. And there is a quiet beauty to the film’s portrayal of the Shropshire countryside with its riots of flowers and fields of sheep, that also reflects Mary Stewart’s love of natural history and ability to write vivid setting. And one last detail that I loved – I was pleased to spot a tub of Celebrations in Great-Aunt Charlotte’s kitchen: you can read about how Ponoc Studio studied English life during their visit to Shropshire, leading them to include these chocolates in the film, in this Shropshire Star article. Both in its detail and in its scope, this film was highly enjoyable and I am looking forward to seeing it again in May, and to seeing the reactions of my children and my god-daughter.
They would visit her late at night, seeking her guidance and purchasing her potions. Mary's cottage was filled with jars and bottles of mysterious liquids, herbs, and strange artifacts. She would spend hours concocting her potions, carefully measuring and mixing ingredients. These potions were said to have the power to cure ailments and bring good fortune. Rumors spread throughout the village about the success of Mary's potions. Some claimed that they were able to find love, while others believed that their illnesses had been miraculously cured. These stories only increased the curiosity and fear surrounding the witch. One day, a young girl named Emily stumbled upon Mary's cottage. She had been intrigued by the stories she had heard about the witch and couldn't resist the temptation to see the mysterious woman for herself. Emily cautiously approached the cottage and knocked on the door. To her surprise, Mary opened the door and invited her inside. The cottage was filled with an enchanting aroma of herbs and potions. Mary sat Emily down and asked what she desired. Emily hesitated for a moment before confessing her true desire – to save her sick mother. Mary listened attentively and promised to help. She mixed a potion using a blend of herbs and whispered incantations. She gave the potion to Emily, instructing her to give it to her mother with utmost care. Days turned into weeks, and Emily's mother's health began to improve. The villagers were astounded by the miraculous recovery, and rumors spread that Mary's potions were indeed magical. The once fearful townsfolk started seeking her help and advice, with a newfound respect for the witch. Mary's reputation began to change, and she was no longer seen as a wicked witch but rather as a wise and powerful healer. The village even started celebrating her, organizing festivals in her honor. Mary's place in the community had transformed from an outcast to a respected figure. Mary, the once feared witch, had become a symbol of hope and magic in Greenwood. Her mysterious abilities and the power of her potions had brought joy and healing to the lives of many. Through her actions, she had shattered the stereotypes and prejudices that had once surrounded her. And so, Mary the witch continued to live in her cottage on the outskirts of town. She continued to help those in need, using her potions and magic to bring happiness to the lives of others. The village of Greenwood would forever remember her as the witch who changed the way they saw magic and believed in its power..
Reviews for "The Prophecies of Mary the Witch: The Future Unveiled"
1. Jennifer - 1 star
I really did not enjoy "Mary the Witch". I found the storyline to be extremely boring and predictable. The characters lacked depth and were not relatable at all. The film's pacing was also very slow, which made it even harder to stay engaged. Overall, I found "Mary the Witch" to be a major disappointment and I do not recommend it.
2. Alex - 2 stars
"Mary the Witch" fell flat for me. The animation was beautiful, but that was the only positive aspect of the film in my opinion. The plot was unoriginal and the dialogue was cliché. I found myself constantly checking my watch, waiting for something interesting to happen. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, "Mary the Witch" was a forgettable film that I would not watch again.
3. Mark - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Mary the Witch" but was left disappointed. The story lacked coherence and failed to draw me in. The characters felt one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, the animation, although visually appealing, did not make up for the weak storytelling. Overall, "Mary the Witch" did not live up to its potential and I would not recommend it to others.
4. Sarah - 1 star
I found "Mary the Witch" to be incredibly dull. The pacing was slow and the plot barely held my attention. The characters were bland and I had no emotional investment in their journey. The film lacked any real excitement or intrigue. Overall, "Mary the Witch" was a tedious watch and I regretted wasting my time on it.
5. Michael - 2 stars
"Mary the Witch" was a disappointing film. The storyline had potential, but it was poorly executed. The narrative felt disjointed and I struggled to follow along. The animation was visually stunning, but it wasn't enough to salvage the film for me. I found myself losing interest quickly and was left underwhelmed by the end. Overall, "Mary the Witch" is not a movie I would recommend.