The Witches Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio for the first time on domestic home video, "The Witches" Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection is an audiovisual marvel. The fine-grain master positive has undergone a fresh 2K scan with extensive cleanup, highlighting Harvey Harrison's memorable cinematography. Details and textures appear refined, particularly in close-ups, where the excellent costume design and make-up effects are crisply rendered without revealing any seams in 1080p. Colors are vibrant and accurate, with well-maintained skin tones, while black levels and shadow detail remain strong without signs of black crush or white blooming. The transfer stands as a top-tier example among the studio’s catalog titles from this era, maintaining a film-like stability throughout.

Graininess is mild and naturally integrated, maintaining a splendid level of definition that brings out the intricacies of make-up effects and puppetry. Special attention is given to the colors that are emboldened with bright, primary hues without modern digital manipulation. The flesh tones are natural, and the scenery exhibits rich saturation. Particularly striking are elements like the green smoke emitted by the soon-to-be mice and the purple hues attached to Huston. However, the depth falls short, slightly lacking in black levels and overall contrast, resulting in a flat appearance through the runtime. This is presumably intentional to avoid delving into darker themes visually, in line with Dahl’s less sinister elements.

The DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio mix on the Blu-ray of "The Witches" efficiently leverages its Dolby Stereo source material to deliver a respectable audio performance. While the sound design may not be as intricate as more contemporary productions, it remains effective for the film's limited number of shooting locations. Clear separation and occasional panning effects complement well-balanced dialogue and background effects. The original score by Stanley Myers, a frequent collaborator of Nicholas Roeg, has ample presence without overshadowing other audio elements. Importantly, no damage, defects, or sync issues were noticed throughout the feature.

This stereo track, indicative of 1980s audio standards, excels in maintaining crisp dialogue and a well-balanced score, even during scenes of heightened activity and panic. Despite the lack of notable channel separation or a 5.1 upscale, the audio mix showcases impressive highs and lows with consistent fidelity. English (SDH) subtitles are available for the main feature; formatted in all caps, these white subtitles are well-positioned within the 1.85:1 frame for clarity and ease of reading.

Overall, the Blu-ray's audio presentation, while not groundbreaking, skillfully preserves the film's original auditory elements with notable clarity and balance.

The Blu-ray release of "The Witches" is presented in a standard keepcase without any slipcover or inserts, and is notably lean on bonus features, which is disappointing given the film's potential for additional content. The only extra included is the original theatrical trailer, which is brief but well-preserved, downplaying some of the film's scarier moments. There's clearly a missed opportunity here for additional content such as deleted scenes, the original ending, or behind-the-scenes footage that could've provided deeper insight into the film's production.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: A brief and well-preserved trailer downplaying some of the film's more terrifying moments.

Adapted from Roald Dahl's eponymous children's novel, Nicolas Roeg's 1990 film, "The Witches," garnered a reputation for evoking nightmares in an entire generation. This venture produced by Jim Henson Productions introduces young Luke Eveshim (Jasen Fisher), who, after the tragic demise of his parents, resides with his peculiar grandmother Helga (Mai Zetterling). Helga's sinister tales about witch identifiers—glowing purple eyes, square toes, and potent sense of smell—later prove crucial as they navigate a fateful stay at the seaside Hotel Excelsior. Managed by the uptight Mr. Stringer (Rowan Atkinson), this hotel hosts the eerie Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, led by the chilling Grand High Witch, Miss Eva Ernst (Anjelica Huston). This film balances mystery, drama, and horror in a manner rarely seen in family movies even by 1990 standards.

Roeg's decision to helm a children's movie was unexpectedly astute, incorporating his menacing visual style honed over a decade of cinematography. Filming wrapped in 1989, though delays occurred due to Lorimar Film Entertainment's closure. Sadly, Henson passed just days before the UK's 1990 release, expressing the project's bittersweet context. Despite Dahl’s frustration with the film’s lighter tone, especially regarding its re-shot ending, audiences saw an engaging mix of makeup effects and creative cinematography. The fish-eye lens shots and Henson’s impressive puppetry offered surreal adventure sequences featuring adorable mice, juxtaposed with morally deficient witches.

Though it doesn't attain the grandeur of Henson’s past works like "Dark Crystal," "The Witches" imbues a uniquely discomforting atmosphere within its confined hotel setting. The Blu-ray transfer commendably showcases the film’s remarkable cinematography and makeup effects, elevating it significantly above previous home video editions. While devoid of real extras, this 1.85:1 restoration stands as a beautiful testament to its visual storytelling — a gratifying upgrade for longtime fans while continuing to instill a new generation with whimsical fear.

The Witches Blu-ray delivers an extraordinary audiovisual experience that captures the essence of this darkly enchanting film. The restoration is outstanding, bringing out vibrant colors and meticulous details that faithfully represent the original cinematic vision. Enhanced sound quality ensures every whisper and eerie cackle is heard with spine-tingling clarity. While the lack of substantial extras may disappoint some, the primary draw of revisiting this well-crafted film in high definition more than compensates.

The movie itself, directed by Nicolas Roeg, is a masterclass in balancing whimsy with genuinely unsettling elements. The Jim Henson Company's puppetry and visual effects are stellar, blending seamlessly into the narrative to create memorable and chilling scenes. The effective editing keeps the tension high without overshadowing the fairy tale charm that underpins the story. This adaptation of Roald Dahl's work succeeds in being both entertaining and thought-provoking, crafting a unique space in children’s cinema that few films dare to explore.

The Witches is perfect family entertainment...for the right family, of course. Others may find it an entirely traumatizing experience, and I'm cautious enough about its darkest elements to postpone sharing it with my little one for a couple more years. But it's clearly a well-crafted film with extremely memorable visuals and effective editing, boosted by The Jim Henson Company's trademark brand of top-tier puppetry and visual effects. Assuming you're not too emotionally scarred from the theatrical experience, those with distant but branded memories will find Warner Archive's Blu-ray an excellent way to revisit The Witches: its outstanding restoration is a good enough selling point, even without the benefit of real extras. This one's highly recommended to die-hard fans, but newcomers may want to proceed with caution.