To think The Witches is a weird-ass film and borderline not suitable for children?

[Ineedtosleep79]

Its a strange one cos some parts seem go follow the completely normal fantasy, fancy-free, cute talking animals theme that you get in a lot of childrens films at Christmas. But then some parts are trippy and remind me of 80s horror films that should be on at 11pm. The costumes alone are downright hideous.

I was just thinking of this film today! Has it been on over Christmas? I was explaining the square toe thing to my husband who looked at me like I was talking gibberish

The kids film? The one with Rowan Atkinson in it? It's hardly scary

It's on right now, which is why I'm guessing the reason for the thread lol.

The original or the remake?
Mind you both are creepy.

It's horrifying!

But the higher the drama the more the kids engage sometimes. As long as they can sleep.

Lol 😂 It's on right now on 5star!

And it's an edited version too.

I feel like it has the beginnings of a horror film, without actually developing and crossing over into that. It sort of dances on the border between fantasy and horror. I feel like it stops short by a whisker of being able to be deemed officially as scary. And now I feel like a film critic 😂 lol

See now I feel stupid. Cos there is just a couple of cute talking mice running around in a hotel 😂

The remake is a bit scary for younger children, the Grand High Witch scared the shit out of my younger kids (6 and 9, and not particularly sensitive kids!). I’m reasonably careful with film ratings but bend the rules here and there using my own judgement of what I know my kids enjoy or can appreciate/tolerate. This was a PG so we just whacked it on but I’m not sure how it’s a PG, it’s creepy!

I loved this film as a kid (presuming you mean the original) specifically because it's weird and creepy. I've always had a love for all things dark and macabre.

I think some children enjoy the thrill of something a bit scary just as some adults do. I think this movie does well to fulfil that without crossing the line into too scary/inappropriate for children.

The Nic Roeg one? Yeah it is a bit nuts. But his stuff always had a discombobulating vibe. Really unique filmmaker.

I’ve not seen the film but if it’s anything like the book it should be very weird and creepy. In a good way.

I flicked over the channels this arvo and saw it was on. Very quickly flicked to another channel. It scared the crap out of me as a youngster and still does now. The Grand High Witch is up there with some of the worst baddies in history!

I’ve stayed in the hotel where they filmed the original!

Roald Dahl is horror for children though.

I took friends to the cinema to see the original for my 8th birthday party. The grand high witch scared me so much I cried. I was talking to a friend about it the other day who came with me and she really remembers it too!

YABVU. Children love stuff like that. Roald Dahl is full of grotesque things. I don't think it's inappropriate at all. Ok some smaller children might be scared by it, but children are scared of all sorts of random things anyway. You get to know what will and won't bother your child and choose books and films accordingly.

It's horror for kids, DDs always loved anything a bit scary, especially DD2. I remember the classroom assistant reading the book to us at school in installments when we were 7 or 8. I was absolutely riveted and couldn't wait for the next chapter.

I dunno I think a healthy dose of peril/mild gore/horror whilst safe at home is good for kids. Helps to develop their imaginations 😁

YABU, it’s not borderline anything, it’s a kids film.

I’ve stayed at the hotel the original was filmed at. Had a tour around the hotel from the concierge lady about it all, was brilliant. Hotel looks scary from outside, but I think it was because I was channeling my eight year old self and thinking I would meet the grand high witch. 😂

Yes weird ass film just watched it. I do like it though. Hilariously Angelica Huston in the film resemblances in manner and appearance my horrible neighbour who does actually speak to people like that, particularly "trades" people as she refers to them.

its written and shot as a horror story. It’s horrifically dark and terrifying and there is no happy safe ending.

i read the book and watched the original as a child and was absolutely terrified but also completely loved them!!! Some of it still sticks with me - the tragedy of the child stuck in the painting is desperately sad.

I will definitely introduce my children to it. Maybe not quite yet though…

My 8 yo said she wanted me to read it to her so I did and it was a lot more sinister as an adult than I remember if being as a child. I think the bits about children vanishing at the start is worse from an adult’s perspective!