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

73 replies

Ineedtosleep79 · 01/01/2023 16:05

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.

OP posts:
Brainfogmcfogface · 01/01/2023 17:24

I watched it as a kid and it terrified me, I ran away from a woman in Iceland who had square type shoes and was convinced I saw purple in her eyes, poor cow was just doing her shopping and had a little me scream hysterically at her and run out the shop 🙈

applebee33 · 01/01/2023 17:25

Yes even though I like it but I get uncomfortable when the witch's almost look like they are getting sexual pleasure when sniffing the kids etc , the moans and facial expressions are kind of creepy

RudsyFarmer · 01/01/2023 17:31

My child used to be terrified of this film. Not even sure he’s watch it now to be honest! I do remember it coming out (the one with the Adams woman) when I was in my teens and I really enjoyed how awful it was.

berrycakeandcustard · 01/01/2023 17:33

I agree with you @Ineedtosleep79 , the witches are terrifying. I think it's too scary for some young children!

Crabbyboot · 01/01/2023 18:01

The film is scary. The book is even more scary but I absolutely loved it as a child!

HoneyIShrunkThePizza · 01/01/2023 18:02

Kids are macabre little feckers, they love it!

SleepyCatOnTheLap · 01/01/2023 18:08

It's horrible! Very scary.
I think Dahl's book aren't suitable for children but the school disagrees. Very creepy!

InFiveMins · 01/01/2023 18:10

The scene where the little girl disappears from the painting gives me chills every time.

Rosiestraws · 01/01/2023 18:11

I agree! I remember watching bits of the movie at a friend of a friend's house when I was very small...I can't remember how little but they were a good few years older and think I might have been as young as 5 or 6! I had nightmares for ages after!

I also remember my teacher reading the book to us when I was about 8 or 9 and she reads that bit about how a witch could be your teacher reading this to you right now! Then I also went through a phase of looking out for witches and saw a lady always walking her dog with gloves on and was convinced she was a witch. Ugh and the bit with the witch trying to give the boy a snake in the movie and saying his nan can't hear from screaming for help... SHUDDER! I'd say secondary school age at least to watch it!

SpikeGilesSandwich · 01/01/2023 19:16

I loved it as a kid but I liked creepy stuff. I don't think my DS would cope with it for a few years as he's more sensitive.
Some kids like scary films, some don't, fair enough.

autienotnaughty · 01/01/2023 21:10

The original is excellent I'd say suitable from about 8+. The remake was weird and I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

Cakecakecheese · 01/01/2023 21:13

It terrified me when I was a child.

icecreamplease · 01/01/2023 21:19

The film still terrifies me to this day and I can't watch it without being creeped out

YourVagesty · 01/01/2023 21:19

YABU for using the phrase 'weird-ass'.

pifflesticks · 01/01/2023 21:21

Yes that painting. Brilliant

Keyansier · 01/01/2023 21:25

YourVagesty · 01/01/2023 21:19

YABU for using the phrase 'weird-ass'.

Yeah, because 'YourVagesty' is so much classier.

Daisychainsandglitter · 01/01/2023 21:26

I've not watched either of the films but I loved the book as a child. I found it bloody terrifying though!

RedHelenB · 01/01/2023 21:26

Of course its suitable for children, it's a film of a children's book.

terriblyangryattimes · 01/01/2023 21:35

I remember going to the cinema to watch this when it was first released (as a child so the original one) and the boy of the family we'd gone with burst into tears, ran out and refused to go back in under any circumstances! They say in the lobby till it finished and my family came out. So I guess it is pretty scary for some! (We would've been 7)

AllOfThemWitches · 01/01/2023 21:42

Love it. The creepiest bit is imprisoning people in paintings. I've never read any Roald Dahl but the original Willy Wonka film is a bit disturbing too so I guess the books generally are.

RelievedItsOver · 01/01/2023 21:54

The bit at the start is proper scary. Even now as an adult its creepy. Poor little erica. And also the witch who puts the snake on Luke's garden wall when he is playing in the tree house.

But I adored the film and book as a kid. I have a Grand high witch mask for halloween.

TellMeWhere · 01/01/2023 22:04

I only know the old version. Loved it as a child.

"You may remove your vigs!"

arghtriffid · 01/01/2023 22:06

I cannot watch this film. The hanging scene is where I stopped.

YANBU It needs a trigger warning and is not a children's film.

CheerfulYank · 01/01/2023 22:09

I was TERRIFIED of it when I was a kid…I think 8 or 9. I haven’t tried it on my own kids yet!

Lightningrain · 01/01/2023 22:12

I first watched it when I was about 8 and loved it. I loved Ronald Dahl books though so already knew the plot. I didn’t find it frightening at all.

I think it’s fine for that age group unless a particularly sensitive child.