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Five Things You (Might) Not Know About ‘The Witches’

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In 1990, Nicolas Roeg’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches burst onto the big screen, terrifying children and delighting their parents. It was one of the largest first-run commercial success the director experienced in his life time (though its box office numbers were not stellar by any means), and as we mourn his passing today, I thought it would be fun to look behind the scenes of this fabulous film.

So, let’s take a look at five things you (might) not know about The Witches!

#1 The Witches was the last film produced by Lorimar Productions.

Lorimar Productions was established in the late 1960s, and had produced and/or distributed a number of wildly different films in its two decades of existence. The studio was behind CruisingAn Officer and a Gentleman, and The Postman Always Rings Twice alongside TV series and mini-series such as Stephen King’s IT and Freddy’s Nightmares.

The film was completed in 1989 and set for distribution when the company’s theatrical division was dissolved. Rights for distribution were sold to Warner Bros. but the film still sat on a shelf for almost a year before it was finally released in theaters.

#2 Anjelica Huston was not the first choice to take on the role of the Grand High Witch.

It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Anjelica Huston in this role!

As hard as it is to believe, a LOT of other actresses were considered for the role of the devious Grand High Witch in the film.

In fact, over the years rumor has it a number of other actresses were considered for the role from the time of writing and through the casting process. Whether these rumors were based in fact or purely anecdotal doesn’t seem to matter all that much, but reports have tied Vanessa Regrave, Eartha Kitt, Susan Sarandon, Liza Minnelli, Faye Dunaway, Jodie Foster, and even Cher to the casting process.

Any one of these actresses could have no doubt killed the role, but this is one of those instances where you have to ask, “Would they have done it better than Anjelica?”

#3 This was the last film Jim Henson personally oversaw and worked on directly.

(Photo via WikiMedia Commons)

Legendary puppeteer and creature creator, Jim Henson designed three different sets of mouse puppets for The Witches. The smallest were actually mouse-sized with control wires that were said to be hair thin and the largest came in at around three feet in length which Roeg used for a couple of close up shots in the film.

What’s more, it was Henson who convinced Roald Dahl not to condemn the project and remove his name from it when he wrote a letter to the author after hearing of his displeasure.

Sadly, Henson died just days before the film made its UK debut from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. He was 53 years old. In an odd coincidence Dahl, himself, passed away the same year.

#4 It was never revealed why the witches wanted to rid the world of children.

As baffling as it might sound, and it does if you’re like me and you had it in your head that the reason was spelled out in the film, neither the book nor the film explained exactly why the witches hated children so much.

Was it a lifelong vendetta? Did they just think they were brats? Was it a long game to ensure the human race was wiped out?

Who knows?

Perhaps Roald Dahl knew, but he never explained it in the original text, and Nicolas Roeg, taking his cue from the novel, didn’t get a clear reason either.

#5 As dark as the film is, the book was much darker.

 

As we’ve seen with so many children’s stories and books adapted for the big screen, the production team really toned down the darkness during the process of adaptation.

Unlike the film, for instance, Luke (who never actually had a name in the book) was never returned to his human form and realizes toward the end that this means his life has been seriously cut short. Mice only live a few years under the best of circumstances, after all, and he has to come to terms with that fact.

It was implied in the book that Bruno aka the other little boy turned into a mouse, was drowned in a bucket of water by a janitor at his father’s insistence which fit into the Grand High Witch’s plan to have all the children killed by unsuspecting teachers, janitors, and parents when they had become mice.

Bonus Fact!

Roald Dahl, as previously mentioned was very displeased with this adaptation. In fact, he was so displeased it’s said that he left instructions in his will that set the standards very high for anyone in the future who might want to adapt his work for film!

 

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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