Roald Dahl’s The Witches (Robert Zemeckis)

[klauswhereareyou]

I'm a big Roald Dahl fan, and a fan of this book. I thought the original movie was good save for the changed ending (which was a little corny). I look forward to this movie and find the changes intriguing.

[JackForrester]

Originally Posted by Michael24

I've never read the book but from what I've heard about it, I was always under the impression that the 1990 film remained more or less faithful, except for the change in ending. Does the film deviate even more from the book beyond that?

Nope, that's pretty much it. Also,

[Show spoiler] Luke never leaves the room where the witches' meeting is being held once he's caught. There's no chase around the hotel (which I thought was farfetched to being with. No one in a hotel notices a kid being chased by a group of crazy women? Lol)

[JMDiaz718]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

Seriously??

What gets rammed through the pc meat grinder next? Raymond Briggs?

What has this angle got to do with Dahl's very wicked little British/Norwegian fairytale??

If the thought of a black cast bothers you, stay home and save your money.

I like the idea of it being set in the US. Most remakes of European movies, are relocated to a US setting, why is this one any different?

I just hope it's as creepy as the original. Some comedy yes, total kiddie flick NO.

I have to look for my DVD and re-watch the original.

[JackForrester]

Originally Posted by JMDiaz718

I like the idea of it being set in the US. Most remakes of European movies, are relocated to a US setting, why is this one any different?

Also most remakes suck compared to the original film, so let's hope there's a better reasoning than just imitating what other remakes did before.

[McCrutchy]

I wish this would hurry up and get shot, finished and given a release date, so I can get the original 1990 film on Blu-ray (or better yet, UHD Blu-ray).

[JMDiaz718]

Originally Posted by JackForrester

Also most remakes suck compared to the original film, so let's hope there's a better reasoning than just imitating what other remakes did before.

But, once in a while, we're all SHOCKED by a GREAT remake.

The Fly, The Blob, The Thing, A Star is Born, Scarface, The Birdcage, Cape Fear, Dawn of the Dead, Little Shop of Horrors, Invasion of the Body Snatchers '78, True Grit, etc..

Have faith brother! You may be pleasantly surprised.

[Spirit Zero]

Originally Posted by dgoswald

The U.S.' historical relationship with its black population is prime material for subtextual drama. There are somewhat comparable situations in Europe, but nothing on the scale and general accessibility of what happened and happens in the States.

But that has nothing to do with this story

This isn't a dark American political drama, its a fairytale about witches.

It's like taking Mary Poppins or The Snowman and setting in 60's Alabama

[dgoswald]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

But that has nothing to do with this story

This isn't a dark American political drama, its a fairytale about witches.

It's like taking Mary Poppins or The Snowman and setting in 60's Alabama

It's whatever the writer or director want it to be. Although, I'm wondering what part of story will be reinterpreted if that's what they choose to do. Or maybe it's just colour blind casting and relocating? It could still follow the beats of the book but set in a different country. I'm sure black children would be afraid of a hidden coven of witches? A black grandmother has the same desire to protect her grandson?

[Cremildo]

I watched Roeg's film a few years back, and thought it was boring, ugly, and ridiculous. I should've watched it as a little kid, not as an adult. Any change Zemeckis makes can only be an improvement, in my (minority) opinion.

[JMDiaz718]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

I watched Roeg's film a few years back, and thought it was boring, ugly, and ridiculous. I should've watched it as a little kid, not as an adult. Any change Zemeckis makes can only be an improvement, in my (minority) opinion.

I liked the original. Though I do admit being a bit bored, when Angelica was not on screen. It's still a cute movie.

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by dgoswald

It's whatever the writer or director want it to be.

It doesn't mean that it'll work or it'll be well received. There are stories that defined by their settings. Get Carter, for example, had its own distinct feel due to its setting. The remake, however, was set in dreary Seattle and it didn't fit right and there's The Nutcracker: The Untold Story...
It's like remaking Gone With The Wind and setting it in South Central L.A. or if we got that Anna and the King remake via Peter Griffin.

This has zero to do with color despite what you believe. It's about changing things to fit some socio-political kick Hollywood's on right now.

[Wintendo]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

'Back in November, I had reported at OmegaUnderground some exclusive plot details about Robert Zemeckis’ upcoming remake of Roald Dahl’s The Witches for Warner Bros. Those details included specific stuff like the young male lead being played by an African-American actor along with the setting taking place in Alabama during 1969.

Omega Underground has a new plot detail to share about Robert Zemeckis’ remake of The Witches which will be taking place in Alabama instead of the United Kingdom. The era of the film will be taking place during the year 1969.

Previously, we reported that the male lead (unlikely to be named Luke) and his grandmother would be played by African-American actors. Also, his pet mouse Daisy will be a girl that had been previously turned into a mouse by a Witch. Burno will also complete the trio who once the boys are turned into mice will team-up with Daisy to take down the Witches’ plot to turn all the children of the world into mice.

Well, French film outlet Allocine has been able to speak with the director about his upcoming adaptation and he confirmed these details reported over the fall to them during their one-on-one interview. Although, Robert is being a little vaguer than we were.

“Yeah, we’re gonna set in the Goth South in the 1960s. That’s an exciting way to put a sociological spin on this traditional witch story.” '

https://hnentertainment.co/robert-ze...ing-the-1960s/

dang lmao. make me wanna root for witches plan to win in the circumstances. hope they all turn mice. or rats make prequel to ratatouille lmfao. agree with other post better get 1990s version in blu ray.

[filmbuffTX]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

I wish this would hurry up and get shot, finished and given a release date, so I can get the original 1990 film on Blu-ray (or better yet, UHD Blu-ray).

I have this region free release from Spain. It looks good. The only thing it’s lacking is English subtitles.

[dgoswald]

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

It doesn't mean that it'll work or it'll be well received. There are stories that defined by their settings. Get Carter, for example, had its own distinct feel due to its setting. The remake, however, was set in dreary Seattle and it didn't fit right and there's The Nutcracker: The Untold Story...
It's like remaking Gone With The Wind and setting it in South Central L.A. or if we got that Anna and the King remake via Peter Griffin.

This has zero to do with color despite what you believe. It's about changing things to fit some socio-political kick Hollywood's on right now.

As someone who's read the book each year since the age of 6, I don't find the idea of riffing with certain facets of the story to be an objectionable act. If there's some universal truth inherent in the DNA of the story, then it could be set literally anywhere on Earth, and still retain that innate and identifiable sense of what makes The Witches a story that resonates with readers to this day.

Originally Posted by CelluloidPal

This has zero to do with color despite what you believe. It's about changing things to fit some socio-political kick Hollywood's on right now.

Is this where you remind me you're black?

[CelluloidPal]

Originally Posted by dgoswald

As someone who's read the book each year since the age of 6, I don't find the idea of riffing with certain facets of the story to be an objectionable act. If there's some universal truth inherent in the DNA of the story, then it could be set literally anywhere on Earth, and still retain that innate and identifiable sense of what makes The Witches a story that resonates with readers to this day.

Well, that's your opinion.

Originally Posted by dgoswald

Is this where you remind me you're black?

Dude, let's not even go there. If you are trying to be funny, you're not.
I am not looking to get suspended or banned for even responding to your "remark".

[Spirit Zero]

Originally Posted by dgoswald

It's whatever the writer or director want it to be. Although, I'm wondering what part of story will be reinterpreted if that's what they choose to do. Or maybe it's just colour blind casting and relocating? It could still follow the beats of the book but set in a different country. I'm sure black children would be afraid of a hidden coven of witches? A black grandmother has the same desire to protect her grandson?

I could agree with you here if the movie were set in the present day or the last few decades.

But this is being set in the 60's, deep south USA, and the main cast are now black.

Clearly they are angling for a dark fantasy/drama loaded with political commentary

I could be wrong but why else would they set it in that period?

[Stevie81]

Originally Posted by Cremildo

I watched Roeg's film a few years back, and thought it was boring, ugly, and ridiculous. I should've watched it as a little kid, not as an adult. Any change Zemeckis makes can only be an improvement, in my (minority) opinion.

Ridiculous - Expected as its Roald Dahl!
Ugly - Yes, they're Witches, they're meant to be
Boring - ...you're having a laugh, right?

[Stevie81]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

I have this region free release from Spain. It looks good. The only thing it’s lacking is English subtitles.

And English language on the cover.

And being released in an English speaking country.

[gazza1975]

Originally Posted by filmbuffTX

I have this region free release from Spain. It looks good. The only thing it’s lacking is English subtitles.

Wow ? whats the picture like on that and also thew audio is ?...
a review on amazon says avoid and looks like an upscaled dvd ??

[that1guystudios]

Originally Posted by gazza1975

Wow ? whats the picture like on that and also thew audio is ?...
a review on amazon says avoid and looks like an upscaled dvd ??

Picture quality is about the same as what is available on the streaming services. Looks like a 1080i master converted to .1080p, print damage and Dolby digital stereo sound.