Three hundred years ago in the United States, there is a house on the edge of Salem Massachusetts. Inside this house you hear the cackling of three old witches known as the Sanderson sisters as they huddle around their cauldron, adding ghastly ingredients into a wicked brew. Across the room, ... Read review
This big, fat theatrical bomb has a lot going for it. There's the three leads, Bette ... more
Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, playing three resurrected witches who wreak havoc on Salem, Massachusetts, 300 hundred years after they were hung. There...
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This big, fat theatrical bomb has a lot going for it. There's the three leads, Bette ... more
Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, playing three resurrected witches who wreak havoc on Salem, Massachusetts, 300 hundred years after they were hung. There...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Paul is obssessed with magic. Ever since he was given a magic set at the age of ten he ... more
has been buying magic books props and posters and honing his skills as a magician. He keeps all his magical paraphenalia in his house in Hackney right around the corner from the magnificent Hackney Empire a venue played at by all the great illusionists of the golden era of magic some hundred years ago. One day Paul is on the phone to his friend sitting in his 'Poster Room' and chatting about how well his magic show from the night before went when he gets a strange sensation ...Suddenly the huge figure of Alexander steps out of the poster and starts telling Paul off for getting too big for his boots! Alexander and the other brilliant magicians in the posters are going to show Paul what magic is really about!
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Advantages: Hilarious, Brill characters, can watch again and again Disadvantages: Slightly adult themes.
Three hundred years ago in the United States, there is a house on the edge of Salem Massachusetts. Inside this house you hear the cackling of three old witches known as the Sanderson sisters as they huddle around their cauldron, adding ghastly ingredients into a wicked brew. Across the room, there sits a young girl dressed in white robes of the time, waiting for the witches to finish their spell and take her soul so they can live in eternal youth. ...is watching in the shadows, waiting to leap to his sisters rescue and foil their evil plan. So, as the witches edge towards their victim, forcing her to drink their poison, Zachery leaps out in a desperate bid to snatch her from their clutches however they were just too strong and the eldest sister, Winnifred (Midler) uses her powers to immobilise him then casts a spell on him to turn him into an immortal cat so that he can wallow in his failure ... more
Three hundred years ago in the United States, there is a house on the edge of Salem Massachusetts. Inside this house you hear the cackling of three old witches known as the Sanderson sisters as they huddle around their cauldron, adding ghastly ingredients into a wicked brew. Across the room, there sits a young girl dressed in white robes of the time, waiting for the witches to finish their spell and take her soul so they can live in eternal youth.
Unknown to the witches, the girls brother is watching in the shadows, waiting to leap to his sisters rescue and foil their evil plan. So, as the witches edge towards their victim, forcing her to drink their poison, Zachery leaps out in a desperate bid to snatch her from their clutches however they were just too strong and the eldest sister, Winnifred (Midler) uses her powers to immobilise him then casts a spell on him to turn him into an immortal cat so that he can wallow in his failure to rescue his sister for all eternity.
However, just as they finish sucking the life force out of the young girl, the townsfolk of the olden days storm the witches house, capture the witches and set them up on with nooses to be hanged for their retched deeds. Unremorseful, they cast a spell from their evil book bestowed to them by the devil himself that will raise them from the grave when a virgin lights the black flame candle on all hallows een so that they can return and carry out their evil plan. Then the witches hang.
It’s now 1993 in Salem and the 31st of October has become the day that kids the world over know as Halloween. Witches, goblins, devils and fairies walk the streets in search of candy. Max is uninterested however has been forced by his parents to take his younger sister out trick or treating. Luck comes his way however when they end up at the house of the girl of his dreams who tells them the tale of the old Sanderson sisters house and that her mother used to run a museum there. Not letting the chance to spend some time with his perfect woman he suggests they go down there to take in the atmosphere of the evening.
Once there, they have a look around and Max finds a candle with a story attached to it. Trying hard to impress Allison he suggests they light the candle to see if it really is a black flame but no sooner has he done this all the lights go out and the distinctive cackling of the sisters can be heard coming through the doors………..
This film is fantastic. I remember watching it as a kid and even though I was in my early teens when it came out, I was still captivated my the interacting between the three sisters and how they adapted to the strange new fangled devices and how people act that have changed in the three hundred years since they were hanged. Simple things that we use in our daily lives were used to twart their every move with hilarious consequences and the very inventive use of a vacuum cleaner had me in stitches the first time I watched it.
The characterisation of the sisters was spot on and provided no end of laughs as the story progressed. From Winnifred who is the elder and leader of the trio being rather vain even though she really has no reason to be, to the second rather plump sister Mary (Nanjimy) who clumsily hung on every word Winnifred utters to the beautiful but rather dim and slightly insane Sarah (Parker) who never listened to a word said to her rather preferring to go after any male she could find. They bounce of each other with hilarious dialogue unending enthusiasm for the purpose they have.
The acting from the three main characters is faultless and you could easily imagine the laughs they must have had making this film. Midler is perfect for the role of the scheming and evil Winnifred and carries this off with such great effect while Nanjimy take sthe goofy Mary along with perfection and leaves you rolling about as she tries to get the approval of the elder sister. Parker for me stole the show as she just threw herself into the part of Sarah as she pranced about singing little ditties and shows little care or regard for anything around her and happily stays in her own little insane world. The other characters in the film did a good job as the heroes however I did not feel that they had a chance of shining next to the evil three and did kind of fade into the background as you were left itching for the witches to make their next appearance.
Director Kenny Ortega did a marvellous job of making the film suitable eerie even though it is primarily a comedy. The fact that he is more known as a choreographer (notable films Pretty in Pink, Dirty Dancing, Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar) shines through as the witches move around in such well timed and dance like steps throughout the film. This also leads to the hilarious song in the middle where they cast a spell on all the parents, also giving Midler her chance to show off her vocal talents. He ensures that the comic timing of the dialogue is perfect and that is all flows like it should and adds to the whole fantasy. Costumes and make up well so over the top with a camp feel to them and added to the acting to make the witches the most lovable characters, even though the were essentially the baddies of the piece.
The only downside that I would see in the film is that there are a couple of themes in the film that I would have said were a bit to old for a kids audience. The fact that the candle has to be lit by a virgin would in my mind, make a lot of parents squirm when their little eight year old pipes up from the corner to act what that is. Also, with Parkers character being a little sex mad, I feel this does not quite fit in with the family theme that the film was supposed to be going for. This does add to the enjoyment for us older kids though..!
All in all though, a highly recommended film that will have you laughing and singing along that I can easily sit an watch time after time. I have given it 4 stars as with the couple of themes that I think were out of place but other than that, a joy to watch.
Cast List
Bette Midler .... Winifred Sanderson Sarah Jessica Parker .... Sarah Sanderson Kathy Najimy .... Mary Sanderson Omri Katz .... Max Dennison Thora Birch .... Dani Dennison Vinessa Shaw .... Allison Amanda Shepherd .... Emily Binx Larry Bagby .... Ernie/'Ice' Tobias Jelinek .... Jay Stephanie Faracy .... Jenny Dennison Charles Rocket .... Dave Dennison Doug Jones .... Billy Butcherson Karyn Malchus .... Headless Billy Butcherson Sean Murray .... Thackery Binx
Advantages: full of charm, adventure and MAGIC Disadvantages: none
...This is a review of Hocus Pocus, but I did want to mention that if you ever go to the United States, you must visit Salem. It’s a wonderful town. You can also learn about witchcraft through museums and also the Salem Witch Village.
Ok, back to the movie
There are 3 witches in Hocus Pocus, who are Winfred (Winnie), Mary and Sarah; the Sanderson sisters. Winfred, who is the oldest, is the leader of the other two. Mary is the next oldest and is always ... ...is a very funny movie. Hocus Pocus was probably targeting children as they’re main audience but I definitely think this film will keep adults entertained as well. There are very amusing scenes such as when the witches are resurrected. They are used to the lifestyle of the 1600s. They were brought back from the dead at night, and not used to seeing big roads. It was a huge shock to them as they thought it was a black river. It was also the night of ...
madhatter7880 05.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hocus Pocus (DVD)
Advantages: funny characters, great storyline and brilliant songs Disadvantages: bit scary for the younger kids
*~~~HOCUS POCUS~~~*
I loved this film a few years ago whilst I was working at Somerfields. My line manager looked like one of the witches (Winifred - Bette Midler) so it was particularly funny for me. I didn't get on so much with my supervisor and this film had that extra 'fear factor' due to the very close resemblance. *~~~PLOT~~~*
The movie begins in 17th century Salem in Massachusetts, USA. The Sanderson Sisters (Winifred - Bette Midler, Sarah ... ...the life of Thachary Binx's younger sister Emily. The Sanderson Sisters need to suck the life out of young kids to keep themselves young and pretty. He tries to get revenge on the sisters but they turn him into an immortal black cat free to roam the village for ever. The witches are hanged for witchcraft by the locals of Salem before their execution they mutter a spell to bring them back to life when a virgin lights the black candle. Binx (the cat) ...
leofluffy69 05.09.2007 (03.09.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hocus Pocus (DVD)
Advantages: The Cast are excellent Disadvantages: None
Hocus Pocus
A Disney movie based on Halloween night, where three 17 century witches came back to life in modern day America, because a virgin boy lit a magic candle in the witches house. The witches immortality lies within this one night, but with three kids are out to stop them at all costs.
The story
Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najima stars as the three Sanderson sisters. They were hanged 300 years ago for the murder of a local ... ...tried his best to save his sister, but the witches caught him and turned him into a cat, with immortal life. The boy never seen his family or friends ever again, and swore he would guard the Sanderson house to ensure this could never happen again to any children.
Modern day America, the Sanderson sisters are still spoke of, in history class, and as its the town of Salem, witchcraft and Halloween is a very popular topic. The Dennison family move ...
lesleyanne18 01.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hocus Pocus (DVD)
Advantages: Good family film Disadvantages: none, though perhaps the 'virgin' theme not appropriate for children
...Fantasy & Horror Films, USA. Hocus Pocus was also nominated for four other categories in the Saturn Award - Best Actress (Bette Midler), Best Fantasy Film, Best Special Effects and Best Supporting Actress (Kathy Najimy). The other award Hocus Pocus won was the Young Artist Award for Best Youth Actress Leading Role in a Motion Picture Comedy (Thora Birch), which actually tied with Christina Vidal for Life with Mikey. It was nominated for four additional ...
rhidassa 31.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hocus Pocus (DVD)
Advantages: Great story, very entertaining, kids love it Disadvantages: Why did he have to be a virgin?
In Walt Disney's Hocus Pocus, three witches killed during the Salem witch trials are brought back to life when a modern-day virgin lights a magical candle. As the film seems to be trying to set a record for the number of times the word "virgin" is used, the question was bound to come up. "Mummy, what's a virgin?" asks my five-year-old daughter. "Someone who's never been kissed," replies Mummy, thinking that's plenty of detail for a child of her age.. ... ..."Virgin" problem aside, Hocus Pocus is a great film and most kids will love it, though very small ones might find it a bit too scary. After all, the witches plan to become young and beautiful again by sucking the life out of little children. There is a scene towards the beginnning of the film when the three witches are tried by the village elders for abducting a little girl and are hanged. I was a bit worried about my daughter seeing that, but it ...
alliecat 25.05.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hocus Pocus (DVD)
A supernatural comedy in which three teenagers investigate the hauntings at a local house in Salem and suddenly become the only people able to prevent a group of three hundred year old witches finding everlasting life.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINM; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Release date
05/02/2001
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
BED 888209
Barcode
5017188882095
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio
1.85 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
DVD Description
The Sanderson Sisters are 17th century witches who were conjured up by unsuspecting pranksters in present-day Salem. The key to their immortality involves three children and a talking cat, who also turn out to be their biggest obstacles.
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