Product: The Worst Witch - Battle of the Broomsticks [VHS] (1999)
Rating: 5.0
NOT JUST FOR KIDS
This is a great presentation from Canadian/United Kingdom productions for HBO family--Based on the whimsical childrens books by Jill Murphy.Each episode is a half hour long, and there are three in this one---BATTLE OF THE BROOMSTICKS-the series pilot. Shows Mildred Hubble (charmingly portrayed by Georgina Sherrington) she's running late for her first day at the academy, and she almost immediately runs afoul of Ethel Hallow, Mildred's nemesis in the series.While Ethel is fashionably late, Mildred makes a mess of her first appearance, having to fly over the gate and crashing to some trash cans nearly missing the headmistress and Mrs. HardBroom.Luckily she makes fast friends with the soft spoken Maud Moonshine.She'll need moral support to get through the broomstickaptitude test!Episode 2- WHEN WE FEAST AT THE MIDNIGHT HOURMildred and her friends must contend with the awful school food. Maybe if Mrs. Cackle eats the same food for a week she'll consider changing the menu..... Mildred decides she and her friends should have a midnight feast, going down to the kitchen past curfew, during "Sir Walter's Wet Week" when a ghost is supposed to wander the castle corridors.Episode 3- PIG IN A POKEMr. Blossom brings his nephew Charlie for a visit to the school. Charlie decides to borrow Drusilla's cape and hat, to blend in, sneaking a peek at the big book of spells and attending the cat presentation. Mildred has to accept a cute tabby cat instead of a black one, since they ran out of them.And Ethel of course has to bully Mildred, daring her to turn her into a frog, Mildred accepts the challege except turns her into a pig..Ethel then trots off, getting lost & mistaken as a stray pig from a local farm....Mildred can't remember the reversal spell, luckily Charlie knows one, but they better hurry and find Ethel....------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you've read the books, I don't think you'll be disappointed with the adaption.I think the best audio to play it in is "British English" which I'm sure it was filmed in, and sounds better in.I also like the set, the outdoor scenes, actually shot outside, in beautiful woods or countryside...This is great for children and those young at heart---be sure to get the Halloween episode 'A MEAN HALLOWEEN'And I look forward to having my favorite two part episode "A Frog's Life" on DVD soon!MM & BB ;-)