What it’s about
Set in modern day Britain, a boy named Luke (Fisher) accompanies grandmother Helga (Zetterling) to a hotel which is hosting a secret witches' convention. This heavily disguised coven of crones are preparing a diabolical plan to turn all the world's children into mice. Before you can say “Eek!,” the overly nosy Luke and youthful cohort Bruno (Potter) find themselves transformed into rodents. The boys in mice form must then work to foil the witches' plan, and get themselves back to normal.
Why we love it
Roald Dahl, best-known for “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” also penned this dark little tale, which is brought to vivid cinematic life by gifted director Nicolas Roeg (“Walkabout,” “Don't Look Now”). The late Jim Henson's distinctive talents are on display in some of the rodent and witch representations, and the film also boasts broadly amusing turns by Anjelica Huston (as The Grand High Witch) and Brits Brenda Blethyn and Rowan Atkinson in supporting roles.