Witches Film Essay

By Isla

Roald Dahl's novel The Witches (published 1983) comes alive in the film The Witches, directed by Nicolas Roeg in 1990. Roeg uses special camera techniques such as over the shoulder, extreme close up, wide angle shot and low angle to help us understand the film, The Witches.

One of many techniques Roeg uses is extreme close up. He uses this to bring us close to the action to increase the tension. An example of this is when all the witches are in the conference room and the

Grand High Witch takes off her mask revealing her extremely ugly nose. This shot makes us feel uncomfortable and makes us want to lean back in our seat, to get away from danger.

Roeg uses the wide angle shot to set the scene, he uses this shot at the beginning of the film and he shows  us where the Grandmother lives. This makes us feel safe and far away from any danger.

Another technique Roeg uses is the low angle shot. Roeg uses this shot to show that the boy in his tree hut has authority over the witch. For this shot the camera is placed on the ground and is looking up.

Roeg uses close up several times in the film, The Witches. This shot focuses on one object and blurs out the background, this making us feel slightly uncomfortable. An example of this is when the Grandmother first sees the witches eyes at the hotel.

Roeg uses these cinematic devices and many more to help us have a better understanding of the film, The Witches.