Season 7: Episode 365 - ONCE UPON A TIME: The Witches (R Dahl/Film: 1990)

Welcome to a captivating episode of the Literary License Podcast's Book to Screen series, where we delve into the enchanting world of Roald Dahl's children's classic, "The Witches". Join us as we embark on a thrilling journey through the book's spine-chilling realm where child-hating witches and humans coexist. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the book's plot, critical reception, and notable adaptations, unveiling the unique blend of humour, fright, and moral lessons that mark Dahl's storytelling.

 

Joined by passionate reader Leandro Ghezzi, we discuss Dahl's distinctive portrayal of witches and draw parallels between the characters and real-world figures. We also tackle the controversy around the modifications in Dahl's books by Puffin Books aimed at appealing to modern audiences and delve into the changes made in "The Witches". The conversation extends to a comparison with the original Grimm fairy tales, and the impact of their dark and ambiguous endings.

 

Engage in our riveting discussion around Dahl's creativity, the debate over censoring his books, and the enduring charm of his dark tales that have influenced generations. We explore the enduring appeal of classics from authors like Dr. Seuss and Roald Dahl, debate the perspective of viewing old works through a modern lens, and express concern over attempts to modify books in the name of political correctness.

 

We also provide an in-depth review of the 1990 film adaptation of "The Witches" starring Anjelica Huston and discuss on how Dahl's narratives have been translated on screen. The debate explores the age-old question – do children’s literature and film adaptations really need happy endings? Ride along on this literary exploration as we delve deeper into the magical world created by the prodigious author, Roald Dahl.