| The Worst Witch Collection - Set 1 | 
| Directors: Andrew Morgan, Stefan Pleszczynski
Actor: Isla Graham
Studio: Bfs Entertainment
Category: DVD
Buy New: $84.95
Buy New/Used from $78.88
Avg. Customer Rating:   (10 reviews)
Sales Rank: 75668
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 150 minutes
Number Of Items: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.5 x 1.3
MPN: D30156D
ISBN: 0779251563
UPC: 066805301568
EAN: 9780779251568
ASIN: B00005N5R8
Release Date: February 8, 2002
Theatrical Release Date: July 14, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The Worst Witch set contains seven episodes of the popular TV series. Based on the internationally bestselling books of Jill Murphy that are said to have been an inspiration to J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter books, the 25-minute episodes chronicle the hilarious adventures of would-be witch Mildred Hubble. Aimed at 5- to 11-year-olds, the set starts with Mildred's first day at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, a secondary boarding school that emphasizes discipline and traditional values but that also teaches young girls how to ride broomsticks, chant, and cast spells. Mildred gets off to a flying start when arriving late on her broomstick: she crashes into the school bins. The strong storylines focus mainly on whether Mildred will make the grade as a bona fide witch and her continuing rivalry with snooty Ethel Hallow. Whether Mildred is turning Ethel into a pig or being transformed into a frog, pre-teenagers will relate to the heroine, learning from her the importance of determination, imagination, and friends. There are admirable performances from Georgina Sherrington as Mildred, Kate Duchene as the stern Miss Hardbroom, Clare Coulter as the kindly Headmistress, and the renowned Una Stubbs as the eccentric Miss Bat, who spends school holidays in the cupboard. The stories are not scary, and the special effects are used sparingly but with good results. Particularly spectacular is the image at the start of each episode of students arriving for school on broomsticks. Entertaining, amusing, and captivating, pre-teenagers are in for a real treat! --Tracey Hogan, Amazon.com.uk
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
 Essential for Pre-teen girls - Episodes 1-6, series One January 13, 2007
An excellent series about Mildred a young witch starting at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches (a witch's secondary boarding school). It's based on the few 'Worst Witch' books by Jill Murphy (an easy good read as well) - which were rather an inspiration for Harry Potter, but lacks those book's home life and complete world view. There are three TV Worst Witch series (UK years 7, 8 and 9 at school - secondary school 11 to 13 years old) - so it's well suited to younger secondary and primary school girls (6+).
This DVD has the first six episodes taken from the first series (year 7), including the first one ever screened, and so is very good value. Note that in the US this UK/Canadian series was rather tastelessly dubbed in `American' but fortunately there is a `UK English' option in the DVD setup menu where you can hear the stars real voices [the choice is yours]. The rest of series one is on the 'Miss Cackles Birthday Surprise and sorcery and chips' NTSC two DVD set', also available from Amazon.
Annoyingly only series 1 is available in the UK. In the US though the complete series two is available, so look out for the two double DVD region 1 sets 'Up in the air' (yellow cover -Mildred + Hardbroom) and 'Old hats and new brooms' (blue cover Mildred + 4 witches), also available from Amazon (and with UK English options).
At 9 these DVD's were my daughters favourite viewing and she now has all the original books (now at 12 she has now moved onto Charmed and Bewitched). The Worst Witch isn't as scary as Harry Potter and all the cast are really excellent in their roles - Miss Hardbroom [Kate Duchene] even turned down a role in the Harry Potter film to remain true to her TV character. The special effects are actually quite good as well and even the 'Cackles Academy' theme tune very catchy.
Typical quotes: "Magic must not be used for selfish or trivial ends!" - Miss Cackle, "Confidence and control, Mildred - that's the secret of success." - Miss Hardbroom. So highly recommended for non-boy offspring - this series is easily a notch above the average TV sitcom or teen movie.
Worst witch is best witch November 10, 2006
My six-year-old daughter has fallen in love with Mildred Hubble, who is the worst witch in this British series. It's about a girl who goes off to school to learn to be a witch. It's not easy and she has many misadventures, but she also makes good friends and actually turns out to be a very good witch. My daughter keeps asking me if she can go to witch school, too. The series is nicely produced. It's light and interesting -- perfect for girls from 6 to 10.
 BIG Difference between "English" and "UK English" June 29, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I can't resist mentioning something here. For reasons known only to the folks at Bfs Entertainment, these six @ 25-minute episodes have been dubbed into 'American English.' The dubbing performers are very "broad" in their handling of the material, so folks like E. Vasquez may be forgiven for thinking that Georgina Sherrington "needs acting lessons." In fact all the ORIGINAL performances are fine (given the material!) If you should happen to run across this DVD, do yourself a favor and switch from the "English" default setting to "UK English" (Set Up language #5) before playing the episodes.
I suppose this collection had to be split into two @ 75-minute discs, but it seems like a waste of disk space! Of course they don't cost much in comparison to collections of 1-hour tv shows, but these six episodes are also far fewer than what would comprise a US tv season.
The episodes are cute variations on a Harry-Potter-esque theme, with awkward young tween-witch Mildred getting in continuous hot potion with strict and severe but relatively fair Miss Hardbroom (Kate Duchene). Duchene, Clare Coulter, and Una Stubbs perform engaging variations on the Snape, Dumbledore, and McGonagall characters of the Harry Potter movies (it's hard to believe this series aired three years before "Sorcerer's Stone.") I'd recommend for pre-14 girls who like fantasy.
 The Worst Witch Collection, The Worst Collection Is Wright ! February 9, 2005
4 out of 16 found this review helpful
Obviously Tracey Hogan, of Amazon.com.uk didn't see the original movie. While it's true that at first this collection may satisfy your hunger for more antics by Mildred Hubble....
This Mildred (Georgina Sherrington) needs acting lessons !!!!!!!!! They all do !!!!!!! If you've seen the original movie, like I have. This series is disappointing to say the least !!!!!!!!!
The girl that played Mildred Hubble (Fairuza Balk) in the original movie was perfect for this role. She's enchanting especially when she's clumsy. Her wit and charm will keep you spell bound. This movie leaves you wanting to know more and wondering what happens next year like Harry Potter you're intrigued to go on.
The girl in the TV Series, however, leaves a sour taste in your mouth. When I bought the first video, by mistake, thinking that it was the original movie, I could not wait to get rid of it. I did not want this eyesore to contaminate my collection.
Even my niece who was 7 at the time, hated this movie but loved the original. When she saw that there was a series on tape she made me buy the first one then cried when she saw it and wanted to break it.
If you want quality and to have a great time, get the original, The Worst Witch (The Movie) and get it on DVD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They made a real big mistake not casting the original actress to play Mildred Hubble maybe that's why it took so long to make.
A converted fan! November 21, 2004
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I saw the original movie as a child and bought the dvd along with this series. I'd never seen the HBO series but I read most of the books. I wasn't sure what to expect but I loved it! It filled out a lot of the gaps in the movie version and I love this new Ms. Hardbroom. I've recently bought set 3 and 4 and I know I'll just love that too. I'm impressed that the audio tracks are multi-lingual...I'll get a kick out of watching it in Spanish and German! It's a great family show and the chemistry among the cast is great....I almost wish I was a kid again and in Ms. Cackles Academy!
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