Adapting Roald Dahl’s work often creates a clash between source material and cinematic vision. The Witches exists as two distinct versions that offer very different experiences for viewers, reflecting various choices in tone, effects, and storytelling.
This quiz focuses on the evolution of the story on screen, from the 1990 practical effects to the 2020 remake. You will see questions about casting, production decisions, and the significant shifts in creative direction between the two films.
After you finish, check out our collections on Roald Dahl adaptations, dive into special effects history, or browse more book-to-film projects.
Who directed the 1990 film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’?
Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito
Mel Stuart
Mel Stuart
Nicolas Roeg
Nicolas Roeg
Henry Selick
Henry Selick
What was a primary reason for Roald Dahl’s strong dislike of the 1990 film’s ending?
The film changed the ending to be happy by restoring the boy back into his human form.
The film changed the ending to be happy by restoring the boy back into his human form.
The film revealed that the entire story was just a dream sequence.
The film revealed that the entire story was just a dream sequence.
The film depicted the grandmother turning into a witch herself.
The film depicted the grandmother turning into a witch herself.
The film chose to kill off both the boy and the grandmother at the end.
The film chose to kill off both the boy and the grandmother at the end.
Which special effects company was responsible for the mouse transformations in the 1990 version of The Witches?
Weta Workshop
Weta Workshop
Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Industrial Light & Magic
Industrial Light & Magic
Stan Winston Studios
Stan Winston Studios
Who portrayed the Grand High Witch in the controversial 1990 film?
Helena Bonham Carter
Helena Bonham Carter
Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton
Anjelica Huston
Anjelica Huston
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway
In what year was the remake of ‘The Witches’ directed by Robert Zemeckis released?
2020
2020
2022
2022
2019
2019
2021
2021
Which actress played the Grand High Witch in the 2020 remake?
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o
Viola Davis
Viola Davis
Octavia Spencer
Octavia Spencer
The 2020 remake moved the primary setting of the plot to which location and time period?
Mississippi, 1970s
Mississippi, 1970s
Mississippi, 1960s
Mississippi, 1960s
Alabama, 1950s
Alabama, 1950s
Alabama, 1960s
Alabama, 1960s
Which animal is the protagonist transformed into by the Grand High Witch in the 2020 film?
Mouse
Mouse
Owl
Owl
Cat
Cat
Toad
Toad
What is the status of the transformed boy at the end of the 2020 film remake?
He is transformed back into a human.
He is transformed back into a human.
He is trapped inside a painting.
He is trapped inside a painting.
He remains a mouse permanently.
He remains a mouse permanently.
He is transformed into a cat.
He is transformed into a cat.
What was the primary reason for Roald Dahl’s dissatisfaction with the 1990 film adaptation?
The casting of the female leads.
The casting of the female leads.
The musical score choices.
The musical score choices.
The alteration of his story’s moral conclusion.
The alteration of his story’s moral conclusion.
His hatred for his own work.
His hatred for his own work.
According to the original source material, what physical feature helps identify a witch?
They wear gloves to hide their claws and have square feet.
They wear gloves to hide their claws and have square feet.
They are physically indistinguishable from humans.
They are physically indistinguishable from humans.
They are small, furry creatures.
They are small, furry creatures.
They have long tails that they try to hide.
They have long tails that they try to hide.
What is a common criticism of the witches’ appearance in the 1990 film?
They are not grotesque enough compared to the book.
They are not grotesque enough compared to the book.
They are too scary for children.
They are too scary for children.
The makeup is considered too simple and plain.
The makeup is considered too simple and plain.
The witches are depicted as friendly ghosts.
The witches are depicted as friendly ghosts.
Which statement accurately identifies the difference in production style between the 1990 and 2020 films?
The 1990 version was directed by Robert Zemeckis.
The 1990 version was directed by Robert Zemeckis.
The 2020 version is a musical.
The 2020 version is a musical.
The 2020 version is a remake, while the 1990 version focused on dark practical effects.
The 2020 version is a remake, while the 1990 version focused on dark practical effects.
The 1990 version was a direct sequel.
The 1990 version was a direct sequel.
What was a notable challenge of using practical puppet effects for the mice in the 1990 film?
The mice couldn’t speak in the 1990 version.
The mice couldn’t speak in the 1990 version.
The mouse puppets were too heavy to move realistically.
The mouse puppets were too heavy to move realistically.
The mice had to be filmed in a miniature set.
The mice had to be filmed in a miniature set.
The puppets required a massive amount of hidden operators.
The puppets required a massive amount of hidden operators.
Regarding the 1990 film, how did Roald Dahl react to the adaptation of his book?
He refused to watch any part of the production.
He refused to watch any part of the production.
He hated the changed happy ending and threatened to remove his name from the credits.
He hated the changed happy ending and threatened to remove his name from the credits.
He was already deceased and never saw the final film.
He was already deceased and never saw the final film.
He loved the changed ending and praised it for being more ‘fun’.
He loved the changed ending and praised it for being more ‘fun’.
In what decade is the 2020 film adaptation of *The Witches* set?
1990s
1990s
1970s
1970s
1960s
1960s
1980s
1980s
Which physical trait characterizes the witches in the 2020 film adaptation?
Elongated, wide mouths
Elongated, wide mouths
Horns on their heads
Horns on their heads
Green skin
Green skin
Pointed ears
Pointed ears
Which actor serves as the narrator for the 2020 film adaptation of *The Witches*?
Chris Rock
Chris Rock
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman
Will Smith
Will Smith
What was Roald Dahl’s reaction to the altered ending of the 1990 film adaptation?
He was indifferent because he did not write the screenplay.
He was indifferent because he did not write the screenplay.
He praised it as a creative improvement over his original book.
He praised it as a creative improvement over his original book.
He initially disliked it but changed his mind after seeing the final cut.
He initially disliked it but changed his mind after seeing the final cut.
He called the film ‘utterly appalling’ and threatened to remove his name from the credits.
He called the film ‘utterly appalling’ and threatened to remove his name from the credits.
Which film studio distributed both the 1990 and 2020 film versions of *The Witches*?
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures
Walt Disney Studios
Walt Disney Studios
What is commonly cited by film critics as the most significant aesthetic shift between the 1990 and 2020 versions?
The choice of the film’s title.
The choice of the film’s title.
The casting of child actors.
The casting of child actors.
The use of a black-and-white color palette.
The use of a black-and-white color palette.
The use of practical effects (puppets) vs CGI.
The use of practical effects (puppets) vs CGI.
Due to the global events of 2020, what was the primary distribution method for the Robert Zemeckis remake in the United States?
Wide theatrical release
Wide theatrical release
Direct-to-streaming release
Direct-to-streaming release
Direct-to-video DVD release
Direct-to-video DVD release
Limited drive-in theater release only
Limited drive-in theater release only
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If you enjoy comparing different takes on cinema, look at our pages covering cult classics, explore the history of troubled productions, or study iconic movie villains.
