The Witching of Ben Wagner (1987 TV Movie) User Reviews

Mild message movie

[trentdotson · 5/10 · 5 June 2020]

"The Witching of Ben Wagner" is not "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," if that's the vibe you're seeking. If you're looking for a lesson, though, you've come to the right place. At least it's a worthy lesson. The problem is, "Witching" not only lacks magic, it lacks charm. The sole exception is the little girl playing Regina, who is uncannily pretty. The rest of the cast is pretty mediocre, starting with the little boy playing Ben and ending with Sylvia Sydney (the "name" actor on board), who as Regina's grandmother is creepy--and not in a fun way. The sets meanwhile are glaringly cheap (the elaborate paneling on the front door of the family's ramshackle "Victorian" is obviously painted on). Meanwhile the locations are quite beautiful. Too beautiful. The "witches" seem to be living in a national park. Which of course is exactly what the place is.

Overall, "Witching" isn't terrible. Undemanding kids will probably enjoy it.

Story focal points

[jessejmartin · 10/10 · 20 October 2000]

I don't really have much of a comment about the film, in the role of play, (i.e. how it was acted). But what I could say, is that the story itself made sense almost all the way though. You had to watch it a few times, not only by visualising the effect, but to listen very carefully to the characters used, with a little feeling, and it's makes sense. Even though the story might be fiction about the belief of witch craft, but from the earlier of years, such witch craft was a little possible, and still is in some cases of today.

When I was too about that age group, I believed in such stories about witch craft, reason being I had heard them amongst other people. But not only about the fact of beliefs, but the story in it's location helped made all the sense.

Only thing is, that the characters played their part so well focusing not only on family behaviour, but the love and understanding of different people that would have been treated differently. I have enjoyed it so much, at that time, as it made me feel a little of my own family. That I would have loved to be part of it. It would be nice to see another film similar to it.