Unveiling the Secrets Behind the Iconic Life-Size Wicked Witch of the West

The life-size wicked witch of the west is a notable character from L. Frank Baum's famous novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," which was published in 1900. The wicked witch of the west, often known as Elphaba Thropp, is portrayed as the primary antagonist in the story and exhibits a dark, evil personality. Although the character of the wicked witch of the west is well-known worldwide due to the enduring popularity of "The Wizard of Oz," it was further popularized through various adaptations, including the iconic 1939 film adaptation starring actress Margaret Hamilton as the menacing witch. The character's iconic appearance includes her signature pointed hat, green skin, and long, black dress. The wicked witch of the west possesses magical abilities, including the power to fly on a broomstick and to conjure spells.

The wicked witch of the west possesses magical abilities, including the power to fly on a broomstick and to conjure spells. She is feared by the inhabitants of the Land of Oz due to her malicious nature and her desire to gain control over the magical silver slippers worn by Dorothy, the protagonist. Throughout the story, the wicked witch of the west relentlessly pursues Dorothy and her companions in an attempt to reclaim the enchanted slippers and hinder their progress on their journey to meet the wizard.

Hocus Pocus 2 theory gives more meaning to Ted Lasso star's cameo

After 30 years, we have been blessed with a spellbinding sequel to Hocus Pocus. Yes, Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) have returned to run amok. Instead of stealing the lives of all the children in Salem, the witches have a new spell to cast – one to make them all-powerful.

In the opening flashback, we meet scene-stealing Hannah Waddingham, taking on the role of the Mother Witch. Sensing (or smelling) the sisters' power, she gifts them the infamous spell book. Excited by their new powers, Winnie, Mary and Sarah are eager to cast spells, settling on the Magicae Maxima. But Book closes itself and Mother Witch pronounces that 'doomed is the witch who uses the spell'.

The Mother Witch's proclamation of doom seems like a cautionary tale. Could she have already cast the Magicae Maxima? Hocus Pocus 2 spoilers follow.

As she grabs young Sarah, preparing to feast on her soul, the Mother Witch's eyes glow. In her three minutes of screen time, she exhibits a range of powers – telekinesis, shape-shifting, teleportation and precognition ("I'm a witch, I know things").

While the Sanderson sisters have their own talents, none of them possess the same array of abilities as the Mother Witch. Such a variety of powers seem to indicate an all-powerful witch, one who has cast the MM. During her own attempt at the spell, Winnie's eyes also glow.

According to the Mother Witch, those who cast the MM become all-powerful. In folklore, the title of Mother Witch/Witch Mother is attributed to powerful initiatory spirits, worshipped by covens. Whether they're called Hecate, Nicnevin or Diana, Witch Mothers are able to bestow magical gifts.

This gift-giving is often accompanied by a book, be it spell book, Book of Shadows or grimoire. Sounds familiar. Surely, only an all-powerful Magicae Maxima-casting witch could be considered a Mother Witch.

Without looking at Book, the Mother Witch describes the MM's purpose and warns against it. She may be well-read, but being able to reel off so many details is impressive; who knows how many spells Book contains? She has an intimate knowledge of the spell's nature. Unless of course, this knowledge comes from experience.

The Mother Witch is stern and finger-pointing when warning them against the MM. Her warning is dire, the flickering look in Waddingham's eyes seem to say 'do I say, not as I do'.

'Thou art lucky to have each other', muses the Mother Witch, delighting in their sisterly affection. 'A Witch is nothing without her coven'. Yet, as Winnie points out, she is a witch alone. In her words, her coven is 'long gone' but there is a flicker of something that crosses Waddingham's face.

Her coven's backstory is vague; she doesn't warn against anything else. Could there be no greater warning against loosing your coven to the Magicae Maxima? As we discover when Winnie casts the spell, the price of power is whatever the witch holds dear.

If Winnie's price was her sisters, it wouldn't be a jump to assume that Mother Witch paid the same toll. It would explain her missing coven.

In the last shot of the film, the Mother Witch makes one final appearance, flying through the streets in her crow form. A quick bit of maths: if it was 300 years since the Sanderson sisters originally died, 30 years between films and 43 years between Winnie's 16th birthday and her first death, the Mother Witch would be at least 373 years old.

And that's ignoring how many decades (or centuries) she'd been around before. Sure, pre-1653, she had Book and the recipe for the life potion, but after giving it to the sisters did she memorise it? Keep a batch of life potion on tap?

Or, could the Magicae Maxima have enabled her to live without it? Maybe the Magicae Maxima can make a witch eternally youthful. Either way her longevity raises some questions.

Titled but not named, the Mother Witch is positioned as all-powerful, gifting spell books and bestowing powers, but missing a coven. All-powerful, just as the Magicae Maxima describes. There are fistfuls of hints that she had cast the spell, in a time off-screen.

With a post-credits scene suggesting more sequels, perhaps the Mother Witch will appear again; maybe they'll be further flashbacks and maybe these suspicions will be confirmed.

Hocus Pocus 2 is out now on Disney+, as is the original Hocus Pocus.

The Mother Witch is stern and finger-pointing when warning them against the MM. Her warning is dire, the flickering look in Waddingham's eyes seem to say 'do I say, not as I do'.

She is depicted as a cunning and powerful antagonist, using her magic and various minions, such as winged monkeys, to threaten and intimidate the protagonists. Despite her villainous nature, the wicked witch of the west has also become a symbol of female empowerment in popular culture. Some adaptations, such as the Broadway musical "Wicked," explore the character's backstory and reveal her as a misunderstood and complex figure who defies societal expectations and challenges the status quo. The life-size wicked witch of the west remains an enduring and iconic character in literature and popular culture. Her presence in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" continues to captivate audiences of all ages, showcasing the power of storytelling and the impact of memorable characters. In conclusion, the life-size wicked witch of the west is a prominent character in L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Her iconic appearance, magical abilities, and relentless pursuit of Dorothy make her a memorable and popular antagonist. Additionally, she has been celebrated for her depiction of female power, further cementing her status as a cultural icon..

Reviews for "The Power of Costume: Discovering the Impact of the Life-Size Wicked Witch of the West"

1. Sarah - 1/5 Stars

I found "Life size wicked witch of the west" to be incredibly disappointing. The acting was wooden and the special effects were lackluster. The story was also very confusing and lacked depth. Overall, it felt like a cheap knock-off of the original "Wizard of Oz" film. I would not recommend wasting your time on this film.

2. David - 2/5 Stars

I had high hopes for "Life size wicked witch of the west" but I was let down. The movie had potential with an interesting concept, but the execution was poor. The CGI was poorly done and looked fake, taking away from the overall experience. The script was also weak, with dialogue that felt forced and unnatural. Although it had some nostalgic elements, this film failed to capture the magic of the original "Wizard of Oz" story.

3. Jennifer - 2/5 Stars

"Life size wicked witch of the west" was a letdown for me. The plot dragged on and lacked excitement. The performances were lackluster and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The film also failed to capture the whimsical and enchanting atmosphere of the original "Wizard of Oz" film. Overall, it felt like a cash grab sequel that didn't live up to its potential.

4. Mark - 1/5 Stars

I cannot believe how disappointing "Life size wicked witch of the west" was. The acting was subpar and the dialogue felt forced. The sets and costumes were unimpressive, lacking the creativity and attention to detail of the original film. The storyline was predictable and lacked any surprises or twists. This film was a complete waste of time and I would not recommend it to anyone.

Celebrating the Classic: The Enduring Appeal of the Life-Size Wicked Witch of the West