Bake Off’s Briony May speaks out against new adaption of The Witches

Great British Bake Off star Briony May Williams has called out the depiction of limb impairments in the upcoming remake of The Witches.

Warner Bros’ remake of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel has been criticised for its depictions of limb difference and disability in the upcoming film.

Anne Hathaway and other “evil” characters in the film are shown with hand and feet impairments.

Baker Briony May, who lives in Bristol, spoke out against the film via Instagram.

“This is really hard post for me to write,” she said. “I’ve kept quiet about the controversy surrounding the depiction of the witches’ hands in the new film version of the Roald Dahl classic but I can’t anymore because it’s really got to me.”

Anne Hathaway in the new movie. Photo: @annehathaway on Instagram

In the original novel, the witches are depicted with long nails that they hide with gloves. In the 1990 version of the film they do not have any limb differences.

However, the 2020 film shows character, including Anne Hathaway’s The Grand High Witch, with three elongated fingers on each hand.

Briony May is among many with limb impairments to speak out against the film. Journalist Alex Brooker says that that the new film will “add to the stigma” around disability, while actor and TV presenter Grace Mandeville said “I thought we were moving forward in this industry, but once again a movie has used scars and a disability to create a scary character”.

“When I look at the pictures of Anne Hathaway with her witch hands, it brings tears to my eyes because I see MY hand in the photos,” says Briony.

“I see my genetic disorder that caused me to be born without any fingers on my left hand. I see something to be afraid of, something meant to make you feel sick and revolted.”

Great British Bake Off semi-finalist Briony May Williams at Square Food in Knowle West. Photo: Yuup

Briony adds: “This isn’t about being overly sensitive, a ‘snowflake’ or being too politically correct. This is about showcasing limb difference as ugly, scary, gross and evil. They didn’t need to do this, look at the book, the original film. How did they think this was acceptable?”

Disability is often used in media to portray a character as bad or evil. This trope can be seen as far back as the Grimms’ fairytales, in freak shows and in media today. For example, “baddies” will tend to have scarred bodies, missing limbs or another deformity or disability.

Briony says: “I’m very proud of my hand, it’s taken me decades to get there but I am. When I was on Bake Off, I had people tweet me saying I look like the guy on Freddy Got Fingered.

“I feel desperately sad for those people out there, especially children, with a limb difference who are ashamed of it or embarrassed because this will knock them harder than you know.”

Briony with fellow Bake Off contestants Manon Lagreve and Ruby Bhogal. Photo: Channel 4

Warner Bros responded to the backlash with a statement.

“We the filmmakers and Warner Bros. Pictures are deeply saddened to learn that our depiction of the fictional characters in THE WITCHES could upset people with disabilities, and regret any offense caused.

“In adapting the original story, we worked with designers and artists to come up with a new interpretation of the cat-like claws that are described in the book. It was never the intention for viewers to feel that the fantastical, non-human creatures were meant to represent them.

“This film is about the power of kindness and friendship. It is our hope that families and children can enjoy the film and embrace this empowering, love-filled theme.”

Main photo: Channel 4

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