Question about a version of Hansel and Gretel

[salemfan]

I saw a version of Hansel and Gretel in which the old woman invites Hansel and Gretel into her candy house and after asking them, "what would you like to eat first-some candy? some cake? Hmmm?" by the light of her lantern the old lady cast a frightening shadow on the wall, then the children scream and the old lady asks, "Is something wrong?" then the old lady turns into a witch, the candy turns into wood, the cake turns into a cage, and the candy house turns into a tree stump house. Do you think the old lady turned into a witch, the candy into wood, the cake into a cage, and the house into a tree stump house by accident or on purpose and why?

 

[MartyMuppets]

Well this is very different from the usual sort of story version but assuming the old lady really was the dreaded cannibal witch she's supposed to traditionally be, I would say Yes. She did all that mumbo-jumbo on purpose to trap Hansel and Gretel for her dinner.

 

[salemfan]

When, "By the light of her lantern the old lady cast a frightening shadow on the wall" do you think that this sends the wrong message about shadows? Aren't youngsters supposed to learn that shadows are harmless?

 

[MrsWembly]

Which version is this? I've never seen it. My favorite is the Fairie Tale Theatre version.

 

[salemfan]

The version of Hansel and Gretel this thread is about is right here on YouTube: