Tami Stronach of The NeverEnding Story returns to the big screen in another epic fantasy, Man & Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps. The film, a love letter to high fantasy films of the 80s, draws inspiration from adventures like Willow and The Princess Bride. Man & Witch is a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation. It embraces a ‘bedtime story’ ethos, taking our hero on a noble quest to find love and vanquish the ogre armies. Director Michael Hines and writer/actor Greg Steinbruner have a cast of many familiar faces as they bring their medieval world to life.
Our journey begins as the “Wonderful Kingdom” is in turmoil, plagued by ogres and a decree that the princess cannot marry until the ogres are defeated. A lonely Goatherder (Greg Steinbruner) called “Goatherd” lives with his mother, longing for true love. Goatherd soon discovers he was cursed at birth by an evil wizard (Michael Emerson) and that he shall never find love. Distraught by his curse, Goatherd, followed by his band of talking animals (Eddie Izzard, Billy Bailey, and Sean Astin, who also serves as narrator), seeks out a powerful witch (Tami Stronach) to remove his curse. Charging him with three tasks, the Witch commands that Goatherd must complete each challenge if he is to find love and save the kingdom.
“…three tasks, the Witch commands that Goatherd must complete each challenge…”
Casting in Man & Witch gives the story a lot of heart. Sean Astin effortlessly steps into the narrator role, steering the story into the charming fairy tale motif Steinbruner is going for. Eddie Izzard gives many Hollywood references as a talking sheep, and Bill Bailey is delightful as a talking donkey. Supporting characters are strong throughout Man & Witch. Christopher Lloyd brings all his eccentricities to the brilliant alchemist, and while Michael Emerson is seldom in the film, Lost fans will love seeing him as always. As a protagonist, Goatherd hits all the right tropes for a hero’s journey but never pops off the screen like the eclectic supporting characters and cast. Yet the biggest highlight is Tami Stronach as the Witch. Stronach’s return to film and fantasy is a revelation as she creates a sense of wonder for the role and the story itself. She makes the world feel lived in and adds even more nostalgia for fans of her work in The NeverEnding Story.
Hines and Steinbruner keep Man & Witch well within the tropes of a PG 80s fantasy film. It has ogres, a dark wizard, a seemingly impossible quest, a princess, and true love; it would undoubtedly have a dragon if the budget allowed. The tropes are well-used, making the film like a lost VHS film from childhood and a little in the same vein as Stephen King’s novel “Eyes of the Dragon.” Man & Witch is cheesy but always charming, showcasing the glories and flaws of the epic fantasy genre as Goatherd seeks his future beloved.
Man & Witch has some issues in the climax, needing the “epicness” in the finale worthy of its star-studded cast. Character naming needs some work as none of the characters have actual names; instead, the goat herding protagonist is called “Goatherd,” the evil wizard is called “evil wizard,” the princess is called “the princess,” etc. Steinbruner’s story may not hit the mark with kids, but Man & Witch will find an audience with those who are kids at heart, and for this film, that might be more important. Sean Astin’s clear love of the genre makes the movie even more of an homage, and Stronach’s return will make audiences eager to see her in more films. While the story is rooted in tropes, the excellent cast takes the material to new heights, making Man & Witch a tale worthy of the indie-nostalgia fanbase Hines and Steinbruner have in mind.
"…Tami Stronach of The NeverEnding Story returns to the big screen..."
