Melissa Joan Hart

Sherry Miller

Charlene Fernetz

Michelle Beaudoin

Ryan Reynolds

Tobias Mehler

Lalainia Lindbjerg

Laura Harris

Kea Wong

Jo Bates

Janine Cox

Biski Gugushe

Tyler Labine

Jim Swansburg

Noel Geer

Volton

Cory Chetyrbok

Kevin Corey

Nick Bakay

John Kavelin

Tibor Takács

Kathryn Wallack

Barney Cohen

Nicholas Factor

Alana H. Lambros

Paula Hart

Bernard Salzmann

Daria Ellerman

Greg De Belles

Brian Irving

Richard Davis

TV Movie

Fantasy

Family

Comedy

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Showtime Networks

United States of America

***Sabrina goes to a new high school where she learns she’s a witch***

Released to TV in spring 1996, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” was the pilot movie for the series that ran for seven years from 1996-2003. The plot revolves around Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) having to move from Massachusetts to live with her two eccentric aunts in Rockland County, New York, where she starts attending Riverdale High, becomes besties with Marnie (Michelle Beaudoin) and contends with requisite mean girl, Katy Lemore (Lalainia Lindbjerg). After her 16th birthday, Sabrina learns she’s a witch and grapples with the morality of having powers other mortals don’t.

The tone of the production is decidedly pedestrian in a mid-90’s TV manner, but the cast brightens things up with their energy and a decent script. (It was amusing to learn why Salem can talk and other cats can’t). I’ve probably watched a dozen episodes of the subsequent series and the main draw was always Melissa’s winsomeness. She was 19 years-old when this pilot was shot and just got more beautiful over the course of the series. For those interested, Ryan Reynolds has a significant role; he was 18-19 during filming.

The movie runs 1 hour, 31 minutes and was shot in British Columbia with some establishing shots done in Brookline, Massachusetts (or so IMDb says).

GRADE: B-

English

Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1996) Official Trailer