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Matilda (1996)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
2 August 1996 (USA)
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Tagline:
A little magic goes a long way. more
Plot:
Story of a wonderful little girl, who happens to be a genius, and her wonderful teacher vs. the worst parents ever and the worst school principal imaginable. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
3 wins
&
4 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Review: Did you ever see… Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
(From HeyUGuys. 11 November 2009, 4:01 PM, PST)
Discussion: 2009 Oscar Predictions
(From newsinfilm. 21 February 2009, 2:32 PM, PST)
(From HeyUGuys. 11 November 2009, 4:01 PM, PST)
Discussion: 2009 Oscar Predictions
(From newsinfilm. 21 February 2009, 2:32 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Utterly Fantastic
more (129 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Mara Wilson | ... | Matilda Wormwood | |
| Danny DeVito | ... | Harry Wormwood / Narrator | |
| Rhea Perlman | ... | Zinnia Wormwood | |
| Embeth Davidtz | ... | Miss Jennifer 'Jenny' Honey | |
| Pam Ferris | ... | Agatha Trunchbull | |
| Paul Reubens | ... | FBI Agent Bob | |
| Tracey Walter | ... | FBI Agent Bill | |
| Brian Levinson | ... | Michael 'Mikey' Wormwood | |
| Jean Speegle Howard | ... | Miss Phelps | |
| Sara Magdalin | ... | Matilda at 4 Years | |
| R.D. Robb | ... | Roy | |
| Gregory R. Goliath | ... | Luther (as Goliath Gregory) | |
| Fred Parnes | ... | Waiter | |
| Kiami Davael | ... | Lavender | |
| Leor Livneh Hackel | ... | Julius Rottwinkle |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Roald Dahl's Matilda
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MPAA:
Rated PG for elements of exaggerated meanness and ridicule, and for some mild language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
98 min | USA:102 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Certification:
Iceland:L |
South Korea:All |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:PG |
Belgium:KT |
Chile:TE |
Finland:K-8 |
Norway:11 |
Peru:PT |
Portugal:M/6 |
Spain:7 |
Sweden:11 |
UK:PG |
USA:PG |
Singapore:PG |
Germany:6 |
Italy:T |
Netherlands:MG6 |
Brazil:Livre
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The car Harry sells to the Trunchbull is a 1970 Buick Electra 225 sedan.
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Goofs:
Continuity: After cutting Harry's hat off, Zinna sits down to watch TV and puts her sunglasses on twice.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
Narrator: Everyone is born, but not everyone is born the same. Some will grow to be butchers, or bakers, or candlestick makers. Some will only be really good at making Jell-O salad. One way or another, though, every human being is unique, for better or for worse.
[Harry takes his first look at Matilda, grunts, and leaves]
Narrator: Most parents believe their children are the most beautiful creatures ever to grace the planet. Others take a less emotional approach:
Harry Wormwood: What a waste of time!
Zinnia Wormwood: And painful!
Harry Wormwood: And expensive... $9.25 for a bar of soap?
[...]
more
Narrator: Everyone is born, but not everyone is born the same. Some will grow to be butchers, or bakers, or candlestick makers. Some will only be really good at making Jell-O salad. One way or another, though, every human being is unique, for better or for worse.
[Harry takes his first look at Matilda, grunts, and leaves]
Narrator: Most parents believe their children are the most beautiful creatures ever to grace the planet. Others take a less emotional approach:
Harry Wormwood: What a waste of time!
Zinnia Wormwood: And painful!
Harry Wormwood: And expensive... $9.25 for a bar of soap?
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter Nick Kazan (2006) (V)
more
Soundtrack:
Little Bitty Pretty One
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (129 total)
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This movie is an absolutely wonderful fantasy. I totally loved it.
The dialog is brilliant. The humor is both bold, and subtle. The characters are archetypal.
Matilda perfectly captures what it is like to be an intelligent person, trapped in the body of a child, and surrounded by idiots who control far too much of your life.
The notion that bad people (even adults) deserve to be punished for their evil ways (even by children) is truly subversive. Any child who suffered through the countless typical abuses of unthinking, uncaring, and ignorant parents will truly love this movie. Those same unthinking, uncaring, and ignorant parents will probably hate this movie, unless they are wise enough to see the truth behind the fantasy.
Despite the difficulties Matilda faces, like all good fantasies this movie has a wonderfully happy ending. I wish the same for all.