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The Portable Door

  • 2023
  • 13+
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Sam Neill, Christoph Waltz, Sophie Wilde, Patrick Gibson, and Jessica De Gouw in The Portable Door (2023)
Paul Carpenter is an intern at a mysterious London firm with unconventional employers, including a CEO who wants to disrupt the ancient magical world with modern corporate practices.
Play trailer1:32
2 Videos
15 Photos
Fantasy EpicAdventureComedyFantasyMystery

Two lowly interns at J.W. Wells and Co., a mysterious firm based in London, uncover a plot by their CEO to disrupt the ancient magical world with modern corporate practices.Two lowly interns at J.W. Wells and Co., a mysterious firm based in London, uncover a plot by their CEO to disrupt the ancient magical world with modern corporate practices.Two lowly interns at J.W. Wells and Co., a mysterious firm based in London, uncover a plot by their CEO to disrupt the ancient magical world with modern corporate practices.

  • Director
    • Jeffrey Walker
  • Writers
    • Tom Holt
    • Leon Ford
  • Stars
    • Christoph Waltz
    • Patrick Gibson
    • Damon Herriman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jeffrey Walker
    • Writers
      • Tom Holt
      • Leon Ford
    • Stars
      • Christoph Waltz
      • Patrick Gibson
      • Damon Herriman
    • 79User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 5 nominations total

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:32
    Official Trailer
    The Portable Door - Trailer
    Trailer 2:01
    The Portable Door - Trailer
    The Portable Door - Trailer
    Trailer 2:01
    The Portable Door - Trailer

    Photos15

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    Top cast83

    Edit
    Christoph Waltz
    Christoph Waltz
    • Humphrey Wells…
    Patrick Gibson
    Patrick Gibson
    • Paul Carpenter
    Damon Herriman
    Damon Herriman
    • Monty
    Sophie Wilde
    Sophie Wilde
    • Sophie Pettingel
    Sam Neill
    Sam Neill
    • Dennis Tanner
    Demi Harman
    Demi Harman
    • Job Applicant
    Rachel House
    Rachel House
    • Professor Van Spee
    Miranda Otto
    Miranda Otto
    • Countess Judy
    Chris Pang
    Chris Pang
    • Casimir Suslowicz
    Arka Das
    Arka Das
    • Neville
    Jessica De Gouw
    Jessica De Gouw
    • Rosie
    Chris Story
    • Mr. Roden
    Lin Yin
    Lin Yin
    • Delia Bryson
    Jason Wilder
    Jason Wilder
    • Leon (Man at Fountain)
    Paul Adams
    Paul Adams
    • Print Room Worker
    Finn Treacy
    Finn Treacy
    • Humphrey (12 yrs old)
    Connor Treacy
    • Humphrey (20 yrs old)
    Karen Peart
    • Dry Cleaner
    • (as Karen Marie Peart)
    • Director
      • Jeffrey Walker
    • Writers
      • Tom Holt
      • Leon Ford
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews79

    6.111.3K
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    Featured reviews

    5Boristhemoggy

    It's not bad, but it's not great

    I love a good sci fi and fantasy film, so I decided to give this a try. I'm glad I did, because it wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything like I expected.

    The British tend to like their buffoonery, and there was simply too much of it in the beginning. Sam Neill could never be described as cute but that's what they were trying to make him be.

    The story was also difficult to follow. The Humphries had me completely baffled until very close to the end.

    Considering Jim Henson was involved with this I thought the goblins were very poorly done. Also some of the sets were great but some of the characters not very well defined at all.

    Overall I didn't hate it and I watched it from start to finish in one go. But it was very slow to start and just wasn't polished enough to understand, so by the end I only just realised what I had watched.
    6ma-cortes

    A pleasant movie full of fantasy, emotion and friendly characters.

    Paul Carpenter is desperately looking for a job. After a most unusual interview he ends up hired in a company, but he neither knows what they do nor does he even know his duties. Then, two lowly newcomers , Paul (Patrick Gibson) and Sophie (Sophie Wilde), at J. W. Wells and Co., a mysterious firm based in London, uncover a plot by their CEO to disrupt the ancient magical world with modern corporate practices. Nasty villains Humphrey Wells (Christoph Waltz) , the CEO of the company, and middle manager Dennis Tanner (Sam Neill) are disrupting the world of magic by bringing modern corporate strategy to ancient magical practices

    There are some similarities to 'Harry Potter' and ¨Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them¨sagas in this solid fantasy with adventures, magic and imagination. ¨The Portable Door¨ is the first book in Tom Holt's J. W. Wells & Co. Series, made up of eight books: The Portable Door (2003), In Your Dreams (2004), Earth, Air, Fire and Custard (2005), You Don't Have to Be Evil to Work Here, But it Helps (2006), The Better Mousetrap (2008), May Contain Traces of Magic (2009), Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Sausages (2011), The Eight Reindeer of the Apocalypse (2023). Following a fascinating first 30 minutes the movie loses impetus as the writer struggles to spin it out towards two-hour length. Patrick Gibson and Sophie Wilde star in this magical film playing two interns become increasingly aware that their mysterious employers are anything but conventional, discovering the true agenda of the vast corporation; alongside the winner of two Oscars for best supporting actor Christoph Waltz (Django unchained) and Sam Neil (Jurassic Park) performing two charismatic villain chiefs. This likeable quartet of protagonists are well accompanied by a wonderful supporting cast, such as: Damon Herriman , Demi Harman, Rachel House, Miranda Otto, Chris Pang, Arka Das, and Jessica De Gouw.

    It displays a thrilling and enjoyable musical score by Benjamin Speed. Likewise , a brilliant and colorful cinematography by Donald McAlpine. Along with stunning state-of-art special effects and creatures from Story Bridge Films and The Jim Henson Company. The motion picture was professionally directed by Jeffrey Walker though borrows heavily from other known stories. Craftsman Jeffrey Walker at his debut feature film, but he has directed a number of episodes of popular TV series, such as: The Artful Dodger, Bones, The Clearing , Blue heeler, H2o, Lambs of God, LA to Vegas, The Clearing, Home and away, Dance academy, The Elephant Princess, The young rock, Wild Boys , Angry Boys, among others. Rating: 6.5/10. Well worth watching.
    7webjunk-62635

    Most enjoyable

    Why do people who have read the book ever bother to view a film they know from the outset they will hate because - insert whiny voice- "it's not like the book". Why not save yourself the agony.

    As a counterpoint I have read the book, and thought this adaptation was most enjoyable. You can't really describe anything without spoilers. Ut it bowls along with a great sense of humour -mfor some of which paying attention is rewarded.

    If you haven't read the books give them a go as there are seven in the series and explore the idea in greater details. This will be good should get round to making a sequel.
    7VorpalJay

    Unpredictable romp

    What fun. An enchanting film. An adult fairy tale and boy meets girl rolled up into one.

    Paul's very bad day leads to an unlikely job opening at the prestigious, mysterious company, J Wells. He quickly becomes a favorite of the boss, but no one else on the hiring committee has anything good to say about him. As he proves his metal to both his new coworker and the company at large, we are taking on a fantastic journey. Imaginative sets help create magical scenes.

    Christopher Walt makes a great bad guy. The cast includes Sam Neill, who always delivers. I'm sure the primary actors are up and comers, but I'm just not familiar with them from earlier movies.

    Enjoy!
    7deloudelouvain

    A bit weird, good weird.

    I read a lot of reviewers comparing this movie with Harry Potter but I don't agree. The story is totally different, much weirder which was a good thing I thought. The only thing they have in common is that it is all fantasy and in this genre The Portable Door is an entertaining movie. It takes a while to understand what's going on but it's never annoying. Christopher Waltz always delivers, never disappoints. Sam Neil was also good in playing his strange character. The whole cast did a decent job making this movie interesting to follow. I can see some sequels in the future if it catches on. I'm up for it.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Portable Door, the first book in Tom Holt's J.W. Wells & Co. series. Publication Order of J. W. Wells & Co. Books all eight books: The Portable Door (2003), In Your Dreams (2004), Earth, Air, Fire and Custard (2005), You Don't Have to Be Evil to Work Here, But it Helps (2006), The Better Mousetrap (2008), May Contain Traces of Magic (2009), Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Sausages (2011), The Eight Reindeer of the Apocalypse (2023).
    • Goofs
      The Union flag (the British flag) to the right on the J W Wells building is being flown upside down.
    • Quotes

      Dennis Tanner: Did I give you permission to be down here? Let me think! No. I did not!

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits contain a fake user agreement which scrolls past really quickly. On further study the "contract" contains unusual contractual terms and funny tidbits that foreshadow the movie plot: The movie has an overarching theme about agreeing blindly to terms of service, after all.
    • Soundtracks
      Just for You
      Written by Paul Shirley

      Performed by The Paul Shirley Show Band

      Courtesy of Midnight Choir Pty Ltd

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 7, 2023 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Sitio Oficial Latinoamérica
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La puerta secreta
    • Filming locations
      • Pinnacle Studios, Helensvale, Queensland, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Stan
      • Sky
      • MEP Capital
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $801,082
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39:1

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    Sam Neill, Christoph Waltz, Sophie Wilde, Patrick Gibson, and Jessica De Gouw in The Portable Door (2023)
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