Oscars 2021: Explore the nominees, videos, photos, and more.
Author P.L. Travers reflects on her childhood after reluctantly meeting with Walt Disney, who seeks to adapt her Mary Poppins books for the big screen.

Director:

John Lee Hancock
Reviews
Popularity
3,637 ( 113)
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 73 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

Photos

Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emma Thompson ... P.L. Travers
Tom Hanks ... Walt Disney
Annie Rose Buckley ... Ginty
Colin Farrell ... Travers Goff
Ruth Wilson ... Margaret Goff
Paul Giamatti ... Ralph
Bradley Whitford ... Don DaGradi
B.J. Novak ... Robert Sherman
Jason Schwartzman ... Richard Sherman
Lily Bigham Lily Bigham ... Biddy
Kathy Baker ... Tommie
Melanie Paxson ... Dolly
Andy McPhee ... Mr. Belhatchett
Rachel Griffiths ... Aunt Ellie
Ronan Vibert ... Diarmuid Russell
Edit

Storyline

When Walter Elias Disney's (Tom Hanks') daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers' (Dame Emma Thompson's) "Mary Poppins", he made them a promise - one that he didn't realize would take twenty years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles, California to hear Disney's plans for the adaptation. For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all of the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Richard M. Sherman (Jason Schwartzman) and Robert B. Sherman (B.J. Novak), Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn't budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights ... Written by Walt Disney Pictures

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

To bring Mary Poppins to life, he needs to work his magic. See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including some unsettling images | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dame Emma Thompson adapted and played a Mary Poppins-like character in Nanny McPhee (2005) and Nanny McPhee Returns (2010). See more »

Goofs

In the finest tradition of movie billboards and DVD covers everywhere, the new poster for Mary Poppins credits "Julie Andrews" above the face of Dick Van Dyke, and "Dick Van Dyke" above the face of Julie Andrews. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Travers Goff: [voiceover] Winds in the east / Mist coming in / Like something is brewing / About to begin / Can't put me finger / On what lies in store / But I feel what's to happen / All happened before.
See more »

Crazy Credits

There is a post credits dedication of the movie to Diane Disney, Walt Disney's oldest daughter, who passed away in November 2013. See more »


Soundtracks

Jolly Holiday
Written by Richard M. Sherman (as Richard Sherman), Robert B. Sherman (as Robert Sherman)
Performed by Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews
Courtesy of Walt Disney Records
See more »

User Reviews

 
Delightful
25 December 2013 | by asoapboxoperaSee all my reviews

"Saving Mr. Banks" is an exquisite film. It draws you in with the delightful reality of Disney as well as the triumphantly stark reality (inasmuch as it is reality; I do lack her background) of Mrs. Travers. I purposely leave out parts of the film for the sake of the movie-goer, but let me say how delightful the songs are, the people are, the displays of emotion-- my part as well, as I nearly cried and fully laughed at certain points throughout. The film speaks to me and it feels complete in its currency-- tuppence, if you will-- in taking Mrs. Travers' story and embellishing it with the truth of the creators' (both Travers and Disney, for the part he has in the creation of the film) lives. The lives of the characters-- and I do mean most people seen on screen, in particular the driver and Mrs. Travers' mother-- are well-told and well-lived, and spark a certain comfort and warmth, even in the cold of their realities and harsher backstories. I believe the film has done its job beautifully, and I wouldn't change it for the world. Even the animated penguins, although for me there is still my deep and abiding love for their real counterparts.


47 of 66 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
Review this title | See all 364 user reviews »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA | UK | Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 December 2013 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Saving Mr. Banks See more »

Edit

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$413,373, 15 December 2013

Gross USA:

$83,301,580

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$117,867,984
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See full technical specs »

Contribute to This Page



Recently Viewed