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Saving Mr Banks

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02:43

Saving Mr Banks

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• Documentary
• Drama

• 2013
• John Lee Hancock
• 120 mins
• PG

Summary

Drama based on a true story, starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. Film-maker Walt Disney is set on making a movie about magical nanny Mary Poppins but her creator, author PL Travers, is reluctant to allow Hollywood anywhere near the novel and refuses to sell the rights. It's only when the formidable Travers flies out to Los Angeles that Disney realises there's more to the story than meets the eye - a story involving her beloved father and her childhood in rural Queensland in the early years of the 20th century.

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Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Alan Jones

How did Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) finally convince author PL Travers (Emma Thompson) that her Mary Poppins character was safe in his hands after 20 years of stubborn refusal? This hugely entertaining, informative and ultimately moving comedy drama reveals that the cantankerous Travers hated cartoons, musicals and Dick Van Dyke, and had no intention of signing over the rights... until she faced bankruptcy. But woe betide Disney if her magical nanny suffered any image damage. Her continual interference caused enormous problems with the creative team, but this cultural clash proves sharply witty and poignant under John Lee Hancock's spit spot direction. Evocative flashbacks to Travers's troubled Australian childhood expose her melancholy, vulnerability and motives for fiercely protecting her character, clearly inspired by her no-nonsense Aunt Ellie (Rachel Griffiths). It's a superlative confection of Hollywood dream and backstage legend, dominated by Thompson's stunningly eccentric performance, and lovers of the 1964 family classic will find it irresistible.

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7.5/10

How to watch

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Streaming

• Disney+
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenamePL Travers, PamelaEmma ThompsonWalt DisneyTom HanksTravers GoffColin Farrell (2)RalphPaul GiamattiDon DaGradiBradley WhitfordRichard M ShermanJason SchwartzmanRobert B ShermanB J NovakMargaret GoffRuth Wilson"Ginty" (young Pamela)Annie Rose BuckleyTommieKathy BakerAunt EllieRachel GriffithsDiarmuid RussellRonan Vibert

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Crew

rolenameDirectorJohn Lee Hancock

Details

Theatrical distributor

Walt Disney

Released on

2013-11-29

Languages

English

Available on

DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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