Matilda

( 23 )

Overview

Based on the book Mathilda, by British children's author Roald Dahl, this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S.; otherwise it follows the original closely. Mathilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) is an extremely curious and intelligent young girl who is very different from her low-brow, mainstream parents (Danny DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman), who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older, she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first ...
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More About This Product

Overview

Based on the book Mathilda, by British children's author Roald Dahl, this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S.; otherwise it follows the original closely. Mathilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) is an extremely curious and intelligent young girl who is very different from her low-brow, mainstream parents (Danny DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman), who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older, she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time does she realize that she can use those powers to do something about her sufferings and help her friends as well. Villains from the awful Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), headmistress of her miserable school Crunchem Hall, to her parents and older brother begin to feel her ire. Look for Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) in a small part as an FBI agent investigating Mathilda's shady father.
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Special Features

Closed Caption; Mara's Movie About Making Matilda; Matilda's Movie Magic; A Children's Guide to Good Manners; Escape to the Library!; Matilda read-along; Classroom games - the Spelling Bee and the Math Game; A Truly Terrible Test!; Make Magic With Matilda!; Terrify the Trunchbull!; The Matilda character gallery; Get Rid of Mrs. Trunchbull! - trivia game; Bonus trailers; Animated menus
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Donald Liebenson
Erstwhile Taxi tyrant turned filmmaker Danny DeVito is a good choice to bring Roald Dahl's book to the screen. They seem to be kindred spirits, with similar sensibilities for dark comedy built around those moments in life when horrible and unexplainable things happen. Matilda, for instance, has the bad luck to be born to the neglectful Wormwoods -- DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman -- who discourage her love of books. Then, she is sent to a Dickensian school run by the monstrous Miss Trunchbill (Pam Ferris). But Matilda (the adorable Mara Wilson) turns tragedy to triumph with the help of the compassionate teacher Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) and her own special telekinetic gifts. Matilda is rated PG for "exaggerated meanness and ridicule." This includes harrowing scenes of the verbally abusive Trunchbull shot-putting children out the window. But this just makes Matilda's Carrie-esque revenge all the sweeter. What makes the DVD {|Special Edition|} such a delight are the kid-friendly bonus features: among them, Wilson's own video diary of life on a movie set, an amusing "Guide to Good Manners" comprising scenes from the film, and a welcome segment extolling the virtues of the public library. Behind-the-scenes segments reveal the secrets of stunts and special effects, but as DeVito advises, watch the movie first. Lemony Snickett has nothing on Dahl when it comes to plucky children triumphing over unfortunate events. Devotees of the Dahl canon will appreciate DeVito's fidelity to the author's macabre vision.
Barnes & Noble - Donald Liebenson
Erstwhile Taxi tyrant turned filmmaker Danny DeVito is a good choice to bring Roald Dahl's book to the screen. They seem to be kindred spirits, with similar sensibilities for dark comedy built around those moments in life when horrible and unexplainable things happen. Matilda, for instance, has the bad luck to be born to the neglectful Wormwoods -- DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman -- who discourage her love of books. Then, she is sent to a Dickensian school run by the monstrous Miss Trunchbill Pam Ferris. But Matilda the adorable Mara Wilson turns tragedy to triumph with the help of the compassionate teacher Miss Honey Embeth Davidtz and her own special telekinetic gifts. Matilda is rated PG for "exaggerated meanness and ridicule." This includes harrowing scenes of the verbally abusive Trunchbull shot-putting children out the window. But this just makes Matilda's Carrie-esque revenge all the sweeter. What makes the DVD Special Edition such a delight are the kid-friendly bonus features: among them, Wilson's own video diary of life on a movie set, an amusing "Guide to Good Manners" comprising scenes from the film, and a welcome segment extolling the virtues of the public library. Behind-the-scenes segments reveal the secrets of stunts and special effects, but as DeVito advises, watch the movie first. Lemony Snickett has nothing on Dahl when it comes to plucky children triumphing over unfortunate events. Devotees of the Dahl canon will appreciate DeVito's fidelity to the author's macabre vision.
All Movie Guide - Michael Costello
The mordant vision of author Roald Dahl's world probably appealed to the director of War of the Roses and Hoffa, for it permeates this witty, eccentric, dark-toned children's film for adults. Matilda (Mara Wilson), an unusually bright six-year-old whose reading fare runs to Moby Dick and For Whom the Bell Tolls, is saddled with a pair of comically selfish and obtuse parents (Danny De Vito and Rhea Perlman) whom she has to persuade to allow her to go to school. But her teacher, the child-hating Miss Trunchbull Pam Ferris, proves no more enlightened than her parents. This hilariously exaggerated, Lewis Carroll-like version of the world is probably not too far from what many children may feel on a bad day. De Vito and Perlman camp it up outrageously and Ferris gives a terrific performance as a cartoonish villain. Cinematographer Stefan Czapsky shoots from a number of strange angles, making this perhaps the first expressionist film for children.

The mordant vision of author Roald Dahl's world probably appealed to the director of War of the Roses and Hoffa, for it permeates this witty, eccentric, dark-toned children's film for adults. Matilda (Mara Wilson), an unusually bright six-year-old whose reading fare runs to Moby Dick and For Whom the Bell Tolls, is saddled with a pair of comically selfish and obtuse parents (Danny De Vito and Rhea Perlman) whom she has to persuade to allow her to go to school. But her teacher, the child-hating Miss Trunchbull Pam Ferris, proves no more enlightened than her parents. This hilariously exaggerated, Lewis Carroll-like version of the world is probably not too far from what many children may feel on a bad day. De Vito and Perlman camp it up outrageously and Ferris gives a terrific performance as a cartoonish villain. Cinematographer Stefan Czapsky shoots from a number of strange angles, making this perhaps the first expressionist film for children.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 6/7/2005
  • UPC: 043396013537
  • Original Release: 1996

    • Rating:

  • Source: Sony Pictures
  • Region Code: 1
  • Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
  • Presentation: Pan & Scan
  • Sound: Dolby Digital Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • Language: English, Français, Español
  • Time: 1:38:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 3,598

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Mara Wilson Matilda Wormwood
Danny DeVito Mr. Wormwood
Rhea Perlman Mrs. Wormwood
Embeth Davidtz Miss Honey
Pam Ferris Agatha Trunchbull
Paul Reubens Bob, FBI Agent
Kiami Davael Lavender
Kira Spencer Hesser Hortensia
Jean Speegle Howard Miss Phelps
Brian Levinson Michael
Jon Lovitz Million $ Sticky Host
Tracey Walter Bill, FBI Agent
Technical Credits
Danny DeVito Director, Producer
Sharon Alshams Set Decoration/Design
Martin Bregman Executive Producer
Bill Brzeski Production Designer
Stefan Czapsky Cinematographer
Liccy Dahl Producer
Cara Giallanza Asst. Director
Nicholas Kazan Screenwriter
David Kelson Sound Mixer
Lynzee Klingman Editor
Joshua Levinson Associate Producer
Philip Too Lin Art Director
Barbara Mesney Set Decoration/Design
Andrew Neskormomny Set Decoration/Design
David Newman Score Composer, Songwriter
Michael Peyser Executive Producer
Renee Rousselot Casting
David Rubin Casting
Jane Ruhm Costumes/Costume Designer
Michael Shamberg Producer
Stacey Sher Producer
Michael Siegel Producer
Robin Swicord Screenwriter
Chris Watts Special Effects Supervisor
Brent White Editor
Roald Dahl Source Author
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Scene Index

Side #1 --
1. Start
2. A Rather Extraordinary Child
3. "Send Me on My Way"
4. In Search of a Book
5. Her First Practical Advice
6. Hair Tonic
7. Wormwood Motors
8. Cafe Le Ritz
9. The Million Dollar Sticky
10. Crunchem Hall
11. Amanda Thripp
12. Miss Honey
13. Miss Honey Pays a Visit
14. Bruce Bogtrotter
15. The Newt
16. Miss Honey's Story
17. Afraid of Black Cats
18. "Let's Go Get Your Doll."
19. The Chase
20. "Little Bitty Pretty One"
21. Lissy Doll
22. Terrifying Miss Trunchbull
23. No More Miss Nice Girl
24. "A Child Was in My House!"
25. Haunted Chalkboard
26. Trunchbull Goes for a Spin
27. Pelting the Trunchbull
28. Adopting Matilda
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Menu

Side #1 --
   Play Movie
   Audio Set Up
      English
      French/Français
      Spanish/Español
   Subtitles
      English
      French/Français
      Spanish/Español
      Subtitles Off
   Scene Selections
   Special Features
      Matilda the Movie Read-Along
         Please Read to Me
         I Can Read
      Featurettes
         Matilda's Movie Magic
            Use the Magic Ribbon
            Play Matilda's Movie Magic
         A Children's Guide to Good Manners
         Escape to the Library
         My Movie About Making Matilda by Mara Wilson
      Games
         A Truly Terrible Test!
            Mildly Annoying
            Somewhat Dreadful
            Deviously Nasty
         Classroom Games
            Spelling Bee
            Math Magic
         Get Rid of Miss Trunchbull! Trivia Game
         Make Magic With Matilda!
         Terrify the Trunchbull!
      Matilda the Movie Character Gallery
         Matilda Wormwood
         Miss Honey
         Miss Trunchbull
         Harry Wormwood
         Zinnia Wormwood
      Trailers
         Stuart Little 3
         Zathura
         Jumanji Deluxe Edition
         Daddy Day Care
   Trailers
      Stuart Little 3
      Zathura
      Jumanji Deluxe Edition
      Daddy Day Care
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 23 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(18)

4 Star

(4)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 23 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I give this film high marks, but don't buy this DVD.

    "Matilda" is a great movie that has much to say about how valuable each individual is, how the weak can triumph against the odds, and just how great it is to be alive.

    But don't buy this DVD, because for some odd reason it is only available in a Pan & Scan format. The original film was widescreen, 2.35:1 and is beautiful to look at. On this DVD, you lose 40% of the visuals, lopped right off the sides of the screen. You can't see all the characters the director intended, and the entire mood of the scene is often changed as a result.

    Labeling this DVD a "special edition" is such a shame, because we're losing so much. We need to lobby for an "extra special edition in the film's original widescreen format so we can see what we're missing.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Matilda - a family favorite

    I love this movie and definitely recommend it. I watched with this with my family along with Magic in the Water. Its the story of a bright girl and her weird family. Don't get me started on (shivers) the intimidating Ms. Trunchbull (i hope i spelled her name right, again I haven't this one in a while either). Matilda discovers that she has powers and befriends her teacher the pretty Ms. Honey. A scene that I couldn't believe and was speechless was the assembly and of course the chocolate cake incident oh and especially the way the principal pulled at the girl's braids and swung her in the air. I couldn't believe the girl didn't like scream after her hair was being pulled like that. I must say that the ending was sweet and I'm an avid reader myself. That room with the spikes behind the door was just creepy. Still a favorite among my collection of movies.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 6, 2012

    Modern Fairy Tale.

    Modern Fairy Tale.


    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 15, 2012

    Best kids movie ever!!!!!!

    Matilda is a awesome movie about a girl with special power. This was and always will be my favorite kids movie. You have to watch this. Its amazing. Also read the book. Love this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 16, 2011

    A Great family film - A must See!!!

    This movie is perfect for kids, along with the family
    kids will love this movie. I promise you they will enjoy every minute of this movie

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Matilda

    A childhood favorite many remember

    This is a story about a bright little girl name Matilda and her dysfunctional family. We then meet the infamous but memorable Miss Trunchbull, the Principal of the school. Soon Matilda begins to learn she has powers. Love the ending. After seeing the movie again, it brings back nostalgic memories. To this day it's still a great film. You got to admit some of the scenes were not only weird but a little out there. But we love the movie anyway. Definitely see this and give the book a read.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Matilda is the best

    I've watched this movie more times than i can count! I wish I had the magic that Matilda does!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 1, 2004

    awesome

    i think the movie was great just like the book and i also think it was partially funny with all the tricks matilda did on her parents and mrs trunchbull.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 10, 2004

    My two year old wants this movie!

    I just watched this movie on a cable with commericals. My energenic son sat down and watched the whole thing with commercials. He was so mad when the commericals came on! I had to explain to him what commercials were. Since then he has been asking me to put it on, so now I am on line and have to order him the movie!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 9, 2003

    Great!!!

    I have never seen the movie. But, i'm reading the book and its good!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 3, 2003

    Matilda Rocks

    This is an exciting, suspensful movie full of wisdom, fun, and correct points. It's a movie both children, and adults can enjoy.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    WATCH THIS MAGIC

    I LIKED THIS MOVIE A LOT BECAUSE OF ALL THE MAGIC THAT MATILDA DID TO THE PRINCIPAL THAT ABUSED THE KIDS. THE BEST PART I LIKED IS THE PART IN THE CLASSROOM WHEN THE PRINCIPAL GOT MAD AT MATILDA FOR COMING TO HER HOUSE THAT NIGHT.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    YES, my life is happy once again!

    I had a bad weekend in January, and was starting to feel depressed, especially when it was snowing. Then TBS aired Matilda one evening, I watched it, and I felt good again. I hadn't seen the movie in 2 years, but I loved when I first saw it. Mara Wilson is a good role-model for kids growing up (I hope her next movie is great, because I haven't seen her in anything new lately), Danny DeVito is hilarious (in fact, he was hysterical in everything he ever appeared in) and the special effects for Matilda's powers are cool. Wouldn't we all want powers like hers?

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 28, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 24, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 12, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 13, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 17, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 8, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 20, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 23 Customer Reviews