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Matilda

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Matilda

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• Family
• Fantasy

• 1996
• Danny DeVito
• 94 mins
• PG

Summary

Comic fantasy based on the book by Roald Dahl, starring Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito. Matilda, the daughter of Harry and Zinnia Wormwood, has adored reading from a precociously early age, but her parents refuse to let her go to school. Until, that is, her father sends her to the unforgiving Miss Trunchbull's Crunchem Hall, where she discovers that she has other more useful gifts.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

David Parkinson

Director Danny DeVito revels in the black comedy of this typically dark Roald Dahl story, in which monstrous adults consider children as inconvenient accessories as they devote themselves to their own pleasures. DeVito - who also stars as Matilda's boorish dad - cleverly emphasises the point by shooting much of the film from a child's-eye view, making people and buildings alike look forbidding and cold. Miracle on 34th Street's Mara Wilson is excellent in the lead, while Embeth Davidtz prevents beloved teacher Miss Honey from being too sickly sweet. Stealing the acting honours, however, is Pam Ferris, who brings vicious headmistress Miss Trunchbull to terrifying life. The result is classic entertainment for children.

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7.0/10

How to watch

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Streaming

• Prime Video
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameMatildaMara WilsonHarry WormwoodDanny DeVitoZinnia WormwoodRhea PerlmanMiss HoneyEmbeth DavidtzAgatha TrunchbullPam FerrisFBI agentPaul ReubensFBI agentTracey WalterMichaelBrian Levinson

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Crew

rolenameDirectorDanny DeVito

Details

Released on

1996-12-20

Languages

English | English

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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