Saving Mr Banks

The Disney Studios are currently on a milking spree of their biggests hits and adaptations on their own history. To the latter category belongs Saving Mr. Banks. As far as I'm concerned this was an original and well scripted choice, but I fear for a project like Maleficent, due next summer. What will be next? A dramatisation of the studio's 1989 renaissance with The Little Mermaid? Tommy Lee Jones as the Big Bad Wolf? If you are a down and out Disney fan you have presumably been aware of the hassle that preceeded bringing Mary Poppins to the screen, but unless you studied the material you are unlikely to know Disney tried to obtain the film rights of P. L. Travers's books for twenty years, how she travelled to Hollywood (here the films begins), sat in during sessions, being a pain to poor Don DaGradi (screenwriter) and the Sherman Bros (composers). The deadlock between Disney and Travers is captivating and funny. Moreover, it gives Saving Mr. Banks its subject: Her being in desperate need of the money and him, overzealous, having green-lighted the film already before she had sold the screen rights. Curiously enough, despite Travers (played by Emma Thompson) being overly fussy and a downright nuisance most of the time, you sympathise with her cause. Perhaps surprisingly so did her mighty 'opponent' Walt Disney (Tom Hanks), as he imparts to an employee: `I fought this battle from her side too' - referring to attempts to buy Mickey Mouse from him. Disney, of course aware of Travers's near destitution, is gentlemanly enough to not really stress it. Obvious is that the end result of Mary Poppins as film ended up being everything but `empty pap,' as Travers feared. Yes, there are songs, yes there are pinguins - but without the ongoing efforts of her creator Mary Poppins could have ended up superficial - or so at least this film has it. However judge for yourself: In the multiple Oscar-winner Mary Poppins's magic remains wonderfully restraint, happens around her rather than served up happily, which might have occured had Travers not challenged and forced DaGradi to draw from the corners of his creativity. In Saving Mr. Banks we are treated to flashbacks of Travers's preteen years in Australia's outback: A mother she never warmed to, and a father (Colin Farrell), for whom she felt quite the opposite. Gradually she becomes aware of the darker side of her beloved Travers Goff, an alcoholic, who in his dying days doesn't shrink from using the girl to get the booze. Aunt Ellie arrives to set things right - and somewhere along the transition from Helen Goff to P. L. Travers we are made to understand that the earlier rejected stern aunt ("You promised you'd make everything right") becomes sublimated in Mary Poppins, although that happens off screen. The role of father Mr. Banks/Travers Goff then turns out to be pivotal - with such a title we could wait for it. His overlong, dramatic nightly walk to the bank in the Mary Poppins film is now explained. The pleasant amount of dialogue between Disney and Travers accommodates Hanks and Thompson's acting - which is brilliant. Nevertheless, Hanks's portrayal leaves that of Thompson behind. Much of his `lines' are conveyed through his facial expressions, which in itself are those of a boss used to not giving away anything by them - and Hanks is a master at getting them right. His initial approach to procure the rights, `having made a promise to his children he simply has to keep,' ricochets off Travers's armour. This is something Disney, aside from being used to get what he wants doesn't comprehend, presuming using a promise to a child to be a trump card (the reason why Travers is immune is for this motivation becomes clear, but a comment addressing it ended up in the deleted scenes). After this, the stage is set. The supporting cast is strongest where there are no flashbacks concerned: Paul Giamatti as chauffeur Ralph should be mentioned first, but then Whitley Bradford, B. J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman as the hapless trio of DaGradi and the Sherman Bros all deserve applause, as does Melanie Paxson as Dolly. Sound and picture quality of the Blu-ray are very good, and the extras include some deleted scenes and a small making-of, involving the one surviving Sherman Brother Richard. For the sentimentalists among us (that's me as well) `Let's Go Fly a Kite' is included with said Sherman taking place behind the piano in the exact spot the song was composed 50 years ago. The whole cast and crew are present, as opposed to a single dry eye. Praiseworthy. Saving Mr. Banks's finale is devoted to its 1964 premiere, concluding the story of a story - how the film about the flying nanny was made. I couldn't help but thinking of what poor Mrs Travers would have thought of the musical, happily many years away from the film.

My favourite go to film! It makes me laugh and cry. The acting is superb

Whilst this is a "Disneyfication" of the "alleged" events, "based" on a real scenario ..it remains a DISNEY story under DISNEY's control. It is an absolute tear jerker emotively, the author PL Travers father did die when she was young, it is likely that she stifled her emotions as a result. The rest!? well you'd have to study Travers history beyond a wikipedia page to come to your own conclusion, no doubt though she was very protective of HER creation & the series of Mary Poppins books, of which the Disney story broaches one, maybe two!? That is not to say it is a bad film (I myself am very anti disney as I find much of it potentially damaging to a child in the real world, thats not to say they shouldn't dream, ..far from it, however "disneyfication" runs rampant, ..even through this, to their credit at the end of the film as the titles roll it cuts back to the rehearsal room we are now familiar with (the jelly beans & reel to reel recorder) & we hear the archival audio of P.L. Travers trying to hold court & protect her vision (as author) of her creation that had enthralled the children & adults who read the original stories long before it was "disney'ed" ..& perhaps partially explains why Travers was so reluctant. Don't think of "walt" as the benevolent hero here, he was not, & if you want to see another film of corporate entities taking "contrl" of others creations ..check out the story of "Ray croc" (Mc Donalds) ..& tell me if Mc D's mde films theirs would not display the cut throat despotism of the "anything for the deal" boss, ..Walt Disney was used to getting his way too. Regardless of the real % of fact vs fiction it makes for an excellent film that had us in tears for different reasons. Both Tom Hanks & Emma Thompson made for a riveting film, one we will watch again, but not *too* soon as it left us a little frayed (in a positive way) it brought my own childhood & why in our family "we do what we do" to the fore. P.L Travers ( an apparently single lady) was correct to attempt to dictate her "family" portrayed on the big screen, as it clearly went beyond the character of Mary Poppins, watch & you will see.

I bought this for my (elderly) Mum for her birthday as I thought she would really love the subject matter (having loved Mary Poppins although I can't remember the film very well and maybe need to see it again) and as it stars Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. The story is fantastic - this cankerous, interfering (slightly stupid) woman who is unable to see the merits of the efforts of those who trying to make a film of her book. This brings her right into contact with Walt Disney, played by Tom Hanks as a kindly man with a very warm heart. She also meets the composers who struggle to impress her with their wonderful tunes and ideas. It is hard not to want to shake the woman for her rudeness and her lack of any understanding - and her extreme coldness. But her relationship with her driver and her flashbacks to her childhood (her father played by the delicious Colin Farrell) show a tender side to the character which redeemed her somewhat although really I still wanted to slap her for most of the time. It's slow and seems to need 'something' else - a little more Tom Hanks? More of the 'warmed up' Emma Thompson (so superb when she 'gets' the song about kite flying, 'Let's Go Fly A Kite')? Or a greater hold on the scene where she finally gets to see the finished film ...?/ Her scenes with Disney/Tom Hanks are sheer joy (especially when he takes her to Disney Land at the scene where he finally persuades her to sign the contract) and somehow we don't get enough of them - or maybe they are greater for being lesser? This is very much a character led film rather than story led which is what I prefer although it has to try far harder when it relies on simply on great acting. For those who hung around until the titles (I do hate it when people leave cinemas when the titles are running) - would be rewarded by hearing the genuine tapes of the conversations recorded at the start and can hear just how annoyingly pedantic she was. I gather there is one living author who created a similar type 'control' when her books where filmed but it is just rumour and I can't say who it was! We'd just watched 'Quartet' the week before and loved it so much that this film fell by one mark. Good, very good, but not great.

I purchased this DVD to add to my basket to obtain free delivery. I did note when it was in the cinema I would have been interested in seeing it but life being as busy as it is I never got the opportunity. I sat yesterday, on a cold rainy day & put on the DVD. What a wonderful movie. I was engaged & enthralled from beginning to the end. A nice story for a winters day.It evoked happiness, sadness, laughter & was a lovely smooth movie with a story which had a beginning, middle & end. I am unsure of the accuracy of the story told but having enjoyed Mary Poppins as a child Saving Mr Banks was a lovely back story. I felt it was very well acted, I was amused by Mr Disney & his vision of Disneyland - if his views depicted in this movie were accurate he must not be too impressed with the modern day Disneyland! I have visited all three - so in my opinion not the value & view of Mr Disney depicted in Saving Mr Banks.

If you want a trip down memory lane or should I say "Cherry Tree Lane", you have got to watch this film. Unlike many Disney films, it isn't too sickly, i.e. not too many "spoonfuls of sugar". A real eye opener as to the true story behind the writing and making of Mary Poppins. Fascinating watching the writer growing up and in some places tragic as it is revealed how her childhood experiences moulded her and relate back to the book which was written years before the film was made. Emma Thompson was superb as Pamela Travers the uptight and outspoken English author who, at first, was reluctant to met the extrovert Walt Disney and his team, who go on to transform her book and bring Mary Poppins to life. Not forgetting the ever talented Tom Hanks who held his own as Walt Disney. I laughed, smiled, cried and even had a bit of a sing-a-long (It's not a musical). Suitable for all ages. There is nothing to dislike, it's just an amusing and cleverly written film so settle back and have Tinkerbell's fairy sprinkled over you for a thoroughly enjoyable 2 hours.

This is a very engaging, enjoyable, at times moving film. Clearly we all know Mary Poppins eventually got made, so to construct a script that keeps you watching a story built around "will she or won't she?" is no mean feat. You can't help wondering that perhaps certain traits of PL Travers' character were overdone somewhat for effect, and that her insisting on meetings being recorded was one such exaggeration. But then if you watch the ending credits, you will hear one of the real tapes being played. They really do exist, and equally clearly, perhaps they didn't overdo her character that much! Tom Hanks is a superb actor, I think films of him mowing his lawn would be highly watchable, and he plays Walt Disney brilliantly. But he is not the only star, all the actors around him are brilliant too. A very good Sunday afternoon film, most enjoyable. If you like Mary Poppins. And who doesn't?

I cried so many times during this book. It's moving yet uplifting in the sense that the story behind Mary Poppins holds such an interesting background. I can't say too much about it otherwise I'd give it all away, but I love how it gets straight into the storyline, doesn't faff around, and surprises you in the best way possible. I even researched the background of Mary Poppins to see how much was true because usually when it says 'based on a true story' about 4% of the film is true, but surprisingly, there is only one point that was incorrect in the film. Even some of the conversations were the same. The only downfall was I felt it was a little too long, (almost 2 1/2 hours) but I guess we wouldn't get the full sense of the story if it was shorter. Well worth a watch, I learnt so much from it!

Excelente película y el blue ray en perfectas condiciones.

Déjà vu, mais je le voulais en DVD tellement c'est une réussite, je vais donc pouvoir le voir autant de fois que je le veux sur ma télé, et en bonne qualité cette fois. Je suis heureuse de retrouver la vraie voix française d'Emma Thompson, qui avait été si compliqué à trouver lors de mon premier visionnage. Belle histoire, bon jeu d'acteurs, Tom Hanks et Emma Thompson = combo gagnant. La fin est émouvante, je pleure à chaque fois. Bravo pour ce film !

Envoie rapide, article emballer dans une enveloppe à bulles donc bien protégé. Colis arrivé une semaine avant la date estimée par Amazon. Je recommande

Il est impossible de visionner le dvd, donc cet achat est frustrant car le format du dvd n'est pas compatible avec nos lecteurs en Europe. J'aurais aimé en être informée à l'achat car ici j'ai dépensé de l'argent inutilement et bien déçue de ne pas pouvoir découvrir le film....

Saving Mr Banks is one of those movies that has remained in my heart since seeing it at the theatre when it came out in 2013. There is so much to it that is requires multiple viewings. Emma is superb as the main character and is a pleasure to watch in all her cranky splendor. And maybe not so much cranky than sticking to her views and passion for her beloved Mary. If you have never seen her before watch Harry Potter (Prisoner of Azkaban, Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows pts 1 and 2) to see her as Professor Trelawney. Tom Hanks is also good as Walt Disney, however, this movie isnt about him as much as it is about the relationship between Miss Travers and her Father, and how it affected it her as a child, adult, and ultimately his redemption at the end of the movie. It takes Walt a while to figure out what is going on with her and once he does the story comes to its fruition. Disney fans will see references here ie redoing the Disneyland entrance in 2013 for the making of the movie to match the way the park looked back in 1964 and filming on the studio grounds and Walt's office. Accolades also to Paul Giamatti ( great as the chauffer) and Colin Farrell who appears in a different role here. It was also nice to see RIchard Sherman (original songwriter with his Brother Robert) in a consulting role here. This can be seen in the bluray extras.