Saving Mr. Banks the Movie

[mickclub1955]

Just got back from watching this movie and all I can say is wow. It was well acted and it showed the human side of both Walt and P.L. Travers. It also not only showed how mean she was, it gave a glimpse of why she was the way she was. All I can say is go see it. I know not everyone will like it, all I can say is that I did. Be sure to stay and watch the credits. Mrs. Travers audio taped all of the meetings, and they play some real audio from one those tapes. It was great getting to hear a part of a real meeting.

[DisneyGiant]

Be sure to stay and watch the credits. Mrs. Travers audio taped all of the meetings, and they play some real audio from one those tapes. It was great getting to hear a part of a real meeting.

I second this recommendation.

I did not expect it to be so sad...... If they had to do it all over again - I wish they would have released it in the summer or some other time besides Christmas.

Also - I'd recommend not bringing kids to it. I took two 12 year olds - they did not really "get" the flashback scenes & they were bored to tears. Plus - did I mention it was kind of sad?

All in all though - great drama. I will be re-watching Mary Poppins again - in a new light!!!

Also - I'll say one phrase - that I found amusing - I don't think its giving anything away - "No Red?"

Struck my funny bone!

[BrerGnat]

The movie is rated PG-13 for good reason. It is definitely an adult themed film. It was quite heavy but I knew that going in.

This is PL Travers' story. And a sad one indeed.

IMO, though, a very well acted and directed movie with a solid storyline. Exactly what you want a movie to be

[Katzateer]

My youngest (19) and I enjoyed and yes, bring the tissues. I am not a big Mary Poppins fan but I enjoyed the movie. Loved the scenes from Disneyland - have not been there in over 35 years and it brought back memories. And the entire Disney studios- reminded me of the Studios at WDW so much. All the buildings made me miss MGM at WDW. Did not realize how the buildings and lines on structures were all based on Walt's actual studios. I was thinking more of MGM and the old Hollywood in the design of the park.

I think Tom and Emma did a great job and the other actors were good too. Surprised how little time "Mary Poppins" was actually in the film.

[Pastcastmemberdaughter]

Oh my. You guys are making me think twice about seeing this movie for now. I don't think my pregnancy hormones could handle it. I'll be a mess! I mean I was trying not to cry during the Hunger Games last month for goodness sakes, lol!

[BrowncatP]

I saw it yesterday as well. Yes, make sure you stay until the last credit rolls. Not only do you hear some of the real recording, but the movie is dedicated to someone special to Walt. It is sad the life P.L had. Also note that the movie is "based on real events." Not all that you see is factual.

[MNNHFLTX]

Also note that the movie is "based on real events." Not all that you see is factual.

Agreed. After seeing the movie yesterday, I was intrigued by the whole story of how Mary Poppins came to be, so I did a little research. Based on P.L. Travers biographer, she was greatly disillusioned by the end result and felt ill-treated by studio execs (and presumably Walt too). That was disappointing to hear, given how the movie neatly tied everything up. But it was a very good movie, thought-provoking and not a tear-jerker in the classic sense--more poignant than anything. Tom Hanks was wonderful, as good a portrayal of Walt as you could get, IMO, and Emma Thompson was equally good. And lots of marvelous supporting roles that really made the early days of Disney Studios come to life for me.

[Kenny1113]

I second this recommendation.



Also - I'd recommend not bringing kids to it. I took two 12 year olds - they did not really "get" the flashback scenes & they were bored to tears. Plus - did I mention it was kind of sad?

Thanks for this.
I want to take my mom who loves the Mary Poppins movie. I was debating whether or not to take my boys along (12 and 9).

[Altair]

Saw this today and thought it was really good. I also thought Tom Hanks did a nice job as Walt. I'm just afraid this movie is going to bomb at the box office. I viewed it with maybe 25 other people in the theater. I don't know if there is wide enough appeal for it to succeed. It only did $9.3 million it's first weekend.

[caryrae]

We are going to see this in a couple hours. My wife says people at her work really liked it and highly recommended it.

[TinkerbellT421]

DBF and I went and saw it after Christmas dinner. I have to say, I absolutely LOVED it! And yes, extremely sad, balled my eyes out, but I cry at the drop of a dime so...But, I can see how "non-Disney" fans, or others who don't "get Disney", won't like it. I also fear it may bomb a bit, but hope it does well enough. Being a huge Disney fan, huge Tom Hanks fan and HUGE Marry Poppins fan, I think I would have loved it even if it didn't have a good story line. Brergnat nailed it in:

The movie is rated PG-13 for good reason. It is definitely an adult themed film. It was quite heavy but I knew that going in.

This is PL Travers' story. And a sad one indeed.

IMO, though, a very well acted and directed movie with a solid storyline. Exactly what you want a movie to be

[NJGIRL]

I was really hyped to see this movie when I first heard about it. But after the reviews here, I thought it was going to be a "light, fun" movie, I decided not to see it until it comes on TV.

I also researched a little and didn't like the fact that I am hearing that the movie made the end relationship out to be OK, when what I found was the opposite. But I guess that they can't make Walt or the company out to be the bad guys.

I agree with this movie having appeal to a limited crowd, especially during the Christmas holiday.

[Tink1]

Saw this last week and thought it was very good!

My sister (who also enjoyed it) commented on the way out "they can use that movie in a pysch class" .

Nanc

[Melanie]

I was really hyped to see this movie when I first heard about it. But after the reviews here, I thought it was going to be a "light, fun" movie, I decided not to see it until it comes on TV.



I also researched a little and didn't like the fact that I am hearing that the movie made the end relationship out to be OK, when what I found was the opposite. But I guess that they can't make Walt or the company out to be the bad guys.



I agree with this movie having appeal to a limited crowd, especially during the Christmas holiday.

Honestly Rita, I read as well that they neatly tied it up with a bow, but that's not at all how I interpreted it. There is no where in the movie where she's screaming 'I loved it! You're all geniuses!' I took what I knew of the truth - what they showed, what they didn't show - and that was my ending.

And to my surprise, they didn't sugarcoat Walt, or the things he did to get MP made.

[TinkerbellT421]

Honestly Rita, I read as well that they neatly tied it up with a bow, but that's not at all how I interpreted it. There is no where in the movie where she's screaming 'I loved it! You're all geniuses!' I took what I knew of the truth - what they showed, what they didn't show - and that was my ending.

And to my surprise, they didn't sugarcoat Walt, or the things he did to get MP made.

I walked away with this feeling as well.
They didn't end by saying one way or another about how it really ended. They didn't show her say she loved it or hated it. I think they left it for up to people's interpretation. If people don't know the "real" background of the story then I can see how they would assume she loved it. But as people that know the background, it is left for interpretation I feel.

[Melanie]

I walked away with this feeling as well.

They didn't end by saying one way or another about how it really ended. They didn't show her say she loved it or hated it. I think they left it for up to people's interpretation. If people don't know the "real" background of the story then I can see how they would assume she loved it. But as people that know the background, it is left for interpretation I feel.

Right! She wasn't crying at the premiere because she loved it.

[Elias1901]

I certainly enjoyed this film, to say the VERY least!! I have seen it a total of 5 or 6 times now. I'm thinking 6. I think the film was brilliant, simply a crowned jewel... a marvel... a senstation.... it's... well, when is all said and done, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Didn't even look the spelling of that up!

I originally saw it at the premiere at the actual Walt Disney Studios lot in Burbank, California. It was a nice event they put on and you could even go on a self-tour of the studios to see spots used for filming the movie. Tom Hanks (Walt Disney), Emma Thompson (P.L. Travers), Jason Schwartzman (Richard M. Sherman), B.J. Novak (Robert B. Sherman), Bradley Whitford (Don DaGradi), Paul Giamatti (Ralph the Driver), and Colin Farrell (Travers Goff) and a handful of other stars in the film were on hand for the premiere, even Richard M. Sherman himself was there to watch it all finally unfold to the public and press. Heck, even Disney CEO Bob Iger made it out for this truly special night. It was pure magic.

So... is this film a 100% accurate documentary that repeats history exactly verbatim? No, not at all. Is it a very faithful yet dramatic and cinematic representation of Walt Disney's struggle to get the rights from Ms. Travers to make Mary Poppins a reality? Of course and I think it couldn't have left the audience satisified any other way. Some of us know that Pamela was never fully satisified by the film and she had a lot of bitterness, but in the end result, she had a certain fondness for Walt himself and had taken somewhat of a shine to him. This movie wasn't intended to be a dry and storyline-less film. It is truth set in a carefully woven dramatization. Nothing more, nothing less. How can it not leave an up-lifting feeling of magical fulfillment in your heart when the cedits begin to roll and the final bit of score swells?
I sure know that Richard Sherman felt that way when I saw him crying his eyes out while watching the film. I managed to speak with him afterward and he said that being the musical consultant during the film's production had been one of the most emotional rides of his life. So many wonderful memories relived before his eyes again. He was very sentimental. It was like he stepped back to a time when he could visit with Walt again and relive some of the happiest moments of his career. He got to see himself as a young man, making this magical film called, "Mary Poppins" come to life. Sherman himself said the film is almost exactly how things happened. Or a good representation at the very least. He was moved!

The cast was brilliant (no doubt that Emma Thompson will win the Oscar this year for her excellent portrayal of Ms. P.L. Travers and perhaps Tom Hanks in best supporting role as Walt) and was chalk full of talented actors and actresses who brought one of the most important times in the Walt Disney Studio's history to life. In addition, the script and storyline of the film in itself was just swell! Thomas Newman's scoring for the film was also sublime. I suggest you go download the deluxe edition of his soudntrack in the iTunes Store! Newman created a fantastic soundtrack and deserves to be recognized!

The sets and locations (while mostly were already existing places such as the Walt Disney Studios lot and Disneyland) were amazingly detailed as well. I really enjoyed picking through all the meticulously crafted tributes, easter eggs, and small details in the background of this film. And trust me, the film's creators poured in plenty of that stuff! And I must say, them recreating 1960's versions of the Studios and Disneyland was a real treat. Somethings were changed through time which caused for some inaccuracies, but I think the least we can do is put that aside for a few hours and suspend our disbelief for the creator's efforts. I just loved how there was so many Disney "in-jokes" for fan's to catch, and honestly that was one of best parts of the film for me. Oh, and Tom was great as Walt! Didn't bug me!

I thought that the balance of film's content jumping between the mayhem at the Walt Disney Studios and Travers' childhood in Australia to be very suitable and appropriately utilized. In short, if you are a Disney history fan, a Walt fan, a Mary Poppins fan... a fan of good movies in general... go see this film. You shouldn't be dissapointed! And to all the haters and naysayers that just complain and simply can never be pleased with anything and say the film wasn't 100% accurate or was sugar coated or whatever else on God's green Earth ales them... all I have to say to them is... GO FLY A KITE!!

On a side note, I also heard that the Disney Parks Blog even had a mock-up premiere meet-up at Disney's Hollywood Studios in front of the Grauman's Chinese Theatre facade with Mary Poppins characters on-hand to meet and greet with guests. I must admit, that must've been cool to see!

Anyway, in the end... TWO THUMBS WAYYYYY UP for me!

Again, go see this film... more Disney history dramatizations NEED to be made! Period. Hopefully one on Walt's life story is made... like this tribute movie poster featuring Ryan Gosling as a younger Walt:

http://www.disneydreaming.com/wp-con...vie-Poster.jpg

P.S. Be sure to buy this film on it's Blu-ray release! I know I will be!

[MNNHFLTX]

I was really hyped to see this movie when I first heard about it. But after the reviews here, I thought it was going to be a "light, fun" movie, I decided not to see it until it comes on TV.

I also researched a little and didn't like the fact that I am hearing that the movie made the end relationship out to be OK, when what I found was the opposite. But I guess that they can't make Walt or the company out to be the bad guys.

I agree, Rita. I almost wish I hadn't dug around a bit, looking into the true story of how PL Travers felt about the movie, after the fact. Even more telling was that when she was approached about developing the story into a stage production, she agreed to it only with the stipulation that no one from the film production was to have any involvement in it.

That said, I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend people see Saving Mr. Banks in the theaters. Her background, specifically her devotion to her troubled (but doting) father, certainly made her actions more understandable. And that connection is made very well in the movie. It was very touching.

I don't know that Walt or any of the other Disney people involved had anything but good intentions with Mary Poppins. They certainly took creative license in adapting it from the original books, that is true, but they knew what would pull people into the theaters. In the end they were right, and they also made a lot of money for Travers.

[Lacy]

Finally got a chance to go see the movie yesterday and LOVED it. I don't think it was too sugar coated and my impression at the end was that she excepted the movie being made but still wasn't completely happy. And I think Walt not inviting her to the premiere showed that things were not all wonderful at the end.

I too found it interesting to read after the fact that she agreed to help with the musical as long as no one from the film was involved.

In general a very moving story that was very well done. And it inspired me to watch the movie about the Sherman Bros - so I'll finally get around to watching The Boys which has been on my list.

And Disney Connoisseur thanks for the recap of the premiere at the studios!

[Altair]

I too found it interesting to read after the fact that she agreed to help with the musical as long as no one from the film was involved.

She went beyond that and said no Americans could be involved.