Children's Book to Feature Film # 3- Matilda

The book Matilda by Roald Dahl is a story about a gifted young girl who taught herself to read and strive to do more than her dishonest and self-centered parents. Matilda's father sold second-hand cars for high prices and did not follow the law. Matilda' s mother also did not pay any attention to her. When Matilda was six, her uncaring and rude parents sent her to school at Crumchem Hall Primary School. The principal of this school, Miss Truchbull hated Matilda and all 0f the other kids. Miss Honey was Matilda's loving and caring teacher. She recognized all of Matilda's strengths. Eventually, Matilda discovered that she had special powers that allowed her to move things with her mind. Miss Honey supported Matilda and loved her as her own daughter. Matilda was able to scare Ms. Trunchbull out of town using her powers. Lastly, Matilda's parents allowed Miss Honey to adopt her and they lived happily together.


In 1996, a feature film was made. This movie was modernized and Americanized retelling of the book. Instead of taking place in England, Matilda was raised in the United States. Also, more modern foods and settings were used then in the book. I also noticed that the violence that Ms. Trunchbull forced was not as harsh. When she threw the girl out the window she landed on her bottom unlike the book where she fell on her face and was hurt. The book was definitely tweeked and changed in a way that would appeal to the American consumer without dramatically changing the story line to make the feature film.