Matilda (1996)

Director:

Danny DeVito

Writers (WGA):

Roald Dahl (book)
Nicholas Kazan (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

2 August 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

A little magic goes a long way.

Plot:

Story of a wonderful little girl, who happens to be a genius, and her wonderful teacher vs. the worst parents ever and the worst school principal imaginable.

Plot Keywords:

Cute Girl | Best Friend | Steal | Supernatural Power | Bad Parents

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Mara Wilson	...	Matilda Wormwood
Danny DeVito	...	Harry Wormwood / Narrator
Rhea Perlman	...	Zinnia Wormwood
Embeth Davidtz	...	Miss Jennifer 'Jenny' Honey
Pam Ferris	...	Agatha Trunchbull
Paul Reubens	...	FBI Agent Bob
Tracey Walter	...	FBI Agent Bill
Brian Levinson	...	Michael 'Mikey' Wormwood
Jean Speegle Howard	...	Miss Phelps
Sara Magdalin	...	Matilda at 4 Years
R.D. Robb	...	Roy
Gregory R. Goliath	...	Luther (as Goliath Gregory)
Fred Parnes	...	Waiter
Kiami Davael	...	Lavender
Leor Livneh Hackel	...	Julius Rottwinkle
Jacqueline Steiger	...	Amanda Thripp
Jimmy Karz	...	Bruce 'Little Brucey / Brucey' Bogtrotter
Michael Valentine	...	Nigel Hicks
Liam Kearns	...	Charles
Mark Watson	...	Magnus
Kira Spencer Hesser	...	Hortensia
J.C. Alexander	...	Nearby Boy
Malone Brinton	...	Older Boy
Marion Dugan	...	The Cook
Joshua Alvarez	...	Child at Assembly
Max E. Blum	...	Child at Assembly
Erin M. Gray	...	Child at Assembly
Misty L. Oppenheim	...	Child at Assembly
Christopher Shepard Hughes	...	Child at Assembly
Rachel Snow	...	Liza
Craig Lamar Traylor	...	Child in Classroom
Jennifer Key	...	Child in Classroom
Marty Bautista	...	Child in Classroom
Anthony Hernandez	...	Child in Classroom
Raina Cease	...	Child in Classroom
Jonathan Osser	...	Child in Classroom (as Jonathan Cease)
Vinnie Buffolino	...	Child in Classroom
Marcella Sassano	...	Child in Classroom
Johnny Thomas III	...	Child in Classroom
Shannon Hughes	...	Child in Classroom
Christel Khalil	...	Child in Classroom
Cassie Colaw	...	Child in Classroom
Austin Stout	...	Child in Classroom
Cindy Tran	...	Child in Classroom
Jonathan Feyer	...	Child in Classroom
Alissa Graham	...	Newborn Matilda
Amanda Graham	...	Newborn Matilda
Trevor Gallagher	...	Newborn Matilda
James Gallagher	...	Newborn Matilda
Kayla Fredericks	...	Matilda at 9 Months
Kelsey Fredericks	...	Matilda at 9 Months
Amanda Fein	...	Matilda as a Toddler
Caitlin Fein	...	Matilda as a Toddler
Nicholas Cox	...	Michael at 6 Years
Amanda Summers	...	Miss Honey at 2 Years
Kristyn Summers	...	Miss Honey at 2 Years
Phoebe Pearl	...	Miss Honey at 5 Years
Kathy Barbour	...	Female Sticky Contestant #1 (as Kathy Lynn Barbour)
Donna Spangler	...	Million $ Sticky Showgirl
Marianne Curan	...	Female Sticky Contestant #2
Penny Holland	...	Female Sticky Contestant #3
Richard E. Coe	...	Male Sticky Contestant
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jon Lovitz	...	Million $ Sticky Host (uncredited)
Christopher Villar	...	Child at assembly (uncredited)

Directed by
Danny DeVito

Writing credits (WGA)
Roald Dahl		(book)
Nicholas Kazan		(screenplay) &
Robin Swicord		(screenplay)

Produced by
Martin Bregman	....	executive producer
Liccy Dahl	....	producer
Danny DeVito	....	producer
Nicholas Kazan	....	co-producer
Joshua Levinson	....	associate producer
Michael Peyser	....	executive producer
Michael Shamberg	....	producer
Stacey Sher	....	producer
Robin Swicord	....	co-producer

Original Music by
David Newman

Cinematography by
Stefan Czapsky		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Lynzee Klingman
Brent White

Casting by
Renee Rousselot		(as Renée Rousselot)
David Rubin

Production Design by
Bill Brzeski

Art Direction by
Philip Toolin

Set Decoration by
Jennifer Polito		(as Jennifer Polito-Gaulke)

Costume Design by
Jane Ruhm

Makeup Department
Edouard F. Henriques	....	makeup artist (as Edouard Henriques)
Julie Hewett	....	additional makeup artist
Lucia Mace	....	hair stylist
Ve Neill	....	key makeup artist
Joan Phillips	....	additional hair stylist (as Jo An Phillips)
Kim Santantonio	....	additional hair stylist
Yolanda Toussieng	....	key hair stylist

Production Management
Michael Peyser	....	unit production manager
Jeremiah Samuels	....	production supervisor
Lisa Yesko	....	post-production supervisor
Chantal Feghali	....	post-production supervisor (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Cara Giallanza	....	first assistant director
Jackie C. Lee	....	dga trainee (as Jackie Lee)
Marge Piane	....	second assistant director
Michael Risoli	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Sharon E. Alshams	....	set designer (as Sharon Alshams)
Jenny Baum	....	key set dresser
Bonnie Bennetts	....	lead person
Conny Boettger	....	art department coordinator
Chuck Eskridge	....	stand-by painter (as Chuck Eskridge Jr.)
Emily Ferry	....	property master
Brett Gollin	....	assistant property master
Otniel Gonzalez	....	assistant property master
Walton D. Hadfield	....	construction coordinator (as Walton Hadfield)
Dick Hansen	....	set dresser
Bart C. Hubenthal	....	swing gang (as Bart Hubenthal)
Richard W. Jones	....	greens stand-by (as Richard Jones)
Barbara Mesney	....	set designer
Harold Michelson	....	art department visual consultant
David Needham	....	swing gang
Andrew Neskoromny	....	set designer (as Andrew Neskormomny)
Jay Pelissier	....	assistant art director
Joy Taylor	....	assistant property master
James F. Walker	....	construction foreman
Jason Weil	....	assistant art director
Dena Allen	....	buyer (uncredited)
Fred Apolito	....	propmaker (uncredited)
Lloyd A. Buswell	....	construction foreman (uncredited)
Randy L. Childs	....	propmaker (uncredited)

Sound Department
Lois A. Bellucci	....	assistant sound editor (as Lola Hoover)
Rick Canelli	....	adr recordist
Benjamin Cheah	....	assistant sound editor (as Ben Cheah)
Marko A. Costanzo	....	foley artist (as Marco Costanza)
Kim Drummond	....	assistant sound editor (as Kim Haves)
Eugene Gearty	....	sound effects editor
Lewis Goldstein	....	sound effects editor
Jeff Gomillion	....	adr mixer
Douglas Greenfield	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Lola Hoover	....	assistant sound editor
Jeffrey A. Humphreys	....	boom operator (as Jeffrey Humphreys)
David Kelson	....	sound mixer
Frank Kern	....	foley editor
Rick Kline	....	sound re-recording mixer
Vanessa Lapato	....	assistant sound editor
Blake Leyh	....	sound effects recordist
Skip Lievsay	....	supervising sound editor
Robert Mackston	....	supervising sound editor (as Bobby Mackston)
James Matheny	....	dialogue editor
Kathy McCart	....	sound recordist
Kimberly R. McCord	....	assistant sound editor (as Kimberly McCord)
Donald O. Mitchell	....	sound re-recording mixer
Frank A. Montaño	....	sound re-recording mixer
Thomas J. O'Connell	....	adr mixer
Bruce Pross	....	foley supervisor
Gary Ritchie	....	sound recordist
Scott Sherline	....	cable person
Stuart Stanley	....	foley editor
Renee Tondelli	....	supervising adr editor
Steven Visscher	....	foley editor (as Steve Visscher)

Special Effects by
Ariana Aguilar	....	coordinator: Cinesite
Donald Elliott	....	special effects
Cory Faucher	....	special effects
Louie Lantieri	....	special effects
Michael Lantieri	....	special effects supervisor
Matt McDonnell	....	special effects (as Matthew McDonnell)
Dan Ossello	....	special effects (as Daniel B. Ossello)
Tom Pahk	....	special effects (as Thomas Pahk)
Tom Tokunaga	....	special effects (as Tom Tokunga)

Visual Effects by
Travis Baumann	....	paint artist (roto artist)
Yau Chen	....	senior technical animator: Metrolight Studios
John Follmer	....	supervising producer: MetroLight Studios
David Fuhrer	....	visual effects (as Dave Fuhrer)
Jennifer Law-Stump	....	digital effects artist: Metrolight Studios/Pacific Title Digital
Michael J. McAlister	....	visual effects consultant (as Micheal J. McAlister)
Bill Neil	....	visual effects cinematography
Lori J. Nelson	....	visual effects producer
Aisling O'Brien	....	digital effects producer: CFC
Sean O'Connor	....	compositor: Cinesite
Dobbie Schiff	....	visual effects executive producer: MetroLight Studios
Nelson Sepulveda	....	compositor: Cinesite
Wayne A. Shepherd	....	digital compositor (as Wayne Shepherd)
Janek Sirrs	....	digital supervisor: CFC
Kendrick Wallace	....	line producer: Metrolight Studios
Barry Watkins	....	visual effects producer: Cinesite
Chris Watts	....	visual effects supervisor
Jerry Weil	....	senior technical animator: Metrolight Studios
Janet Yale	....	digital effects producer: CFC
Richard Brooks Burton	....	gyrosphere technician: blue screen unit (uncredited)
Daniele Colajacomo	....	visual effects animator (uncredited)
David Cornelius	....	motion control programmer (uncredited)
Fish Essenfeld	....	digital artist (uncredited)
James W. Kristoff	....	executive in charge of production: MetroLight Studios (uncredited)
David Lingenfelser	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Mark Alan Loso	....	compositor (uncredited)
Cristin Pescosolido	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Anne Putnam	....	visual effects producer: post production (uncredited)
Rebecca Ruether	....	computer graphics animator (uncredited)
Samrod Shenassa	....	technical assistant: MetroLight Studios (uncredited)

Stunts
May Boss	....	stunts
Janet Brady	....	stunts
John Cassidy	....	stunts
Laura Dash	....	stunts
Jeffrey J. Dashnaw	....	stunts (as Jeff Dashnaw)
Dana Dru Evenson	....	stunts (as Dana Evenson)
Rusty Hanson	....	stunts
Eddie Hice	....	stunts
Kent W. Luttrell	....	stunts (as Ken Luttrell)
Larry Nicholas	....	stunts
Bobby Porter	....	stunts
R.A. Rondell	....	stunt coordinator
Deep Roy	....	stunts
Robin Tracey Sherwood	....	stunts (as Robin Sherwood)
Dianne L. Wilson	....	stunts (as Dianne Wilson)

Camera and Electrical Department
Huston Beaumont	....	rigging best boy grip
Philippe Carr-Forster	....	camera operator (as Phil Carr-Forster)
John F. Cassidy	....	key grip (as John Cassidy)
John Cucura	....	rigging best boy electric
Kenny Davis	....	dolly grip
Deena DeNaro	....	second assistant camera
François Duhamel	....	still photographer
Steve Givens	....	best boy electric (as Steven Givens)
Ian Kelly	....	video engineer
Bob Leitelt	....	key rigging grip (as Robert Leitelt)
John Pierce	....	rigging gaffer (as John Peirce)
Joe-Joe Presson	....	best boy grip (as Joe Presson)
Lydia Smith	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Chris Squires	....	steadicam operator
Mark Streapy	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Rick Tiedeman	....	steadicam operator (as Rick Tiedemann)
Eric Tramp	....	first assistant camera
John Vecchio	....	chief lighting technician
Michael Alexonis	....	grip (uncredited)
Michael Kelem	....	gyrosphere camera operator (uncredited)
Charles Smith	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Marcy Brown	....	atmosphere casting assistant
Barbara Harris	....	voice casting
Chris Lowden	....	casting assistant
Stacey Rosen	....	casting associate
Brent Scarpo	....	extras casting
Jason James	....	local casting associate (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lucinda Campbell	....	key costumer
Donna M. Marcione	....	costume supervisor (as Donna Marcione)
Patricia McLaughlin	....	costume supervisor
Patricia McLauglin	....	costume supervisor (as Patricia McLauglin)
Nadine M. Reale	....	set costumer (as Nadine Reale)
Lori Stilson	....	set costumer
Karen Hare	....	costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Mellissa Bretherton	....	first assistant editor (as Melissa Bretherton)
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Michael Hofacre	....	first assistant editor
Martin Lazzarini	....	post-production assistant
Margaret Liu	....	first assistant editor
Bob Putynkowski	....	color timer
Polly Walter	....	assistant editor
Dale Jones	....	avid technician (uncredited)
Eric Rigney	....	avid technician (uncredited)

Music Department
Bruce Botnick	....	music recordist
Robert Fernandez	....	music recordist
J.J. George	....	music editor
Alexander Janko	....	orchestrator (as Xandy Janko)
Krystyna Newman	....	scoring consultant
Mark Ryan	....	assistant music editor (as Mark W. Ryan)
Tom Villano	....	supervising music editor
J.J. Holiday	....	musician (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Rick Chouinard	....	transportation co-captain
David Jernigan	....	transportation captain
James C. Taylor	....	transportation coordinator (as James Talyor)
Kelly Aldrich	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Pamela Abdy	....	assistant: Danny DeVito
Todd J. Adelman	....	medic (as Dr. Todd Adelman)
Gregory Alpert	....	assistant location manager
David M. Bernstein	....	production assistant (as David Bernstein)
Barbara Casner	....	assistant production office coordinator
Batou Chandler	....	production assistant
Annmarie Christiansen	....	stand-in
Joan Donnelly	....	stand-in
Loren Elkins	....	production assistant
J.J. Erlichman	....	production assistant
Gary Romolo Fiorelli	....	production assistant
Marty Frasu	....	synthesizer programmer (as Martin Frasu)
Mark Freedman	....	production assistant
Wilma Garscadden-Gahret	....	script supervisor
Ellen Gessert	....	assistant location manager
Amanda Gill	....	assistant location manager
Bill Green	....	trainer: Pam Ferris
Rachel Epstein Greenwald	....	children's coach
Victoria Gregory	....	assistant production accountant
Gabriela Gutentag	....	unit publicist
Debra Heesch	....	stand-in
Jeff Kamin	....	production assistant
Tony Kerum	....	caterer
Marcel Lundberg	....	production assistant
Karin McElhatton	....	animal wrangler (as Karen McElhatton)
Denise Morgan McGrath	....	production accountant
Phill Norman	....	title consultant
Brian Rosenberg	....	assistant: Danny DeVito
Stan Rosenfield	....	public relations
Debbie Schwab	....	production office coordinator (as Deborah Schwab)
Fred Scialla	....	stand-in
Ned R. Shapiro	....	location manager (as Ned Shapiro)
Kendally Shimer	....	stand-in
Sandy Shimooka	....	assistant to production supervisor (as Sandra Shimooka)
Shari Stagliano Maier	....	stand-in
Bill Turchyn	....	craft service
Peter Ward	....	assistant: Michael Peyser
Richard Wicklund	....	studio teacher
Jeff Winn	....	craft service
Barbara Bass	....	studio teacher (uncredited)
Mike Bodkin	....	intern (uncredited)
Al Cerullo	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)
Christian Clarke	....	set production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Nikki Allyn Grosso	....	special thanks
Suzie Wilson	....	dedicatee
Remus Yazoo	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Jersey Films (as A Jersey Films production)
• TriStar Pictures (presents)

Distributors

• Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (Argentina)
• Columbia TriStar Films de España S.A. (Spain)
• Columbia TriStar (Brazil) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar (Brazil) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar (Germany)
• LK-TEL (Argentina) (video)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)
• TriStar Pictures
• United International Pictures (UIP)

Special Effects

• Computer Film Company, The (CFC) (digital compositing)
• Computer Film Company, The (CFC) (digital effects)
• Computer Film Company, The (CFC) (wire removal)
• MetroLight Studios (digital animation)
• Cinesite (Hollywood) (digital visual effects)

Other Companies

• Bill Dance Casting  extras casting
• C-5  foley recording (as C-5 - N.Y.C.)
• Cinema Research  titles
• Sony Pictures Studios  post-production facilities (as Sony Pictures Studios Sound Department)
• Studio Animal Services  animal wrangling
• Technicolor  color timing
• Titan Sports  The World Wrestling Foundation clip courtesy of (as Titansports, Inc.)
• Tony Kerum Food Service  catering
• Trans World Entertainment (TWE)  "Pray For Death" clip courtesy of
• TriStar Pictures  author of this film/motion picture for the purpose of copyright and other laws
• Warner Bros. Pictures  "The FBI Story" clip courtesy of (as Warner Bros.)
• Warner Hollywood Studios  re-recording facilities

Also Known As:

Roald Dahl's Matilda

MPAA:

Rated PG for elements of exaggerated meanness and ridicule, and for some mild language.

Runtime:

98 min | USA:102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

South Korea:All | Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Belgium:KT | Chile:TE | Finland:K-8 | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG | Germany:6 | Italy:T | Netherlands:MG6 | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Arcadia, California, USA

Company:

Jersey Films

Trivia:

The car Harry sells to the Trunchbull is a 1970 Buick Electra 225 sedan.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Matilda first arrives at school, she has a sweater on over her dress, and a school journal in her hand. In the next shot, when Ms. Trunchbull comes out, the sweater and the journal are gone. Later when Matilda is inside the classroom, the sweater is still gone, but the journal reappears. Then when she gets home from school the sweater is back on.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: Everyone is born, but not everyone is born the same. Some will grow to be butchers, or bakers, or candlestick makers. Some will only be really good at making Jell-O salad. One way or another, though, every human being is unique, for better or for worse.
[Harry takes his first look at Matilda, grunts, and leaves]
Narrator: Most parents believe their children are the most beautiful creatures ever to grace the planet. Others take a less emotional approach:
Harry Wormwood: What a waste of time!
Zinnia Wormwood: And painful!
Harry Wormwood: And expensive... $9.25 for a bar of soap?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter Nick Kazan (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Little Bitty Pretty One

What a wonderful film - Not Dull for DAHL

"I'm smart your dumb, I'm big your little, I'm right your wrong and there's nothing you can do about it!" What a catchphrase – I could use that on my brother sometime but anyhow this was an influence on Matilda that made her strong and prepared her for her turbulent time ahead at school, especially with a nasty head teacher 'Miss Trunchbull'. Roald Dahl had written this book to show that a small girl like Matilda can show courage and get herself out of a bad situation, once the film had been made, everything I can remember from the book was alive with a sweet girl to a lazy Mum and Dad (played by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman). I give this film 10/10.