Finding Neverland (2004)

Director:

Marc Forster

Writers:

Allan Knee (play)
David Magee (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 November 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Family

Tagline:

Unlock your imagination.

Plot:

The story of J.M. Barrie's friendship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan.

Plot Keywords:

Play | Peter Pan | Widow | 1903 | Friendship

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 16 wins & 54 nominations

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Sir James Matthew Barrie
Kate Winslet	...	Sylvia Llewelyn Davies
Julie Christie	...	Mrs. Emma du Maurier
Radha Mitchell	...	Mary Ansell Barrie
Dustin Hoffman	...	Charles Frohman
Freddie Highmore	...	Peter Llewelyn Davies
Joe Prospero	...	Jack Llewelyn Davies
Nick Roud	...	George Llewelyn Davies
Luke Spill	...	Michael Llewelyn Davies
Ian Hart	...	Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Kelly Macdonald	...	'Peter Pan'
Mackenzie Crook	...	Mr. Jaspers - Usher
Eileen Essell	...	Mrs. Snow
Jimmy Gardner	...	Mr. Snow
Oliver Fox	...	Gilbert Cannan

Also Known As:

J.M. Barrie's Neverland (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language.

Runtime:

106 min | USA:101 min (DVD) (Encore print)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Taiwan:GP | Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #39814) | Malaysia:U | Netherlands:6 | South Korea:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:T | Malaysia:U (DVD) | New Zealand:PG | Sweden:Btl | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Chile:TE | Czech Republic:U | Finland:K-7 | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:I | Ireland:PG | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

When J.M. Barrie and the Llewelyn Davies family are traveling by buggy to Mary Ansell Barrie's (James's wife) cottage, a flock of sheep stops in front of the buggy and it is forced to stop. This is included in the film because the buggy is an original from the late 1800s and is not able to properly run. To make it go, it is pushed over the hill. To cover for it stopping suddenly at the base of the hill, director Marc Forester decided to have the sheep block the road.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The first scene of "Finding Neverland", is set in 1903, the opening night of James Barrie's play "Little Mary". The vehicle in which Mr & Mrs Snow arrive is a Rolls-Royce model 40/50 HP, also known as a "Silver Ghost". This is an anachronism. The Rolls-Royce company was formed in 1904, with production of the 40/50 HP started in 1907. Moreover, the car has a "Flying Lady" mascot on the radiator which was not designed by Charles Sykes until 1911. The specific car is identifiable from its registration number - BM 8794. It is chassis number 1979, which was delivered new on 10th May 1912. The car used to drive to the summer cottage is a Mitchell Tourer, made in Racine Wisconsin, USA. Although the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company was founded in 1903, the model in the film appears to be about 1911, judging by the shape and style of the lettering on the radiator. It's certainly no earlier than 1910.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Charles Frohman: Opening night. I love opening night. How are you? Did you see him?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Paul Giamatti/Ludacris featuring Sum-41 (#30.10)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Medieval and Renaissance Fanfare No. 7

Superb Acting and Brilliantly Made

Finding Neverland is one of the best films I have seen all year. Depp and Winslet are superb and their supporting cast is very strong in particular Julie Christie, Dustin Hoffman and Freddie Highmore. Forster's direction is tight and he maintains a story which had the potential to drag. Depp delivers a performance that is truly believable and he interacts with his co-stars well, in particular, Freddie Highmore who delivers a performance that outshines Depp's. It is a tour de force of acting talent. Clearly Highmore has a great career ahead of him. 9/10 for a superb piece of film-making, made diligently but, unfortunately, up against such strong contention, it had to make do with a disappointing award haul.