The 1996 Mara Wilson catapulted into the spotlight as Matilda Wormwood, working alongside Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman as Harry and Zinnia Wormwood. Wilson had previously gained recognition for her roles in Mrs. Doubtfire and the 1994 Miracle on 34th Street remake. However, most the actress as the strong-willed and intelligent character in the DeVito-directed comedy. In 2013, Dahl's story hit Broadway after a successful run in the West End. The musical was adapted into a movie musical and premiered on Netflix in December 2022, receiving mostly positive reviews.
While some still prefer the 1996 Matilda, many were quick to point out that the movie musical stayed more true to Dahl's book. However, one unexplained change in both the stage and Netflix musical is the absence of Matilda's brother. The musical focuses on Matilda as an only child and spends much more time at Matilda's school with Miss Trunchbull, while the 1996 film utilizes DeVito and Perlman's comedic dynamic, spending more time at home. There were many other aspects of the 1996 film that were different in the book, though they didn't take away from the plot or prevent audiences from falling in love with the movie.
6 Matilda Is Younger In The Book
In Dahl's story, Matilda is only 5 and a half. However, in the film, the character is 6 and a half. Dahl's story makes Matilda's intelligence even more impressive as she was only in Kindergarten with the knowledge of a middle schooler. Most Kindergarteners are still learning the alphabet and spending most of their time coloring in class.
It's likely the film aged Matilda up to make the story more realistic. Matilda's classmates, while not as advanced as her, are also aware and intelligent, which is more enjoyable than if the film was set in Kindergarten with characters too young to understand much. Also, Wilson was 8 years old at the time of filming, so it was easier for her to convince audiences she was 6 and a half than 5 and a half.
5 Mrs. Phelps' Role Is Less Significant In The Movie
Mrs. Phelps appears at the beginning of Dahl's book. She's very encouraging of Matilda and is proud of her dedication to reading and learning in a way her parents aren't. Mrs. Phelps is also concerned about Matilda's living situation because she knows her parents aren't very attentive and don't seem to care much about her. While the 2022 musical adaptation gives Mrs. Phelps a crucial role, the 1996 film cuts out most of Mrs. Phelps' story. The librarian appears very briefly at the beginning of Matilda when the main character is very young, and she doesn't have much dialogue as DeVito narrates throughout her scenes.
4 The Movie Is Set in California Instead Of The UK
Since Dahl himself is from the UK, it makes sense his story was set there too. The Matilda musical followed suit, both on stage and on screen. However, the 1996 adaptation took Dahl's story across the world to Los Angeles, California. The film was produced by United States production companies, so it makes sense it was set in the country. It was also directed by DeVito, who likely had a say in its location. With a cast of American actors and a more Americanized sense of humor than the UK book, the film's location is valid.
3 Matilda's Powers Are Used Differently In The Book
In the book, Matilda doesn't start using her powers until halfway through. The first time she uses them is in class when she knocks a glass of water over because Miss Trunchbull is mad about the newt in the water. In the film, Matilda's powers come into play much earlier. Instead, Matilda first uses her powers by making her TV explode because her father makes her watch TV instead of reading books. While the water scene does happen in the film, too, it happens differently.
In the book, Matilda tells Miss Honey she knocked the glass over and then shows her, but in the movie, she's unable to activate her powers again. She realizes she can only use them when she's angry. Also, at the end of the book, Matilda loses her powers, and Miss Honey suggests she gained them because she wasn't being challenged enough in her class, and because she is now in advanced classes, she doesn't need her powers anymore. In the movie, Matilda is shown continuing to use her powers at the end of the film.
2 Matilda Never Went To Trunchbull's House In The Book
A crucial scene in the 1996 Matilda film is when the main character sneaks into Miss Trunchbull's house. However, this never happened in Dahl's story. In the film, Matilda actually goes to the house twice. One time, she goes with Miss Honey after her teacher tells her the story of her childhood, and another time she sneaks in by herself. Miss Honey shows Matilda all the things she re from her home, like the chocolate and her father's portrait.
When they sneak to Miss Honey's old room, Miss Trunchbull comes home, and they have to leave before she catches them. However, Matilda returns at night to steal back Miss Honey's childhood doll. Unfortunately, she leaves behind her hair bow, and her cover is blown. While the scenes weren't in the book, they were a great addition to the film.
1 Matilda Wasn't Put In The Chokey In The Book
One of the most terrifying aspects of Matilda is Miss Trunchbull's chokey. The chokey is a very small metal room with large nails poking out, where Miss Trunchbull locks children that behave badly. Though, most of the kids aren't actually behaving badly but are acting against her unfair rules. In the book, the character Hortensia was put in the chokey twice. One of the times was for putting syrup all over Miss Trunchbull's chair, and another time was for putting itching powder in her gym shorts draw.
While Matilda never went to the chokey in the book, the film features a terrifying scene where she gets locked in the room because her father sold Miss Trunchbull a faulty car, and the teacher blames it on Matilda. It was a smart choice to add the scene where Matilda is put in the chokey because audiences resonate most with the main character. The chokey holds more significance when Matilda is put in the terrifying room than the other characters. The Matilda scene also cements Miss Trunchbull as one of the scariest villains in a children's movie.
