The Magic Faraway Tree

[readingmakesmehappy]

We’ve just been to see it and I wish they’d stuck more closely to the books. They spent very little time actually in the magic lands. Some terrible wigs. But the kids adored it and it passed the time very happily.

I'm going next week but am prepared to be a bit disappointed

It was certainly a modern interpretation, but the kids loved it.

I'm going next week and haven't re read the book as I've heard it's quite different and I only have a vague recollection of the book from childhood. They really should give people a heads up if something is a film of the book or just "inspired by".

It reminded me of the mckenzie crook wurzel gummidge. Didn't go with any kids- 68 and 55year old. I loved it as a bit of gentle escapism. Made me tearful at the end.

I loved the books as a child. I liked the film (but obviously with it being a kids' film didn't love it like I'm sure I would have if I'd been a kid as it wasnt aimed at me.) Saw it with adult dd who I read the books to as a child and she liked it too.
I'd like to see a few more lands so would watch sequels if there are any. It had a great cast

I think some members of the cast were a bit wasted - Oliver Chris as Watzisname for example. Jennifer Saunders character is awful.

I loved it, it managed to stay magical even with all the changes. Dd thought it was great too.

I am put off by the modern books changing Dame Slap to Dame Snap and all that kind of thing. Worried the film would be so sanitised and 'modernised' that the spirit of the books would be lost.

Following thread to see if my instinct is correct.

I didn’t think I would like it, but was pleasantly surprised. But as other has said I wish there had been more time spent on the time in the tree and different lands. Far too much time was given to the family’s plot.

This is addressed in the film. There are quite a few knowing nods to the changes needed for today's audience.
It looked like the cast were enjoying themselves to me too.

It's tricky as a lot of people wouldn't want to see kids being slapped in a film now.

I see no Dick or Fanny in the character list. Who is Dame Snap? Why can’t she just be Dame Slap?

Yes, I thought they managed these aspects rather well.

But the point has always been that Dame Slap is a baddie. The original book didn't endorse her slapping the children, the exact opposite.

I could understand if the character had originally been positioned as a good teacher who slapped the children as a reasonable punishment - that sends the wrong message nowadays - but she's a villain, she's allowed in the context of the narrative to do unacceptable things.

Probably best for you to avoid it. Doesn't sound like you'd enjoy it

I'll probably wait for it to find its way to some TV channel I have access to, and watch it then, rather than risk disappointment at the cinema.

Dame Snap does mention she was called Dame Slap before in the film. Overall we enjoyed it but was slow start and my 5 year old got bit bored of family back story. Wish there had been more on magical lands.

As a child, these books were some of my favourites, so I'm thinking of taking my DC. I'm not sure about some of the changes though. I'm not interested in the parents' jobs - just take me to the Faraway Tree, please.

I enjoyed it, but also got a bit bored with the “family” plot - wanted much more of the tree and lands.

And needed someone to break the father’s guitar!

I enjoyed it as a child, read it to my children, bought it for my grandchildren. Luckily I am happy if they are at the cinema.

Does Silky become an action heroine at the end?

I liked it. It is very sweet and magical and the new back story landed well I thought. I also wanted more lands and less of the back story though.

The kids who were all read the books liked it for the nostalgia factor. But they didn’t love love it either.

The character actually refers to that - she says “I used to be Dame Slap until the school inspectors got involved”!

Ah, good to hear it acknowledged.

I suppose it's too much to hope that the children are still called Fanny, Bess and Dick, not Frannie, Beth and Rick as I saw in a modern edition?

A bit worrying. I cant remember the names of the kids. Definitely a Frannie in there though.