Spielberg Brings the Classic ‘The BFG’ to Screen

Beloved children’s author Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr. Fox) would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2016 and hence it’s a fitting tribute by Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg to bring one of Dahl’s classics ‘The BFG’ to the theatre.

Dahl’s adored classic “The BFG” and the idea of a live-action adaptation by three-time Academy Award winner Spielberg in collaboration with Disney make it one of the much-awaited films of 2016. “The BFG” [The Big Friendly Giant] tells the imaginative story of a little girl Sophie who one moonlight teams up with the Giant who introduces her to the adventurous world.

As far as the story is concerned, you may go ahead and read the book which is indeed exciting, magical, thrilling, and funny and represents Dahl’s unique style of storytelling. Interestingly, this is going to be Spielberg’s first live-action 3D movie and also his first collaboration with Disney. So, expect the magic of “The Adventures of Tintin” or even more.

Here is the first teaser trailer of “The BFG” on YouTube.

Genre: Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Based on “The BFG” by Roald Dahl
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Screenplay by Melissa Mathison
Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, and Bill Hader.
Release Date/Year: July 1, 2016, in the USA; July 22, 2016, in the UK

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While the 10-year-old British actress Ruby Barnhill plays Sophie, Mark Rylance will yet again work with Spielberg as the “The BFG” himself after the 2015 historical espionage thriller Bridge of Spies.” While Rylance has already left his mark alongside Tom Hanks and may even get a supporting actor nomination at the Oscars, he has a much bigger role in “The BFG.” 

“The BFG” Movie Synopsis

“The BFG,” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams. Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows, but Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all. [Courtesy: Walt Disney Pictures]

Special Note: “The BFG” is the final collaboration between Spielberg and the screenwriter late Melissa Mathison who worked together in E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. Melissa Mathison died at age 65 on Nov 4, 2015, from neuroendocrine cancer, but she has left a legacy behind with films like The Black Stallion (1979) and Kundun (1997). Apt to mention here that for E.T. she received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. May her soul rest in peace.

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Ruby Barnhill as Sophie in “The BFG”
Where to watch The BFG (2016)
This post is written, edited and published by the Cinecelluloid staff.

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