Miss Potter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Miss Potter |
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UK theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Chris Noonan |
| Produced by | David Kirschner |
| Written by | Richard Maltby Jr. |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Nigel Westlake |
| Cinematography | Andrew Dunn |
| Editing by | Robin Sales |
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| Distributed by | United Kingdom Momentum Pictures United States Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer The Weinstein Company |
| Release date(s) | 3 December 2006 (London) 5 January 2007 (United Kingdom) 9 March 2007 (United States) |
| Running time | 93 minutes |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $30 million |
| Money made | $35.9 million |
Miss Potter is a 2006 biographical drama film that tells the story of Beatrix Potter. She was a famous children's author and illustrator. The movie mixes parts of her real life with fun animated scenes. These animated parts feature characters from her books, like Peter Rabbit.
The film stars Renée Zellweger as Beatrix Potter. Ewan McGregor plays Norman Warne, her publisher and fiancé. Lloyd Owen plays William Heelis, a lawyer. Emily Watson is also in the movie as Norman's sister, Millie. The movie was filmed in several beautiful places, including the Isle of Man, Scotland, and the Lake District.
Miss Potter was first released in the United States on December 29, 2006. This early release allowed the film to be considered for the 2007 Academy Awards. The movie received mostly good reviews. Renée Zellweger was even nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role.
Contents
Story of Miss Potter
The movie starts with Beatrix Potter getting ready to show her artwork. She explains that she is a single woman from London. Her dream of becoming a children's author was not something many people approved of.
Beatrix and her chaperone, Miss Wiggin, visit a publishing company called Harold and Fruing Warne. The brothers decide to publish her book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Beatrix is very excited. She celebrates by taking a drive through the parks. However, the Warne brothers actually thought her book was silly. They only agreed to publish it because they promised their younger brother, Norman, a project.
Beatrix and Norman's Partnership
When Norman Warne visits Beatrix, they work together on her book. They decide on its size, colors, and price. Norman admits he has never done this before, but he has thought a lot about her book. Beatrix realizes the Warne brothers didn't take her seriously. But she and Norman become determined to prove them wrong.
Norman takes Beatrix to the printer. Her drawings are copied, and her books start to sell. Beatrix and Norman visit his family. There, Beatrix meets Norman's mother, Mrs. Warne, and his sister, Millie. Millie quickly decides she and Beatrix will be friends. She is happy that Beatrix is also single, as Millie believes men are boring. The Warne family becomes friendly with Beatrix. However, Beatrix's mother, Helen Potter, who cares a lot about social status, is not happy. She doesn't like her daughter spending time with people from a "trade" background.
Success and a Proposal
When Beatrix returns home, she and her mother argue about Beatrix not wanting to marry. Beatrix reminds her mother about her book. Her mother still thinks the book will fail. But the book becomes very successful! Copies are displayed in many store windows. Norman encourages Beatrix to write more stories. Even Beatrix's father, Rupert, buys a copy of The Tale of Two Bad Mice. He heard his friends at his club were buying them.
Because of her success and her father's support, Beatrix invites Norman and Millie to her family's Christmas party. Everyone has a good time. Beatrix shows Norman a story she is writing just for him, called "The Rabbits' Christmas Party." She also shows him her studio where she writes and draws. During the party, Norman bravely asks Beatrix to marry him. Beatrix's mother interrupts before Beatrix can answer.
Beatrix tells Millie about Norman's proposal. Millie encourages her to say yes. Beatrix then tells the other guests about her stories. They are delighted and amused. Mrs. Potter, however, still doesn't understand what the fuss is about. As the guests leave, Beatrix quietly tells Norman she will marry him. He is overjoyed.
Family Disapproval and a New Plan
Norman visits Rupert Potter to ask for his permission to marry Beatrix. Mr. Potter quickly dismisses him. At the Potter home, Beatrix and her parents argue about her decision to marry Norman. Beatrix is firm. Mrs. Potter says no Potter can marry someone in "trade." But Beatrix reminds her that her own grandfathers were tradesmen. When Mrs. Potter threatens to stop giving her money, Beatrix says she can live on her own with her book earnings. She also points out that her brother, Bertram, married a wine merchant's daughter and was not disowned. Beatrix tells her father she wants to be loved, not just marry for money.
Beatrix checks with the bank about her book earnings. She wonders if she could buy a house in the countryside someday. She is amazed to learn that her book sales have made her rich enough to buy several large properties! When she returns home, her parents make a deal. They suggest Beatrix keep her engagement to Norman a secret. She should go on holiday with them to the Lake District for the summer. If she still wants to marry him at the end of the summer, they promise not to object. Beatrix agrees, sure she won't change her mind. She tells her parents to prepare for an October wedding.
Tragedy and a New Beginning
Norman and Beatrix say goodbye at the train station. They write many letters while they are apart. Then, one day, a letter arrives from Millie. It says that Norman is very ill. Beatrix travels back to London, only to find that Norman has died. Overcome with sadness, Beatrix stays in her room. She tries to draw, but her characters disappear from the page. Millie comes to visit and comfort her. Beatrix decides she must leave the house.
Beatrix buys a farm in the beautiful Lake District. She moves there to continue her work. She hires a farmhand to help run the farm. She finds comfort in her new surroundings. With the help of her lawyer, William Heelis, she buys many other farms and land in the area. She does this to protect nature from developers. The movie explains that eight years after moving to the Lake District, Beatrix marries William. Her mother still doesn't approve. The land Beatrix bought eventually becomes part of the Lake District National Park in North West England.
Cast
- Renée Zellweger as Beatrix Potter
- Lucy Boynton as Young Beatrix
- Ewan McGregor as Norman Warne
- Emily Watson as Millie Warne
- Barbara Flynn as Helen Potter
- Bill Paterson as Rupert Potter
- Lloyd Owen as William Heelis
- Justin McDonald as Young William
- Anton Lesser as Harold Warne
- David Bamber as Fruing Warne
- Phyllida Law as Mrs. Louisa Warne
- Judith Barker as Hilda
- Matyelok Gibbs as Miss Wiggin
- Lynn Farleigh as Lady Sybil
- John Woodvine as Sir Nigel
- Jane How as Lady Armitage
- Geoffrey Beevers as Mr. Copperthwaite
- Clare Clifford as Mrs. Haddon-Bell
- Richard Mulholland as Ashton Clifford
Songs
- When You Taught Me How to Dance - Performed by Katie Melua
- Let Me Teach You How to Dance - Performed by Ewan McGregor
See also
In Spanish: Miss Potter para niños
