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Films inspired by Roald Dahl works that’ll take you through a world of unimaginable possibilities

Films inspired by Roald Dahl works that’ll take you through a world of unimaginable possibilities
Shilpa S

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British author Roald Dahl is often credited for redefining literary works for children. His works, which even many adults enjoy, have opened readers to some of the most magical and even spooky worlds the human imagination could ever conjure up. His stories take the reader through a rollercoaster of emotions, with themes ranging from dark and macabre, to comical and slapstick, to even warm and tear-jerking. The immense popularity of his works that holds even today, decades after his death, is a true testimony to his undeniable legacy as a writer. His works have sparked the interest and intrigue of filmmakers as well, who have tried to capture the brilliant author’s works, leading to some memorable depictions on the silver screen.

Here are a few contemporary adaptations of Roald Dahl’s works which offer a sneak peek into the dazzling imagination of the late author.

1

The Witches

5.3
Move over Disney princesses, this Anne Hathaway starrer is all set to make every little girls' dream about being an all-powerful witch. Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, The Witches tells the story of a young boy and his grandmother who face off against a coven of evil witches who are hatching a plan to turn all children into mice with a potion. A visual treat, with magical performances by a stellar cast, The Witches is bound to bewitch the viewer even without the use of spells and black magic.

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2

Matilda

7.4
Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, Matilda probably made every young viewer who watched it try to unlock their latent telekinetic abilities to imitate the charming young titular protagonist. Directed by fan favourite Hollywood actor Danny DeVito, the film chronicles the life of young Matilda, a child genius born into a shallow and crass family, all of whom are too cold to understand the quiet young girl. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that she has amazing otherworldly abilities, which she uses to face off against her cruel headmistress. The adaptation, true to the book, earned the admiration of fans across the globe, as well as critics.

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3

The BFG

6
The charming tale of an unlikely friendship of literally, gigantic proportions, the BFG is adapted from the Roald Dahl novel of the same name. This fantasy adventure revolves around the story of a young orphan girl, who cross paths with an amiable old giant and goes to an extraordinary new world inhabited by enormous beings like him. There, the duo takes it upon themselves to stop the man-eating inhabitants, who have their eyes set on making a meal of humans. With top-tier CGI that brings to life Dahl’s characters just as he would have probably imagined them, the BFG is not only visually stunning but also includes incredible performances by the cast that make it a must-watch.

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4

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

6.7
Helmed by none other than Tim Burton himself, this wacky musical fantasy tells the tale of five children who win a contest and enter into a chocolate factory to experience the making of the world's best chocolates and meet its elusive owner. Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory supplements its quirky thrill ride with a rich variety of visuals and musical numbers that will get your fingers snapping to its catchy tune.

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5

Fantastic Mr. Fox

8.2
From the mind of the unconventionally brilliant Wes Anderson, this stop motion animated feature is regarded as one of the best onscreen adaptations of Roald Dahl’s works. The film tells the story of a light-fingered fox, who after vowing to leave behind a life of petty thievery, falls back to old habits and lands in big trouble. This critically acclaimed comedy features some of the best Hollywood talents including George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe and Owen Wilson. The Academy Award-nominated film is rife with moments that’ll make you roar with laughter at one moment, and empathise with the characters at another.

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