Into Film Resource Pack

Mary and the Witch’s Flower

Talk about it before the film

What stories do you know which have magic in them? What sort of things do you expect to see in a film that contains magic?

Parent Help Notes:

As well as children’s stories, folk tales, novels, TV shows and more, suitable films for this audience with magic include the Harry Potter franchise, The BFG, The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, Coraline, Peter Pan, James and the Giant Peach, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and other Studio Ghibli titles including Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Spirited Away.

Magical tropes include witches and wizards, spells, potions, transformations, broomsticks, cats and more.

Discussion points after the film:

1. Why do you think Mary was frustrated in the countryside? What sort of things did she do to try and be helpful, or to relieve her boredom?

2. What were the headmistress and scientist doing to the creatures in the school? Why do you think Mary went back to save Peter? How was her Great-Aunt Charlotte able to help her?

3. What was your favourite part of Mary’s adventures? What words would you use to describe them? What sort of things did she learn on her journey?

Parent Help Notes:

1. Mary felt bored and isolated in the countryside, as many young protagonists of children’s films do (including Alice in Wonderland and Coraline). Not only did she have little to do, but there was no-one close by for her to play with. Peter is the only child of a similar age nearby, but he wasn’t nice to Mary, teasing her about her red hair. In an effort to be helpful, Mary attempted to assist with chores around the house or by accompanying her Great-Aunt Charlotte places, but something would always go wrong. Either she wasn’t needed, the tools wouldn’t work or she didn’t quite fit the task. As a result, she is led by her curiosity into the woods and subsequently into the magical world.

2. Though Mary was initially enchanted by her surroundings upon touring the school, she soon begins to understand that all is not what it seems. The school’s headmistress, Madam Mumblechook, and its scientist, Doctor Dee, were performing experiments on animals and humans to turn them into other objects or beings. Mary realises that magic can be dangerous if not treated with care, and learns that Peter is in trouble. Though he often behaved badly around Mary, she feels guilty because of her actions – believing herself to be responsible for his kidnapping – and is determined to make amends by saving him, even if it means putting herself at risk to do so. Her Great-Aunt Charlotte helps by contacting her through a magic mirror, telling Mary about her past, the history of the school and how the two are linked. Into Film Resource Pack

3. Students may find different parts of her journey exciting, from her adventures chasing the cats through the woods to her magical broomstick transporting her to a new land, and then the many rooms and creatures within the school itself. Mary learns many things through the story; she begins to like things about herself (such as her red hair) which she didn’t previously, she develops the courage to stand up to the headmistress and save Peter; and learns to appreciate her quiet life back home, even if it isn’t quite as exciting as the magical world!

Write about it

Write a mini-review of the film you watched of 140 characters or less.

Are you an Into Film member? If so, bring your ideas together in a longer review and share it on our Into Film clubs’ website. You could include a summary of the story, mention other films that it’s similar to, describe what you particularly liked or disliked and give it your star rating.

This pack is taken from the Into Film Resource pack for this film. https://intofilm.org