Saving Mr. Banks

In the early‑1960s Hollywood glitters with ambition, and the Disney studios in Burbank hum with the restless energy of creators chasing the next big wonder. Across the globe, a reclusive British‑Australian author carries the weight of a beloved childhood series that has never left the page. The film world’s relentless optimism meets her guarded reverence, setting a stage where imagination and memory tug at each other beneath a veneer of polite civility.

Walt Disney arrives with a promise whispered to his own daughters—a commitment to turn the magical nanny into a living picture. He is charming, relentless, and utterly convinced that the spell of his studio can coax the heart of the story into a new form. Yet his optimism collides with the practicalities of a studio that balances whimsy with commercial expectation, and his genial approach masks a fierce determination to honor the memory of his promise.

P. L. Travers steps into that polished world with a shield forged from years of protecting the integrity of her creation. A sharp mind and vivid recollections of a childhood shaped by an eccentric father and a steadfast nanny fuel her resistance to anything she feels might dilute the essence of her work. As negotiations unfold, the clash of creative visions gradually gives way to an unexpected, tentative friendship, hinting that the very act of collaboration might reveal new layers of both the story and the people behind it.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 05:59