Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

Year: 2013

Runtime: 125 min

Language: English

Director: John Lee Hancock

BiographyDramaHistoryComedyMusicFamily

Walt Disney makes a promise to his daughters to adapt their favorite book, Mary Poppins, into a film. However, fulfilling that promise proves challenging as he encounters P.L. Travers, the novel’s fiercely protective author. A lengthy and complex negotiation ensues, marked by a clash of creative visions and personalities, as Travers insists on preserving the heart and magic of her beloved character. The film explores the unexpected bond that develops between the two as Disney strives to bring Mary Poppins to the big screen.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Saving Mr. Banks yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

Trace every key event in Saving Mr. Banks (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Financial Struggles Lead to a Journey

In 1961 London, author Pamela 'P.L.' Travers is facing financial difficulties. Reluctantly, she agrees to travel to Los Angeles at the insistence of her agent, Diarmuid Russell, to meet Walt Disney regarding her beloved Mary Poppins stories.

1961 London
2

Meeting Walt Disney

Travers finally meets Walt Disney, who has been pursuing the film rights to her stories for two decades. His motivation is driven by his daughters' desire to see the character of Mary Poppins come to life on screen.

Los Angeles
3

Childhood Flashbacks

Through poignant flashbacks set in 1906, Travers' childhood in Allora, Queensland, is revealed. These memories highlight her bond with her father, Travers Robert Goff, who struggles with alcoholism, showcasing how deeply they influence her writing.

1906 Allora, Queensland
4

Arrival in Los Angeles

Upon her arrival in Los Angeles, Travers is struck by the city's superficial charm and the overly friendly nature of its residents. Her limo driver, Ralph, exemplifies this friendliness, adding to her discomfort in the unfamiliar environment.

Los Angeles
5

Working at Disney Studios

Travers begins her work at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank with a creative team, including screenwriter Don DaGradi and music composers Richard and Robert Sherman. However, she quickly finds herself irritated by their laid-back approach to adapting her stories.

Walt Disney Studios, Burbank
6

Resistance to Creative Changes

Throughout the collaboration, Travers insists that Mary Poppins must avoid sentimentality, baffling Disney and his team. Her heightening frustration leads her to leave a development session in tears due to the team's interpretation of George Banks.

7

Conflict Over Character Representation

Travers struggles with the portrayal of George Banks, believing the character misrepresents her father, who faced ridicule due to alcoholism. The creative team's interpretation of the character as a ruthless banker causes Travers intense emotional distress.

8

Budding Friendship with Ralph

Despite her frustrations, Travers begins to form a friendship with Ralph, her driver, and starts to soften towards the team as they make adjustments to George Banks’ character. This connection leads her to re-engage with her imagination.

9

Opposition to Animated Sequences

Travers discovers that the film will include animated segments, which she vehemently opposes. This revelation leads her to confront Disney, declaring that she will not relinquish the film rights, and she returns to London in anger.

Los Angeles
10

Disney's Determined Visit

After learning more about Travers' true identity and past, Disney travels to London to seek her collaboration again. His visit includes sharing his own childhood struggles and the therapeutic potential of storytelling, which helps soften her resolve.

London
11

Travers Grants Film Rights

Through a heartfelt conversation, Travers is persuaded to grant Disney the rights to Mary Poppins. This moment marks a significant turning point in their relationship, allowing Travers to confront her past and embrace her creation.

12

Premiere Preparations

Fast forward to 1964, as preparations for the premiere of Mary Poppins are underway at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Disney chooses not to invite Travers, fearing her reaction to the film's adaptation of her work.

1964 Grauman's Chinese Theatre
13

Travers Crashes the Premiere

Encouraged by her agent, Travers travels to Los Angeles and crashes Disney's office to secure an invitation to the premiere. As she watches the film, she initially reacts poorly to the animated sequences but is gradually touched by George Banks’ redemption.

Los Angeles
14

Reflection on a Personal Journey

As the film concludes, Travers is deeply moved by the portrayal of George Banks, reflecting on her own past. This moment of connection signifies a significant emotional development for Travers in relation to her stories.

15

Final Touches in the Credits

The film ends with a recorded session featuring Travers, the Sherman Brothers, and DaGradi, encapsulating the essence of Travers' journey throughout the creative process. This serves as a poignant reminder of her influence on the film.

Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 20:30

Unlock the Full Story of Saving Mr. Banks

Don't stop at just watching — explore Saving Mr. Banks in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Saving Mr. Banks is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Saving Mr. Banks Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Saving Mr. Banks, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Saving Mr. Banks Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Saving Mr. Banks

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Saving Mr. Banks. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Saving Mr. Banks

More About Saving Mr. Banks

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Saving Mr. Banks: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Saving Mr. Banks

Similar Movies to Saving Mr. Banks

Discover movies like Saving Mr. Banks that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.