Based on The Magic Faraway Tree collection of books by popular children’s author Enid Blyton, the feature film -- currently in theaters -- is filled with fun, family, and fantasy.
Blyton wrote more than 700 books.
“Her books connect with kids in a way that seems to transcend the generations,” says producer Pippa Harris in press materials for the film. “In most of her books, the kids are on their own in some way, shape or form.
"That’s attractive to kids, the idea that you can be autonomous and go off and create your own imaginative worlds and have adventures. It’s about that idea of exploring the world on your own terms.”
The book series began in 1939 and has been a favorite for generations of readers.
“For a book that’s coming up to 100 years old, it’s extraordinary how many people there still are for whom it’s their favorite book, including kids today,” notes Danny Perkins, another of the adaptation’s producers.
The movie (ticket info here) is a modernization of the story from the books. It follows the basic plot, but the characters differ in their appearances from what the author described. Ultimately, it's a reimagining of Enid Blyton’s books.
To update the story, technology has been added. The Internet and mobile phones were not around when the books were penned, so this is one addition that definitely differs from the original stories.
Loyal fans of the books have been disappointed in the way some of the characters look in the film. They are as they are described on the page, and their characteristics, besides their appearances, are a little different.
While some fans of the books were disappointed with the film, it performed great at the U.K. box office. Many kids today have not read the books so this interpretation of them is their first look into the magical world.
From Australian Catholics.com:
The film stays faithful to the detail of Enid Blyton’s Enchanted Wood series, and provides an adventure tale that captures the spirit of childhood enjoyment. The stories it covers are unnatural, but the movie provides whimsical distraction that slots amiably into youthful enjoyment.
The film aims for, and achieves, positive family appeal, and engages in adult viewing of childhood imagination that wins over adult logic. Through all the whimsy, the film provides a highly creative film adaptation of Blyton’s original work.
And, as one user on Facebook noted, “I went today if you don’t try to compare it to the book, it’s a lovely film and captures lots of things I remember fondly.”
Tim (Andrew Garfield) and Polly (Claire Foy) Thompson relocate their family from the city to the country, where Tim grew up. He believes this change will be a positive one for them all.
They move into a dilapidated barn with their morose teenage daughter Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy), who is always on her phone; son Joe (Phoenix Laroche) who is addicted to video games and virtual reality; and quiet, imaginative youngest daughter Fran (Billie Gadsdon).
After receiving an unexplained invitation, Fran wanders into the woods, where she encounters a large tree. Through a series of magical events, she enters a fantastical world filled with all kinds of people and wondrous elements. The tree is home to not only these people, but also to different lands where the most magical things are possible.
Later, all the children return to the tree where they enter the Land of Birthdays, a forever party where everyone gets a wish that will come true. What’s that old adage? Oh yes. Be careful what you wish for.
They quickly learn they were fine just the way they were.
The film has some visually stunning scenes. It is filled with colorful and magical people and objects. While there is the tiniest element of danger when the kids are captured, it is basically a sweet and kind story of one family that found its way to being a true and loving family unit.
There are some scenes that are reminiscent of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, as well as a nod to The Wizard of Oz. And there is one scene with a lot of flatulence. Otherwise, it is a simple, fantasy film that, at its heart, is not the magic tree, but the magic of childhood, parental love and concern, and family togetherness.
The film aims for, and achieves, positive family appeal, and engages in adult viewing of childhood imagination that wins over adult logic. Through all the whimsy, the film provides a highly creative film adaptation of Blyton’s original work.
This is an impressive fantasy series that actively fosters childhood involvement that has adult, family appeal. The movie itself modernises Blyton’s books. Dark events and surprising twists abound, but good children survive them all with the help of loving, positive parents.
The Magic Faraway Tree also takes a balanced view of technology, a thing that worries many modern parents.
From PluggedIn.com:
The unhealthy obsession the Thompson kids have with their devices is clearly portrayed as an issue, and one that’s causing them to be disconnected from the beauty of the world around them. However, tech is not demonized: As part of their renovations for the new house, Tim and Polly still add electrical outlets and a Wi-Fi router, but they criticize excessive use of technology and encourage their kids to pursue other interests.
While there is no specific Christian references mentioned within The Magic Faraway Tree, parents can easily point to one theme in the film which emphasizes, although insecurities arise with age, being confident and content with the way God made you is the best route.
CatholicTimesColumbus.org also finds parallels in the film to the Eucharistic Feast:
One of the sweetest parts of “The Magic Faraway Tree” is at the end when the Thompson family has their pasta sauce launch festival.
The entire town, some of Beth’s friends from the city, and somehow a world-renowned pasta sauce distributor come to try out Tim’s creation, and they are not disappointed.
The sauce is a hit. There are many scenes of people laughing, dancing, and enjoying each other’s company while eating their noodles with sauce.
The sight of a community gathering to celebrate a meal, built on someone laying down their life to achieve a goal, immediately brought my mind to the Liturgy of the Eucharist in the Mass.
It was just announced there will be two more films in this franchise.
From ScreenDaily.com:
“We’re trying to work out if it makes sense to shoot two and three [of The Magic Faraway Tree series] together,” said Neal Street’s Pippa Harris, who is now in production on Sony’s four The Beatles films.
“Currently, shooting four films at once, the idea of two doesn’t frighten me.”
The producers are eyeing a 2027 shoot. ”The quicker we can get going, the better,” said Harris. “The kids are such a crucial part of the film’s success, and you don’t want to wait for five years, and all your children have grown up, and are sulky teenagers.”
The movie is the 2026 winner of the British National Film Awards for Best Comedy - Film & TV. It is rated PG for some rude humor, mild action, and brief language.
Image: Vertical
Francine Brokaw is a longtime journalist whose articles have been published in national and international publications. She is accredited by the MPAA and is a long-standing member of the Television Critics Association.
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