Pam Ferris As Trunchbull: A Masterclass in Villainy

[@TokenSelf]

The kids hugging Ferris after being mean to Trunchbull in a take is just the sweetest thing. Not to mention the emotional intelligence and empathy to understand that even "pretend" hurting someone can have an effect on them.

[@evanmak7837]

I think Pam Ferris actually tried to stay in character and scare them off screen (a common method for classically trained actors), but the kids never bought into it because she was such a sweet person irl.

[@hafirenggayuda]

​@@evanmak7837in some interview, she said she tried to do that at first but decided not to do it because, children.

[@trinaq]

I love how Pam Ferris plays really intimidating villains, such as The Trunchbull and Aunt Marge, yet she's a really caring woman in real life. Same goes for Imelda Staunton, who apparently loathed Umbridge as much as fans did.

[@Brainstrain]

It’s hard to be an evil wicked person and get acting gigs. At least at first, once you’re a name ppl put up with a lot.

[@GEMINIEARTHWALKER]

It was great seeing her play a caring and empathetic character in Children of Men.

[@jonathanloh1634]

​@@GEMINIEARTHWALKERas well at the queen

[@CLJlovesmal]

People really need to watch Finding Your Feet to see a different side of Imelda Staunton's acting range to help them not hate the actress. I've never understood this concept of hating the actor because you hate the character so much. But I also am an actor and can tell the difference. People realised I could act when I played characters completely opposite to who and what I am as a person. Thank God I was given a chance by my advisor/director.

[@SPAnComCat]

Sometimes there is a Soft, Kind, Caring, Tender side of someone [Actors] who Plays Cold, Hard, Tough-Exteriored Antagonistic Roles, there is more than it meets the Surface.☺

[@kingmj87]

DeVito’s a genuinely underrated director. That movie strikes a very difficult tone, has great pacing, and has great performances from virtually everyone in the film, including the child actors. The only knock I could ever have against it is the absurdity of DeVito narrating it like some loving grandfather while also playing the evil dad.

[@hodarinundu]

Maybe he was secretly afraid of being hated after that movie haha

[@COSun25]

I'd love to see what he would've directed after Matilda (1996).

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

His main reason of directing it is because it was for his kids!

[@georgesmith2199]

As a child i never noticed the differece between the voices. Could not believe when i found out when i was older.

[@BillyOnYouTube]

​@@georgesmith2199Same here

[@kleverkitsune4363]

"They're all mistakes, children. Glad I never was one." Is a line I quote quite often. She's amazing, and just her voice makes me nostalgic.

[@janaekelis]

makes her seem more like an embodiment of evil, than human

[@cami_smith]

​@@janaekelisYeah, like she never lived a life that would make her behave this way. She simply spawned in one day and was this person

[@AJ-gd6cy]

I read that Mara Wilson's mother was dying of cancer in real life, and Danny Devito was really supportive of her through that difficult time, and made sure her mother got to see an early recording of the movie in the hospital.❤️

[@SPAnComCat]

Oh my god... That is so Bittersweet...🥲

[@Tempestuous.Shadow]

Thank goodness Mara's still alive and well ❤ Edit: it was Mara Wilson's Mother, not Mara Wilson 😭 R.I.P

[@AJ-gd6cy]

​​​@@Tempestuous.ShadowWho? Mara Wilson, or her mother? Because her mother passed away, sadly. The movie Matilda was dedicated to her.

[@Tempestuous.Shadow]

@@AJ-gd6cy OH MY GOD I DIDN'T SEE 'MOTHER' ON THE COMMENT- I'm so sorry 😭 editing it rn

[@AJ-gd6cy]

@@Tempestuous.Shadow You're good lol.

[@MuhammadAhmad-oj6mf]

This performance should have been Oscar nominated

[@SPAnComCat]

Agreed!

[@pixarian]

I concur. I read the book, heard of the film coming out and was concerned if Trunchbull was going to be doable. Pam nailed it.

[@chayo4537]

Damn right 😂❤

[@calumsanderson6741]

same with Danny in Batman Returns Genre snubbery is def a thing in the Academy

[@justclassicglam]

Pam Ferris as Miss Trunchbull is her most iconic role by far. I cannot imagine anyone else doing Miss Trunchbull justice like Pam did!

[@movie-mandan]

Dame Emma Thompson tried in the Matilda Musical and was nowhere as good as Ferris

[@bessieburnet9816]

​@@movie-mandan Excuse me, Emma was spectacular and just as scary as Pan was.

[@shooby9496]

No that was an absolute one-of-a-kind character performance.

[@gelchert]

Bertie Carvel got pretty close in the West End and Broadway productions, but Ferris absolutely nailed this character.

[@brianmelnick1117]

She played the heck out of that role. Iconic.

[@segamai]

Matilda is, in my opinion, a perfect movie. The early tomid-nineties had an INCREDIBLE offering of that genre of genre-mixing movie that I miss so much. Death Becomes Her, To Wong Foo, Ms. Doubtfire, Jumanji, The Craft… they all in some way perfectly mixed camp, sincerity, and comedy, and I wish so much that Hollywood would go back to making these mid-budget movies.

[@damaracarpenter8316]

I've been thinking this exact thing lately. Idk if it's even possible anymore but I would LOVE for someone to try again.

[@piggypoo]

Man, this movie is a timeless masterpiece to me.

[@456loveluck]

Me too 😢❤😂

[@CynicalLlort]

The makeup artist is a genius, Pam Ferris is sensational as well.

[@pamelamays4186]

Pam Ferris is like Imelda Staunton. Mean on screen, a sweetheart off screen.

[@ydoomenaud]

Staunton's only flaw is Umbridge making Voldemort less frightening and I can't hold it against her

[@Silencer796]

@@ydoomenaudNah, she did good!

[@ExplorerDS6789]

Similar to Robert Helpmann in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

[@LiirThropp2687]

Even though she's the villain, Trunchbull is my favorite character in that movie. Pam just played her so well. Awesome performance.

[@sharon__a]

I love that you always read quotes from the actors and actresses in their accents

[@akpokemon]

only part that bothered me.

[@dickydoes]

Badly, unfortunately.

[@pastpatour]

The woman has the range, but Trunchbull will always be the role of her life. Like Patrick Stewart and Picard.

[@BloodylocksBathory]

To quote the meme, "She has the range, darling!!"

[@Crazyguy_123MC]

You know I honestly thought she could only play this type of character. But after showing her other roles you can really see that she is capable of playing the total opposite character as well. She has immense talent and her looks make her fit either role whether it be a loving old woman next door or a strict leader who doesn’t play around. She was absolutely perfect here.

[@jaimemunoz8513]

she honestly should've been nominated for an academy award for her performance as Ms. Trunchbull. She molded into character perfectly and delivered some of the most vile lines you can utter to a child in a PG movie lol.

[@EC2019]

"Shut your holes!" particularly stood out to me. I'm not sure how they got away with that one. I remember I and another person recoiling with a gasp upon hearing that line for the first time, being spoken to children, in a movie for children.

[@magnuskallas]

When I was a kid, barely knowing acting level English, I saw Matilda and Misery back to back... I sincerely thought there was continuity between the characters Agatha Trunchbull and Annie Wilkes.

[@jevinday]

Oh man, she used to scare the hell out of me in this film when I was a kid! Such a great performance

[@tomcross3000]

The actress who played cookie was still alive until 2015! she was 97.

[@CrypticCharm]

no one, and i mean no one. be it dancers, oscar-winning actresses have ever or will ever be able to top Pam Ferrris performance, and the best thing is. in real life she's such a sweetheart. everyone who worked with her on Darling Buds of May said she practically adopted them, all the children in Mathilda said how complementary she was to their performances, and helped them stay in character. and she plays villians so well. this performance is legendary for so many reasons

[@JaredGriffiths2000]

I love this movie! Pam Ferris did a great job playing Miss Trunchball, I think she's one of the greatest villains in all of children's media.

[@benmcreynolds8581]

Growing up in the 90's I fell in love with Roald Dahl's creations. Then Matilda came out and imo it's easily considered a masterpiece. It's amazing. So is James and the giant peach and I loved reading the BFG even tho I was such a stubborn unmotivated reader growing up.

[@GEMINIEARTHWALKER]

I was so excited when she played Harry's Aunt in Prisioner of Azkaban

[@aaronbrown7217]

As a child of the 90s I never noticed till now Pam Ferris was the actress behind 'Mrs White' in Cluedo and 'Ms Trunchball'. Blew me away.

[@francofan100]

Cluedo was controversial in the 90s as it starred Leslie Grantham (who killed someone in a botched robbery as a teenager) and it was advertised in the press with “he’s killed before, watch him kill again!”

[@adelaidefinch6197]

I remember realizing that Thyme from Rosemary and Thyme was Trunchbull… my little child brain blew!!! 😂😂😂

[@SquidFiction]

Yes, Rosemary & Thyme! There’d be little moments in the show where she’d get a certain look on her face or her voice would change slightly & I’d go “Thyme, your Trunchbull is showing!” 😂

[@adelaidefinch6197]

@@SquidFiction ha ha ha!!!

[@georgemather9082]

Absolute phenomenal actress.

[@Beautifullytragic6]

She played it SO well!

[@jeskvell3254]

this is actually my first time seeing the movie's bts. i am crying 😭

[@lovipoekimo176]

That chase/Hide and seek pursuit in Truncbull's house wasso tense!

[@ThomasWilliams89]

that scene absolutely terrified me when I was a little kid.

[@fadikhoory5350]

‘And I have character’ in my head as a kid, this translated to ‘I am a book character.’

[@gourdy6297]

This is the greatest movie ever bloody brilliant in every way

[@TheConorsmithusa]

The make up artist and pam shouldve won oscars

[@schubertuk]

I know many book purists rail against this adaption of Matlida - and (being British) I grew up devouring Roald Dahl, and that means you do create very specific personal visions of the characters and stories in your head which can make any film adaption troublesome. But I still think Danny Devito's adaption is a joyous romp that has really stood the test of time well - critically the children give really good performances (this could, and arguably should have killed the film - to rely on so many children!) - additionally the adult actors are at the top of their game, not a poor performance in sight. Massive credit is due to Danny Devito for this, not just for the casting - but clearly creating a fun and creative culture on set that got the best out of everybody. It is a comfort movie (one of a few) that I regularly revisit.

[@masterknife8423]

Let me guess they hate this adaptation because it takes place in America and not England? I grew up reading the book and the many things that are present in the book like Harry's shady car business and the family eating tea in front of the TV fit perfectly with the American setting.

[@EC2019]

​@@masterknife8423Well but also it altered the appearance and execution of several characters and added in some filler junk, the adoption ending was rushed in execution, DeVito's weird narration which was somehow not supposed to be the father, the wicked meanness of Trunchbull to Honey as regards money and her eventually escape through starving herself to save money being cut out etc etc. It wasn't really a Dahl story anymore. It was a DeVito story.

[@Havenwyck_Media]

Lovely. One my favorite movies.

[@TheArtFortress]

I love the impressions you do when quoting the cast, it really stands out from others who very well could've made this video instead. It's humorous but genuine at the same time.

[@dickydoes]

You’re not British, are you?

[@myragroenewegen5426]

I love the thought that the Trunchbull gravitated toward atheletics because she was a repressed lesbien and tragically emerged addicted to steroids with a terrible relationship to food. It really explains the person who would go on a tyrade against children and finnish it with "Glad I never was one." , without quite realizing what she unintentionally said and maybe also meant. The only thing this dosn't explain is how she ended up in teaching, when it only increases her stress. In the kind of literiture where there are such overblown good guys and bad guys, how can we believe at all this animal-like human monster? This actrice figured it out. Now I just want an entire sequil of the Trunchbull finally hitting rock bottom amidst delusions of her dead husband andwatch her go through tharapy and treatment. She'd emerge as this still unsettling, highly dependent wreck doing very well in something like curling, that involves intense weight-bearing exercise and yelling, but is still a supportive team sport. Or should she take up interpretive dance? Does she finnally come out and then talk about killing her first husband and abusing her child and have to come to terms with all that. Who was she before she was this school principal and who is she afterwards, if she goes on and gets more desperate than she is, or more authentically happy and in control? I'm facinated.

[@mikedimples]

"The only thing this dosn't explain is how she ended up in teaching, when it only increases her stress." Maybe she gravitated towards being a headmistress because of the power it gave her and the freedom to bully in a way she couldn't get away when it comes to adults. Maybe the bullying gives her an outlet for her rage. Otherwise she'd end up destroying her property?

[@ChrissaTodd]

@@mikedimples yeah i always say to myself when thinking of why she would still work with children despite hating them, and i came to the conclusion is she needs to be able to control children probably caused by all this rage she has.

[@myragroenewegen5426]

@@mikedimples Yeah, It's overblown like everything in this story, but that's true. That's how you get abusive people in most places that aren't well monitored. So then what happens? Maybe, with a violent nature and no home to go back to, Agatha Trunchbull, assuming she doesn't die, ends up in the medical facility of a prison, going through the most overblown withdrawl ever and later, considerably weaker and scruffier finds herself in a support group for violent people on-the-mend with a pathological fear of her own lesbien tendencies, children, and a ghost out there she believes may still hold a vendetta against her. Boy, if we make a rule that she won't die, hard to say what she'd become, particularly as her body might not be able to do much anymore. If she loses everything that makes her powerful, she really could be anyone under there, I don't think she has much self outside tormenting others, that can we tell. This is why it's so impressive to me that an actor can give her a story beyond "evil person be evil".

[@drewski1535]

Pam is such a sweetheart 💕

[@bravocado]

Man, I am so glad you are still making these types of videos. Great job, as usual.

[@Checkered_Demon00]

That makeup was incredible

[@nadiadansani2139]

One of my favorite movies ever

[@PonyStark69]

damn the DEEP dive from this, have got a whole new perspective on the amazing talent that goes into makeup and set design

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Ferris was arguably one of the most believable villains of all time. Classic performance.. just enough.

[@LolsAtLance]

Some Love and hype for Pam Ferris and I'm absolutely here for it!

[@IsaacWale2004]

Pam Ferris is a phenomenal actor and did this role perfectly.

[@d-parke5413]

I loved her role in this movie!! I recently saw her play Sister Evangelina in Call the Midwife and her character in that series is my absolute favorite 😊❤

[@GothGuy885]

i loved Pam Ferris in Darling Buds, Rosemary & Thyme, and Call the Midwife. this is quite a difference from those roles,and she was equally fabulous in this one as well! 😀👍

[@MartinAlexanderVideos]

One of the most iconic villains in film history, awesome video!

[@liamo7559]

I could watch this film twice a year, every yeah for the rest of my life, will never get bored of it!❤ Pam ferris did an amazing job.

[@spaceeyesg4272]

Kids are so pure and loving ❤ love how they were curious about her and were not afraid of her and wanted to get to know her even though she didn’t at first ❤

[@dolly2415]

Pam Ferris WAS The Trunchbull. She owned that role completely. As a child from the 90s I grew up watching Matilda. The scene with her chasing Matilda and Miss Honey through the house TERRIFIED me lol. I still always watch it if I catch it on the telly on the weekends. (Also, I'll have to watch that reunion video, that looks adorable and fun! 💜)

[@mrmusickhimself]

Danny DeVito: "So anyway, I started CASTIN'"

[@lady_icarus]

I was rewatching Matilda and just seeing her star power as an adult was amazing! I went down a rabbit hole looking up more about her performances and found this-love herrrrr!!! I’m late and more aware but nonetheless a fan of hers! 💜

[@notsorry3631]

One of the best movies of all time.

[@kimberlybeth]

I absolutely love actors/actresses who can give a theatrical performance in a movie ❤

[@ashphoenix9177]

One of the best villains created❤

[@ChaceEvans]

I remember reading this book in the 4th grade. Our teacher told us when finished we would get to watch the movie. Well I remember throughout the entire book I was racking my brain wondering how the heck any actor was going to be able to do justice in portraying the Trunchbull. I'm still impressed to this day that Pam Farris was able to exceed my crazy childhood expectations. It's such a shame she didn't receive some kind of academy award for this portrayal. A truly incredible actress.

[@jeskvell3254]

I love this movie sm that I memorized their lines. I used to watch this movie with my late grandma. I always cry when I hear the To the Library and Beyond plays. I love everyone here.

[@ulfberht4431]

Now all we need is a battle between Trunchbull and Umbridge! An unstoppable force meets and an immovable object! Brute Strength and rage against magic and madness!

[@robertadler4354]

Genius, simply genius.

[@pjwhite6829]

I adore Pam Ferris. She was in so many things from my childhood that I loved, including Matilda.

[@Keith_Rothwell]

Your work is delightful.

[@ohdannyboy4727]

that transformation is actually crazy. watching this video I am trippin. even in the witches the 90s one, and james and the giant peach. all the women that look like monsters are so well done. To me it is one of those perfect films I watched over and over as a kid.

[@Lee-At-Green-Pheonix-Rc]

I was so shocked when I found out Aunt Marge, Trunchabull and in Rosemary and Thyme are the same don't even look the same proof she get the job done and is an awesome actress

[@Djauntywanker]

Omg darling buds of may . I loved that show when I was a kid

[@denisedillinger1354]

At any time I randomly “yell water hold the newt” and “these things are a test of character and I have character”. Love my nostalgia ❤❤❤ thank you for this

[@seyeruoynepotsuj]

Nobody: The Back Focus: ... "CLOO-AY-DOH!"

[@DanAlderson-ko2of]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that.

[@joncunningham237]

Thank you!!

[@peteradaniel]

How can anybody not love Danny Devito?!

[@robstefani9853]

What an absolute gem of a woman!

[@motasimfaiyaz2974]

This video genuinely made me happy

[@Siege_Panda]

She reminds me of my favorite primary school teacher back home in Germany. Such a nice woman ❤

[@emokiller907]

What a great character and performance

[@SwaggaJonez1]

This role is considered LEGENDARY to this day

[@MushroomHat]

Pam Ferris is also so perfect in Call The Midwife. I’ve never been sadder about a character death than hers.

[@fluffysharkdatazz9460]

As a young child,about 6, she was my favorite character, and when I turned around 15-17 sometime around there I watched it again and she was the only character I remembered, and that says a lot because Danny is usually the only thing I remember from movies I watched that young, but forgot he was Mathilda’s father!

[@SpellboundWolf]

I'm currently 36 1/2 & I'm still terrified of her. What an amazing film this is. 1996 was a fantastic year for female protag movies for children.

[@mickiamajor8110]

Pam Ferris played Miss Trunchbull so well. I hated her when I was younger 😂 I still love Matilda to this day 💜 One of my favorite movies 💜

[@GabrielsLogic]

I feared Ms trench bull as a child and still do when watching. She was incredible

[@hlgrmdr9556]

Give her the Oscar!!

[@faerefolke]

She scared the shit out of me. Fantastic acting.

[@danielmkubacki]

Great moive! Pam Ferris was great as Miss Agatha Trunchbull.

[@MarypairyYT]

thank you for making one of the best youtube videos ever

[@Lexyvil]

Miss Trunchbull stole every scene she was in. Pam was phenomenal in the role.

[@ryanmpfeiffer]

Love this movie. I wish Devito would direct again!

[@AnOldYoungPerson]

It was so surreal when I watched Call the Midwife a few years later, after Matilda came out. I was a little bit starstuck!! She has such a brilliant, range and performs each role shes given superbly!

[@flyleelee5351]

She played the hell outta that role!

[@Blocparty01]

Miss Trunchbull genuinely scared me when i was a kid. Showed how much of a good job she did.

[@smokejc]

These videos are always so captivating.

[@vaeItaja]

10:01 OMG the subtitles🤣

[@TheSMPStudios]

Danny just wants to be pure!!!

[@JaceD4V1S88]

THE BEST AND ONLY TRUNCHBULL

[@Sultans-World]

You're an amazing narrater and I love your research.

[@Lowco5]

This is one of those movies that, when i catch it on TV i just have to stay and watch, thanks in no small part to Pam Ferris. It also has an amazing latinamerican dub wich is immensly important for children to enjoy it down here.

[@miabahons1953]

Me Trunchbull scared me when I was a kid and she still scares me and I'm 43. V good actress. One of my fave movies ever. Credit to Danny DeVito, cast and crew. A timeless classic. "Grow up quicker" "The Choky" @Too good for children" (eating candy)

[@Brainstrain]

One of your best episodes yet, Hardesty! Thoughtful, great clips, great flow, always great pictures to match your words. (Except when you said principal and show a sign that said headmaster, maybe that was an intentional Whoopie.)

[@bezoticallyyours83]

She sounds like a fun loving and gracious lady irl

[@kozad86]

I loved her character.

[@Metalmanz3]

Thanks ass for making me have childhood trama remembering The Witches right before going to sleep and before I have therapy tomorrow

[@trickyplays240]

This is what you call an actor! Her other roles and then playing Trunchbull, I wouldn’t have guessed. Hollywood step it up

[@nazarene5461]

she also played the aunt on harry potter and the prisoner of Azkaban also