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Mary and Martha

Mary and Martha

Two mothers lose their sons to malaria.

20136.31h 30m

Overview

Wealthy American housewife Mary Morgan takes her bullied son George out of school for home education,including a trip to Southern Africa. Whilst in Mozambique George is bitten by a mosquito which crawls through a hole in his net and dies of malaria. After his funeral at home Mary feels a compulsion to return to Africa where she meets English woman Martha O'Connell,whose 24 year old son Ben, a teacher with voluntary service overseas,has also died of malaria. Ben gave his net to one of his pupils,believing adults cannot catch malaria. The two women are shocked to see the high death rate caused by the disease and,whilst Martha stays in Africa as a voluntary helper,Mary petitions the American government to change things. Martha turns up at Mary's house unannounced and,helped by Mary's ex-diplomat father,they address a senate committee on health spending,persuading them to do more to combat malaria. They meet with some success though a coda states that much more can be done.

Directed by Phillip Noyce
Written by Richard Curtis
Produced by Hilary Bevan Jones, Lisa Bruce
0

Top Cast

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank

Mary

Brenda Blethyn

Brenda Blethyn

Martha

Sam Claflin

Sam Claflin

Ben

Frank Grillo

Frank Grillo

Peter

James Woods

James Woods

Mary's Father

Adam Neill

Adam Neill

Teacher

Stephen Jennings

Stephen Jennings

Principal

Chandler McIntyre

Chandler McIntyre

Hannah

Stephanie Faracy

Stephanie Faracy

Head of Committee

Melissa Ponzio

Melissa Ponzio

Alice

Themes & Keywords

parent child relationshipmalaria

About Mary and Martha

Mary and Martha is a drama, tv movie film released in 2013 exploring themes of parent child relationship, malaria. Directed by Phillip Noyce, it stars Hilary Swank, Brenda Blethyn, Sam Claflin. Wealthy American housewife Mary Morgan takes her bullied son George out of school for home education,including a trip to Southern Africa. Whilst in Mozambique George is bitten by a mosquito which crawls through a hole in his net and dies of malaria. After his funeral at home Mary feels a compulsion to return to Africa where she meets English woman Martha O'Connell,whose 24 year old son Ben, a teacher with voluntary service overseas,has also died of malaria. Ben gave his net to one of his pupils,believing adults cannot catch malaria. The two women are shocked to see the high death rate caused by the disease and,whilst Martha stays in Africa as a voluntary helper,Mary petitions the American government to change things. Martha turns up at Mary's house unannounced and,helped by Mary's ex-diplomat father,they address a senate committee on health spending,persuading them to do more to combat malaria. They meet with some success though a coda states that much more can be done.

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