# The BFG

> 2016 film by Steven Spielberg

**Wikidata**: [Q19689203](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19689203)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_BFG_(2016_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-bfg

## Summary
The BFG is a 2016 fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on Roald Dahl's 1982 novel of the same name. The film tells the story of a young orphan girl named Sophie who befriends a benevolent giant known as the Big Friendly Giant (BFG). It was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and released as a family-oriented adaptation of Dahl's beloved children's book.

## Key Facts
- The BFG is a 2016 film directed by Steven Spielberg
- Based on Roald Dahl's 1982 novel "The BFG"
- Genre classifications include adventure film, family film, fantasy film, and teen film
- Produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Reliance Entertainment, Walden Media, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, DreamWorks, and Touchstone Pictures
- Released on July 1, 2016 in the United States
- Runtime of 117 minutes (1 hour 57 minutes)
- Budget of $140 million
- Box office gross of $183,186,796 worldwide
- IMDb ID: tt3691740
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%
- Metacritic score: 66/100
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 41 language editions
- Wikidata description: "2016 film by Steven Spielberg"

## FAQs
**What is The BFG about?**
The BFG follows the story of Sophie, a young orphan girl who encounters the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) in the middle of the night. Instead of eating her like other giants, the BFG takes her to Giant Country where they develop a friendship. Together, they work to stop the man-eating giants from terrorizing the human world.

**Who directed The BFG and what is its source material?**
The BFG was directed by Steven Spielberg and is based on the 1982 children's book of the same name by British author Roald Dahl. The screenplay was written by Melissa Mathison, who previously collaborated with Spielberg on "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial."

**What companies were involved in producing The BFG?**
The BFG was produced by multiple companies including Walt Disney Pictures (as the primary distributor), Amblin Entertainment (Spielberg's production company), Reliance Entertainment, Walden Media, The Kennedy/Marshall Company, DreamWorks, and Touchstone Pictures. This collaboration brought together major Hollywood studios and production houses.

**When and where was The BFG released?**
The BFG had its world premiere at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2016, and was released in the United States on July 1, 2016. It was distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and released in various countries throughout July and August 2016.

## Why It Matters
The BFG represents a significant collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Walt Disney Pictures, marking Spielberg's first film with Disney. The project brought together two giants of family entertainment - Spielberg's masterful storytelling and Disney's global distribution network - to adapt one of Roald Dahl's most cherished children's books. The film's production showcased advanced visual effects technology to bring the fantastical world of giants to life, with Mark Rylance's motion-capture performance as the BFG receiving particular acclaim. Despite mixed box office performance, the film has become a beloved family classic that introduces new generations to Dahl's imaginative storytelling and Spielberg's cinematic magic.

## Notable For
- Steven Spielberg's first collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures
- Mark Rylance's motion-capture performance as the BFG, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor that same year
- Advanced visual effects that brought the giant characters to life
- Being one of the last screenplays written by Melissa Mathison before her death
- Faithful adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's novel
- Featuring a diverse international cast including British, American, and Australian actors
- Incorporating Dahl's unique language and wordplay, including the BFG's distinctive vocabulary

## Body
### Production and Development
The BFG was developed as a passion project for Steven Spielberg, who had been interested in adapting Roald Dahl's novel since the 1990s. The screenplay was written by Melissa Mathison, marking her final work before her death in November 2015. The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures in collaboration with Amblin Entertainment, marking Spielberg's first project with Disney after decades of working with other studios. Principal photography began in March 2015 and wrapped in August 2015, with filming taking place in various locations including London, Vancouver, and the United Kingdom.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Mark Rylance as the Big Friendly Giant, delivering a motion-capture performance that brought the gentle giant to life. Ruby Barnhill plays Sophie, the young orphan girl who befriends the BFG. The cast also includes Penelope Wilton as Queen Elizabeth II, Jemaine Clement as Fleshlumpeater (the leader of the man-eating giants), Rebecca Hall as Mary, and Rafe Spall as Mr. Tibbs. The casting choices brought together established actors with newcomers, creating a balanced ensemble that served the story's mix of fantasy and reality.

### Visual Effects and Technology
The BFG required extensive visual effects work to create the world of giants and bring the BFG character to life. Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) handled the visual effects, using advanced motion-capture technology to translate Mark Rylance's performance into the giant character. The film's visual effects team had to create a believable scale difference between the giants and human characters, as well as design the fantastical landscapes of Giant Country. The technology allowed for nuanced facial expressions and physical movements that made the BFG feel like a living, breathing character rather than a computer-generated creation.

### Music and Sound Design
The musical score for The BFG was composed by John Williams, marking his twenty-seventh collaboration with Steven Spielberg. Williams' score captures the wonder and adventure of the story while incorporating whimsical elements that reflect the BFG's unique personality. The sound design team worked to create distinctive audio for the giants, including the BFG's unique way of speaking and the various sounds of Giant Country. The film's sound work helped establish the scale and otherworldliness of the giant characters while maintaining the intimate relationship between Sophie and the BFG.

### Release and Reception
The BFG premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival on May 14, 2016, where it received a four-minute standing ovation. The film was released in the United States on July 1, 2016, and in various international markets throughout July and August. While the film received generally positive reviews from critics, praising Spielberg's direction and the visual effects, it underperformed at the box office, grossing $183 million worldwide against a $140 million budget. The film's marketing campaign emphasized its family-friendly nature and the collaboration between Spielberg and Disney.

### Genre Classification
The BFG is classified under multiple genre categories that reflect its broad appeal. As an adventure film, it follows the journey of Sophie and the BFG as they work to stop the man-eating giants. The family film classification indicates its suitability for audiences of all ages, with content appropriate for children while maintaining enough depth for adult viewers. The fantasy film designation reflects its imaginative world-building and supernatural elements. The teen film classification suggests its appeal to adolescent audiences who can relate to themes of friendship and standing up against bullies.

### Distribution and Marketing
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures handled the global distribution of The BFG. The marketing campaign emphasized the film's connection to Roald Dahl's beloved book, Spielberg's involvement, and its family-friendly appeal. Disney leveraged its extensive marketing network to promote the film across various platforms, including television, digital media, and theme park attractions. The film's release was strategically timed for the summer movie season, targeting family audiences during school vacation periods.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
Despite its box office performance, The BFG has maintained a lasting cultural impact as a faithful adaptation of Roald Dahl's work. The film introduced new generations to Dahl's imaginative storytelling and unique characters. Mark Rylance's portrayal of the BFG has become iconic, with his gentle giant character embodying themes of kindness and courage. The film's visual effects work has been recognized for advancing motion-capture technology in family entertainment. The BFG continues to be broadcast on television and streaming platforms, maintaining its presence in family entertainment.

### Related Works and Adaptations
The BFG is part of a long tradition of Roald Dahl adaptations, joining other film versions of his works such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Matilda," and "Fantastic Mr. Fox." The 2016 film represents the second major adaptation of the story, following a 1989 animated television version. The film's success has contributed to ongoing interest in Dahl's works and their potential for adaptation, with studios continuing to explore ways to bring his imaginative stories to new audiences through various media formats.

## References

1. Steven Spielberg to Direct Roald Dahl Adaptation 'BFG' (Exclusive)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3691740/)
3. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film859120.html)
4. [Source](http://www.tomatazos.com/peliculas/38119/El-Buen-Amigo-Gigante)
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8. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-197814/)
9. DreamWorks Is Still Buying — Picks Up Roald Dahl's ‘BFG’ (Exclusive)
10. The BFG Press Kit
11. The BFG Project Profile
12. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-bfg)
13. Mark Rylance To Play ‘The BFG’ In Roald Dahl Adaptation By Steven Spielberg
14. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3691740/fullcredits)
15. Steven Spielberg Casts 10-Year-Old Ruby Barnhill as Lead in ‘The BFG’
16. Steven Spielberg Takes First Directing Turn With Walt Disney Studios
17. Letterboxd
18. The Movie Database
19. The BFG. Rotten Tomatoes
20. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3691740/releaseinfo/)
21. [Kinopolis](http://www.mathaeser.de/mm/film/42454000012PLXMQDD.php)
22. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3691740/releaseinfo)
23. 'Mi amigo el gigante': Amistad y fantasía en el tráiler final en español de lo último de Spielberg
24. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3691740/releaseinfo)
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28. [Source](https://twitter.com/LeDoctor/status/609555970574815232/)
29. 2016 Cannes Film Festival Announces Lineup, Including New Films From Steven Spielberg, Jodie Foster and Many More
30. [Source](http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/actualites/videos/the-bfg-by-steven-spielberg-1)
31. The witching hour arrives in The BFG teaser trailer
32. ‘The BFG’ Trailer: Steven Spielberg Brings a Classic to Life
33. Source
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35. [Source](http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/the-bfg)
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38. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/bfg-2016)
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40. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=259473)
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43. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2016&s_month=7&e_year=2016&e_month=7&pageID=2)
44. film distribution certificate
45. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3691740/parentalguide/#certificates)
46. [Source](http://justica.gov.br/noticias/classificacao-indicativa-9)
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