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Mary and Martha

Mary and Martha

Two mothers lose their sons to malaria.
Mar 01, 20131h 30minUS
6.4
79 votes

Synopsis

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.

TitleMary and Martha
RealesedMar 01, 2013
WriterRichard Curtis
DirectorPhillip Noyce
CountrySouth Africa
CompaniesBBC
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
Simone White

Simone White

Tracy
Dominika Jablonska

Dominika Jablonska

Pilates Teacher
Thembekile Mthembu

Thembekile Mthembu

Orphan Girl
Thembeka Mthembu

Thembeka Mthembu

Orphan Girl
Elaine Nalee

Elaine Nalee

Senator's Secretary
Bea Miller

Bea Miller

Funeral Singer
Zethu Dlomo-Mphahlele

Zethu Dlomo-Mphahlele

Patience
Peter Jurasik

Peter Jurasik

Pastor
Roelof Du Toit

Roelof Du Toit

Red Haired Rugby Player
Katleho Ramaphakela

Katleho Ramaphakela

South African Doctor
Kagiso Lediga

Kagiso Lediga

Kumi
Mary and Martha
Mary and Martha
Mary and Martha
Mary and Martha