Mary and Martha

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.

Trailer

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Cast and crew

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  Hilary SwankMary

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  Brenda BlethynMartha

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  Sam ClaflinBen

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  Frank GrilloPeter

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  James WoodsMary's Father

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  Adam NeillTeacher

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  Stephen JenningsPrincipal

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  Chandler McIntyreHannah

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  Stephanie FaracyHead of Committee

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  Melissa PonzioAlice

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  Dominika JablonskaPilates Teacher

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  Thembekile MthembuOrphan Girl

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  Thembeka MthembuOrphan Girl

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  Elaine NaleeSenator's Secretary

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  Bea MillerFuneral Singer

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  Zethu Dlomo-MphahlelePatience

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  Peter JurasikPastor

• R

  Roelof Du ToitRed Haired Rugby Player

Director

Phillip Noyce

Writer

Richard Curtis

Cinematography

Roberto De Angelis