The Emma Thompson Collection Trivia Quiz

Answer: Screenplay writer

Emma wrote the adaptation from Jane Austen's original novel, and received the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay as her reward. Kate Winslet played the role of her sister, Marianne, with Emma taking the role of Elinor. The film also featured Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman, and was directed by Ang Lee.

The producer was Lindsay Doran and the editing was carried out by Tim Sqyres, the director's long standing editor.

Answer: Sybill Trelawney

Sybill Trelawney was the Professor of Divination, and Emma portrayed her in three of the films in the 'Harry Potter' series - 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' (2004), 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' (2007) and 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2' (2011). Trelawney was the the character who prophesied the birth of Voldemort's rival, leading to the latter's attempt to kill Harry.

She was eventually dismissed by Dolores Umbridge, but allowed to stay at Hogwart's when Dumbledore intervened. Professor Sprout was portrayed by Miriam Margolyes and Minerva McGonall was, of course, played by Dame Maggie Smith. Poppy Pomfrey wasn't a teacher at all, but the matron of the hospital, which was regularly called into use following the various injuries suffered by pupils. Gemma Jones acted the role in the films.

Answer: The Remains of the Day

The film came out in 1993 and was an adaptation of the novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro. It told the story of the unspoken love between the head butler of a household, named Stevens, and the housekeeper, Sarah (Sally) Kenton. With the leading roles being played by Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, the film was successful and was nominated for several Academy awards, although it won none. Emma played the title role of Dora Carrington in 'Carrington' (1995) and was Margaret Schlegel in 'Howards End' (1992).

She played Lady Marchmain in the 2008 film version of 'Brideshead Revisited'.

Answer: Agent O

The third 'Men in Black' film had Agent J, played by Will Smith, travelling back in time to 1969 to prevent the assassination of his colleague, Agent K. The present day Agent K was portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, with Josh Brolin as his younger self. Emma played the role of Agent O, the new head of the organisation, with Alice Eve portraying the same character in 1969. Agent O showed J the memorial statue to K, and explained that he had been killed in 1969, prompting J to go back to change the past, despite her warning him to leave matters as they are.

Answer: Alan Rickman

'Love Actually' was a romantic comedy written and directed by Richard Curtis, who also created 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' (1994) and 'Notting Hill' (1997). The film told several stories about seemingly unconnected groups of people, although by the end we discover that many of the stories were linked. Emma played the part of Karen, married to Harry (Alan Rickman), who had fallen for his secretary. Karen discovered a gift Harry had bought, assuming it was for her, but realised the truth when she did not receive it. Hugh Grant played her brother, David, a very unlikely Prime Minister. Colin Firth portrayed a writer named Jamie, and Bill Nighy was the rock star, Billy Mack. Alan Rickman had already appeared with Emma in 'Sense and Sensibility', as well as in the 'Harry Potter' films, where he played a memorable Professor Snape.

His many other credits include the villainous Hans Gruber in 'Die Hard' (1988) and his scene stealing acting as the Sheriff of Nottingham in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' (1991).

Answer: Much Ado About Nothing

The film was adapted from the original play by Kenneth Branagh who also directed it and starred in the role of Benedick. Emma played Beatrice, Benedick's sparring partner and eventual wife. Benedick and Beatrice spent much of the film (and play) hating each other, but were manipulated into declaring their love for each other by their friends.

The film had an additional sprinkling of Hollywood talent, with Denzel Washington, Keanu Reeves and Robert Sean Leonard all making appearances. 'The Taming of the Shrew' has been filmed on more than one occasion, with the 1967 version starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton probably being the best known.

The 1996 version of 'Twelfth Night' starred Helena Bonham Carter and Ben Kingsley and 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' had not been filmed by the end of the twentieth century.

Answer: McPhee

This was another film scripted by Emma, who starred in the title role as a nanny to the seven children of Cedric Brown, played by Colin Firth. The script was an adaptation of the 'Nurse Matilda' books written by Christianna Brand. Nanny McPhee appeared initially as an ugly, repulsive woman, but her looks improved as the children gradually learned to love and respect her. Eventually, the widowed father married again (not to the nanny - that would be stretching the rom-com too far), and Nanny McPhee was transformed into a beautiful woman.

A sequel, called 'Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang' ('Nanny McPhee Returns' in North America) was released in 2010, with Emma repeating her role.

Answer: Stephen Fry

The film was a case of art imitating life, as it was about a group of friends who had met at university re-uniting 10 years later. Many of the actors had met while at university themselves, and the film was another directed (and produced) by Kenneth Branagh. Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry had established a comedy partnership in various shows, and Laurie went on to success in America, notably in the television series 'House', which ran from 2004 until 2012. Stephen Fry appeared in many other films, including playing Oscar Wilde in 'Wilde' (1997) and Mycroft Holmes in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' (2011).

Answer: Lawyer

The film told the true story of the group of Irish people who became known in the UK as the 'Guildford Four'. They were convicted of being the IRA bombers who blew up a pub in Guildford, which killed five people. The film starred Daniel Day-Lewis as Gerry Conlon and Pete Postlethwaite as his father, Guiseppe. Emma played Gareth Peirce (real first name Jean), the crusading lawyer who proved the innocence of the group, who had spent over 15 years in prison. Guiseppe Conlon, along with his sister and others, had been separately convicted of helping with the bombing (a group known as the 'Maguire Seven'), and died in prison.

Answer: P. L. Travers

The film told the story of Walt Disney's attempts to persuade the reluctant author to allow him to film her book 'Mary Poppins'. Through flashbacks, the author relived her childhood with her alcoholic father, played by Will Ferrell, on whom she had based the character of Mr. Banks in her story. Eventually, Disney (Tom Hanks) persuaded her to allow him to make the film (as you probably remember). Travers apparently hated the finished product so much that she refused to allow Disney to work on any more of her Mary Poppins stories.