Emma Thompson Film Selection Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dead Again

The 1991 romance thriller "Dead Again" was directed by Kenneth Branagh and starred himself along with his then wife Emma Thompson in the lead roles. Branagh modelled the film on Alfred Hitchcock-style movies. Although filmed in colour, the scenes from the past were shown in black-and-white.

This was to minimise audience confusion as several of the 'modern day' characters appeared in these 'past' scenes. A pair of scissors was the murder weapon and the half-mask also appeared in the film.

Answer: Much Ado About Nothing

Emma Thompson's husband at the time, Kenneth Branagh, was known for his Shakespearean works. The two film adaptations in which Emma Thompson starred were "Henry V" (1989) and "Much Ado About Nothing" (1993). In "Much Ado About Nothing" she was the strong-willed Beatrice who sparked off the witty but arrogant Benedick (portrayed by Branagh).

They eventually became paired. The main focus revolved around Claudio and Hero's proposed wedding and the machinations of Don John.

Answer: Howards End

An adaptation of E. M. Forster's 1910 novel "Howards End", Emma Thompson portrayed Margaret Schlegel in this romantic drama set in Britain during the early 1900s. The plot revolved around the interaction between three very different families in Edwardian Britain. Emma Thompson's Oscar was one of three won by the film out of nine Academy Award nominations received.

Answer: The Remains of the Day

Japanese-British novelist Sir Kazuo Ishiguro was the author of the novel "The Remains of The Day", which was adapted in the 1993 film of the same name. Emma Thompson portrayed the housekeeper Miss Keeton opposite Anthony Hopkin's butler James Stevens. The story centred around Stevens' exclusive dedication to his profession. The film received much critical acclaim although no awards were received from eight Academy Award nominations.

The other titles given were also novels by Kazuo Ishiguro and have been adapted for film. Only "The Remains of the Day" was a Booker Prize winner although "Never Let Me Go" was a runner-up.

Answer: In the Name of the Father

Another film with multiple Academy Award nominations, it was based on the 1990 autobiography of Gerry Conlon, one of the Guildford Four. The 1974 bombings of two public houses in Guildford known to be frequented by British Army personnel led to the imprisonment of the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven (who were accused of providing the bomb-making material).

The convictions were subsequently overturned due to confessions being obtained under torture and for suppression of evidence clearing the Guildford Four. At one point in the film Emma Thompson as Peirce held up a note in court similar to the one in the image. Patrick "Giuseppe" Conlon, Gerry's father, died in prison.

Answer: Sybill Trelawney

In more of a character acting role, Emma Thompson portrayed the Divination Professor Sybill Trelawney in three of the "Harry Potter" films. Behind thick-lensed glasses and mass of hair, she had a relatively minor part in the series. She was prone to predicting the demise of students, whether it was through reading tea leaves or from using a crystal ball.

Answer: Nanny McPhee

Emma Thompson both wrote the screenplay and took the lead role in the 2005 fantasy comedy film "Nanny McPhee" and its 2010 sequel "Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang". Based on the Nurse Matilda character created by British writer Christianna Brand, a widower's seven young children had driven off 17 nannies through their misbehaviour and practical jokes.

Then Nanny McPhee and her magical stick arrived.

Answer: Cruella

The 2021 crime comedy-drama "Cruella" was based around and provided a backstory to the 1956 novel "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" by Dodie Smith. Emma Thompson's role was that of the authoritarian and egotistic head of a fashion house. Estella Miller (Emma Stone) got her break at the fashion house through a drunken episode. Estella Miller morphed into Cruella de Vil as a result of her clashes with the Baroness.

Answer: Saving Mr. Banks

The author in question was P. L. Travers who wrote the "Mary Poppins" series of books published between 1934 and 1988. The 2013 film "Saving Mr. Banks" told the story of Walt Disney's pursuit of Travers for the film rights, after promising his children to make the film.

In the course of the film we learn of her childhood during which she lost her father. Disney eventually realised that the estranged father character Mr. Banks was modelled on Travers' father. Travers was eventually persuaded and the 1964 film "Mary Poppins" was the result.

Answer: Men in Black

Emma Thompson appeared as Agent O in the 2012 sci-fi action film "Men in Black 3". She succeeded Zed as head of MIB. She also appeared as Agent O in the 2019 sequel "Men in Black: International". The role of MIB was to manage the local alien population whilst dealing with alien criminals, which most of the world's human population were completely unaware of.

The memory wipe device shown in the image was an essential part of their equipment.