Original artwork, not a still
The pupils of Crunchem Hall, Matilda (1996)
Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!
— Matilda
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The chant is the moment the story turns. A room of children who fear the headmistress finally pick a side, and the shout rises from nervous mumbling to a roar. It stands for any crowd cheering on the one person brave enough to face the impossible, and it is what people shout at eating contests, marathon finishes and anyone facing a plate of something huge.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for MatildaShow the scene
The cake scene in Matilda (1996). Headmistress Miss Trunchbull accuses Bruce Bogtrotter, a pupil, of stealing her chocolate cake and makes him eat an enormous one on stage in front of the whole school. Bruce struggles, nearly gives up, and the other children start to shout his name to urge him on; Jimmy Karz plays Bruce. He finishes it, and Trunchbull smashes the platter and orders the whole assembly to stay five hours after school.
Sources (2)
- Matilda (1996) script, springfieldspringfieldAssembly sceneReference checked
- Bruce Bogtrotter, Roald Dahl WikiAppearances, Matilda filmReference checked
Context reviewed
