# Miss Potter > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Miss_Potter > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Miss_Potter.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter > Source revision: 1354978535 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 2006 film by Chris Noonan Miss Potter UK theatrical release poster Directed by Chris Noonan Written by Richard Maltby Jr. Produced by Mike Medavoy David Kirschner Corey Sienega Arnold W. Messer David Thwaites Starring Renée Zellweger Lloyd Owen Ewan McGregor Bill Paterson Emily Watson Cinematography Andrew Dunn Edited by Robin Sales Music by Nigel Westlake Production companies Phoenix Pictures UK Film Council BBC Films Grosvenor Park Media Isle of Man Film Distributed by Momentum Pictures (United Kingdom) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer The Weinstein Company (United States) Summit Entertainment (International)[1] Release dates 3 December 2006 (2006-12-03) (London) 5 January 2007 (2007-01-05) (United Kingdom) 9 March 2007 (2007-03-09) (United States) Running time 93 minutes Countries United Kingdom United States Language English Budget $30 million[2] Box office $35.8 million[2] ***Miss Potter*** is a 2006 [biographical](/source/Biographical_film) [drama film](/source/Drama_(film_and_television)) directed by [Chris Noonan](/source/Chris_Noonan). It is based on the life of children's author and illustrator [Beatrix Potter](/source/Beatrix_Potter), and combines stories from her own life with animated sequences featuring characters from her stories, such as [Peter Rabbit](/source/Peter_Rabbit). Scripted by [Richard Maltby Jr.](/source/Richard_Maltby_Jr.), the director of the [Tony Award](/source/Tony_Award)-winning Broadway revue, *[Fosse](/source/Fosse_(musical))*, the film stars [Renée Zellweger](/source/Ren%C3%A9e_Zellweger) in the title role, [Ewan McGregor](/source/Ewan_McGregor) as her publisher and fiancé, [Norman Warne](/source/Norman_Warne), and [Lloyd Owen](/source/Lloyd_Owen) as solicitor William Heelis. [Emily Watson](/source/Emily_Watson) stars as Warne's sister, Millie. [Lucy Boynton](/source/Lucy_Boynton) also stars as the young Beatrix Potter and [Justin McDonald](/source/Justin_McDonald) appears as the young William Heelis. It was filmed in London ([St Peter's Square (Hammersmith)](/source/St_Peter's_Square%2C_Hammersmith), [Cecil Court](/source/Cecil_Court) (Westminster), [Osterley Park](/source/Osterley_Park) and [Covent Garden](/source/Covent_Garden)), the [Isle of Man](/source/Isle_of_Man), Scotland and the [Lake District](/source/Lake_District). *Miss Potter* received a [limited release](/source/Limited_release) in the United States on 29 December 2006 so that the film could compete for the [2007 Academy Awards](/source/79th_Academy_Awards). The film was intended to be released generally on 12 January 2007, but *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))* reported that [The Weinstein Company](/source/The_Weinstein_Company) had decided to push a wider release date until after the [Academy Awards](/source/Academy_Awards) on 25 February 2007.[3] The date seemed to fluctuate a number of times, but the Weinstein Company website ultimately listed its release date as 9 March. The film received positive reviews from critics, with praise directed towards Zellweger's performance, and grossed over $35.8 million worldwide. Zellweger was nominated for the [Saturn Award for Best Actress](/source/Saturn_Award_for_Best_Actress) and the [Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical](/source/Golden_Globe_Award_for_Best_Actress_%E2%80%93_Motion_Picture_Comedy_or_Musical). ## Plot *London 1902* : [Beatrix Potter](/source/Beatrix_Potter) and her [chaperone](/source/Chaperone_(social)), Miss Wiggin, visit the publishing house of [Harold and Fruing Warne](/source/Frederick_Warne_%26_Co.), who decide to publish her book *[The Tale of Peter Rabbit](/source/The_Tale_of_Peter_Rabbit)*. While Beatrix is thrilled, the Warnes privately think the book is ridiculous and only agree to publish it because they promised their younger brother, [Norman](/source/Norman_Warne), a project. Norman and Beatrix meet, and realise they share a vision for her work. As production of the book begins, Norman introduces Beatrix to his mother, and his unmarried sister, Millie, who befriends Beatrix. Tensions rise in the Potter household, as Beatrix's social-climbing mother, Helen, is unhappy about her daughter spending time in the company of tradesmen, and believes that the venture will fail. However, sales are very successful, and Norman encourages Beatrix to submit other stories for publication. Eventually, Beatrix's father, Rupert, voices his support of Beatrix's career, after hearing about the popularity of her books from his friends at the [Reform Club](/source/Reform_Club). Encouraged, Beatrix invites Norman and Millie to her family's Christmas party. Beatrix tells a story she is writing especially for Norman, "The Rabbits' Christmas Party", giving him a painting from the story as a present. Finally unchaperoned, Norman proposes to Beatrix, and she happily accepts. Beatrix's parents disapprove of the match, but she stands firm, reminding her mother that both her grandfathers were tradesmen. Beatrix learns that not only can she survive on her own with her books, but that she is now a wealthy woman from her royalties. Her parents eventually suggest that Beatrix and Norman keep their engagement secret over summer, and promise that they can marry if their feelings remain unchanged after that. The Potters holiday in the Lake District, and Beatrix and Norman maintain a regular correspondence. After a few days without a letter from Norman, Millie writes, saying that he is ill. Beatrix returns to London only to find that Norman has already died. Grieving, she shuts herself up in her room; she turns to her drawing, but discovers that her characters disappear off the page. Millie visits to comfort her, and Beatrix decides she must leave the family home. She buys a farm in the Lake District and moves there to resume her work. She hires a farmhand to run the farm and finds comfort in her surroundings. Millie visits, returning the painting of The Rabbits' Christmas Party. With the help of her solicitor, William Heelis, Beatrix outbids developers at auctions and buys many other farms and land in the area to prevent them being built on. *[Epilogue](/source/Epilogue)* : Despite her mother's disapproval, Beatrix married William Heelis eight years after moving to the Lake District. Beatrix donated 4,000 acres (16.2 km2; 6.3 sq mi) of farmland she had purchased to the British people through a [land preservation trust](/source/Land_trust), which now forms part of the [Lake District National Park](/source/Lake_District_National_Park) in [North West England](/source/North_West_England). Her stories became the best-selling children's books of all time. ## Cast - [Renée Zellweger](/source/Ren%C3%A9e_Zellweger) as [Beatrix Potter](/source/Beatrix_Potter) - [Lucy Boynton](/source/Lucy_Boynton) as Young Beatrix - [Ewan McGregor](/source/Ewan_McGregor) as [Norman Warne](/source/Norman_Warne) - [Bill Paterson](/source/Bill_Paterson_(actor)) as Rupert Potter - [Barbara Flynn](/source/Barbara_Flynn) as Helen Potter - [Lloyd Owen](/source/Lloyd_Owen) as William Heelis - [Justin McDonald](/source/Justin_McDonald) as Young Heelis - [Emily Watson](/source/Emily_Watson) as Millie Warne - [Matyelok Gibbs](/source/Matyelok_Gibbs) as Miss Wiggin - [Anton Lesser](/source/Anton_Lesser) as Harold Warne - [David Bamber](/source/David_Bamber) as Fruing Warne - [Phyllida Law](/source/Phyllida_Law) as Mrs. Louisa Warne - [Judith Barker](/source/Judith_Barker) as Hilda - [Lynn Farleigh](/source/Lynn_Farleigh) as Lady Sybil - [John Woodvine](/source/John_Woodvine) as Sir Nigel - [Jane How](/source/Jane_How) as Lady Armitage - [Geoffrey Beevers](/source/Geoffrey_Beevers) as Mr. Copperthwaite - [Clare Clifford](/source/Clare_Clifford) as Mrs. Haddon-Bell - Richard Mulholland as Ashton Clifford ## Production The film was director Chris Noonan's first in 10 years (since he made [*Babe*](/source/Babe_(film))), having waited for many years until he finally found a script that inspired him. [Cate Blanchett](/source/Cate_Blanchett), who originally suggested Noonan for the role of director, was at one point set to star in the film but apologetically left the project when one of her other films was green-lit before this one.[4] Zellweger ended up becoming an executive producer on the film because she was dissatisfied with the script and wanted to get more involved.[5] The film was first brought to Ewan McGregor's attention by Zellweger, who had kept in contact with him after collaborating on *[Down with Love](/source/Down_with_Love).*[6] McGregor described the film as having a somewhat similar appeal as that film, and noted that he was familiar with Beatrix Potter's stories, which he read to his children.[6] To prepare for the role, McGregor studied photographs of Norman Warne and visited the modern-day Warne publishing house.[7] Zellweger read actual letters between Beatrix Potter and Norman Warne and Millie to prepare for the role, but had difficulty with the accent, which she said was very different from [Bridget Jones](/source/Bridget_Jones)'.[7] As there were no records of Beatrix Potter's speaking voice, they had to guess; ultimately the voice was softened so as not to irritate contemporary audiences with the tight, high voice a woman of Beatrix Potter's standing at that time may have had.[8] Zellweger said that she had read a few of Beatrix Potter's stories growing up, but that she had never known anything about the woman herself.[9] Noonan said that when growing up he had never read Beatrix Potter's stories, and that, "I was aware of her because of all that crockery with her characters on it."[9] The film used animated versions of Beatrix Potter's characters and illustrations, which were composited into the live-action shots. According to Chris Knott (who had previously worked on *[Who Framed Roger Rabbit](/source/Who_Framed_Roger_Rabbit)*), [VFX](/source/VFX) supervisor on the film for [Passion Pictures](/source/Passion_Pictures), they were given access to collections of Potter's original work to help them recreate it for the animations.[10] Noonan said that it was hard to find anyone who still did [cel animation](/source/Cel_animation), but did end up finding such a person in Alyson Hamilton, who already had a great deal of appreciation for Potter's work.[11] Costumes for the film were designed by Academy Award winner [Anthony Powell](/source/Anthony_Powell_(designer)). The score for the film was composed by [Nigel Westlake](/source/Nigel_Westlake) (who had previously worked with Noonan on *Babe*) although [Rachel Portman](/source/Rachel_Portman) was brought in to record some of the music for the Lake District scenes. Westlake was asked by Noonan during filming to come up with a [waltz](/source/Waltz)-like tune for some of their lyrics, and, with the collaboration of [Mike Batt](/source/Mike_Batt) and [Katie Melua](/source/Katie_Melua), this same song was also turned into a pop song used in the end credits of the film.[12] ## Reception The film received positive reviews. As of June 2020[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miss_Potter&action=edit), the film holds a 68% approval rating on review aggregator [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes), based on 130 reviews with an average rating of 6.22 out of 10. The critics' consensus is that it is a "charming biopic that maintains its sweetness even in sadder moments."[13] ## Songs - "When You Taught Me How to Dance" - Performed by [Katie Melua](/source/Katie_Melua) - "Let Me Teach You How to Dance" - Performed by Ewan McGregor ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Miss Potter (2007)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170302201758/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8bb7031a). *[British Film Institute](/source/British_Film_Institute)*. Archived from [the original](https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8bb7031a) on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2021. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NUM_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NUM_2-1) ["Miss Potter"](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Miss-Potter). *[The Numbers](/source/The_Numbers_(website))*. Nash Information Services, LLC. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230603191051/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Miss-Potter) from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["TWC moves 'Potter' after Oscars"](https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/twc-moves-potter-after-oscars-1117958440/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. 31 January 2007. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080417082207/https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117958440.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1) from the original on 17 April 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Fischer, Paul (11 December 2006). ["Exclusive Interview: Chris Noonan for "Miss Potter""](https://web.archive.org/web/20061217172735/http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/noonan.php). Dark Horizons. Archived from [the original](http://www.darkhorizons.com/news06/noonan.php) on 17 December 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Passafuime2_5-0)** Passafuime, Rocco. ["Renee Zellweger Interview"](http://www.thecinemasource.com/celebrity/interviews/Renee-Zellweger-Miss-Zellweger-interview-424-500.html). The Cinema Source. Retrieved 16 December 2008.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Passafuime_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Passafuime_6-1) Passafuime, Rocco. ["Ewan Mcgregor Interview"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080611170439/http://www.thecinemasource.com/celebrity/interviews/Ewan-Mcgregor-Me-and-Ewan-and-Everyone-We-Know-interview-423-0.html). The Cinema Source. Archived from [the original](http://www.thecinemasource.com/celebrity/interviews/Ewan-Mcgregor-Me-and-Ewan-and-Everyone-We-Know-interview-423-0.html) on 11 June 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_7-1) Carnevale, Rob. ["Miss Potter – Ewan McGregor interview"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080327210535/http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/miss-potter-ewan-mcgregor-interview). *IndieLondon.co.uk*. Archived from [the original](http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/miss-potter-ewan-mcgregor-interview) on 27 March 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Miss Potter: Renee Zellweger Interviewed"](http://www.50connect.co.uk/entertainment/film/film_news/miss_potter_renee_zellweger_interviewed). Fifty Connect. Retrieved 16 December 2008.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Balfour_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Balfour_9-1) Balfour, Brad (2 January 2007). ["MISS POTTER Press Conference interviews with Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Emily Watson, and Director Chris Noonan"](http://www.blackfilm.com/20061229/features/misspotterconference.shtml). blackfilm.com. Retrieved 16 December 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Dunlop, Renee (30 January 2007). ["Miss Potter: Drawing on the Imagination of Beatrix"](http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=3924). CGSociety. Retrieved 24 November 2008.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Anderson, Jeffrey M. (5 January 2007). ["Interview: 'Miss Potter' Director Chris Noonan"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070509145934/http://www.cinematical.com/2007/01/05/interview-miss-potter-director-chris-noonan/). *Cinematical.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.cinematical.com/2007/01/05/interview-miss-potter-director-chris-noonan/) on 9 May 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Paterson, Jim (4 January 2007). ["Nigel Westlake – an Interview"](http://www.mfiles.co.uk/composers/Nigel-Westlake-interview-2007-01.htm). *Mfiles.co.uk*. Retrieved 16 December 2008. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-rt_13-0)** ["Miss Potter"](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/miss_potter). *[Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)*. Retrieved 25 March 2025. ## External links - [*Miss Potter*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0482546/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [*Miss Potter*](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/miss_potter) at [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes) - [*Miss Potter*](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=misspotter.htm) at [Box Office Mojo](/source/Box_Office_Mojo) - [*Miss Potter* production blog](http://misspottermovie.typepad.com/) at TypePad v t e Chris Noonan Films Stepping Out (1980) Babe (1995) Miss Potter (2006) Television Cass (1978) The Cowra Breakout (1984) The Riddle of the Stinson (1987) Vietnam (1987) Police State (1989) v t e Works by David Kirschner Films produced Child's Play (1988) Child's Play 2 (1990) Once Upon a Forest (1993) Cats Don't Dance (1997) Bride of Chucky (1998) Titan A.E. (2000) Frailty (2001) Secondhand Lions (2003) Seed of Chucky (2004) Thru the Moebius Strip (2005) Curious George (2006) Miss Potter (2006) Martian Child (2007) Curse of Chucky (2013) Kristy (2014) Cult of Chucky (2017) Films written Rose Petal Place (1984–85, two TV shorts) An American Tail (1986) Poochinski (1990, TV pilot) The Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story (1990, TV film) An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991, creator) Hocus Pocus (1993, also produced) The Pagemaster (1994, also produced) Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) TV series created Gravedale High (1990) Wake, Rattle, and Roll (1990–91) The Pirates of Dark Water (1991–93) Fievel's American Tails (1992) Franchises created Rose Petal Place An American Tail The Pirates of Dark Water Hocus Pocus The Pagemaster v t e Beatrix Potter The Tales The Tale of Peter Rabbit The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin The Tailor of Gloucester The Tale of Benjamin Bunny The Tale of Two Bad Mice The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher The Story of a Fierce Bad Rabbit The Story of Miss Moppet The Tale of Tom Kitten The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies The Tale of Ginger and Pickles The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes The Tale of Mr. Tod The Tale of Pigling Bland Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes The Tale of Little Pig Robinson Other books The Fairy Caravan The Sly Old Cat The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots Characters Peter Rabbit Tabitha Twitchit Adaptations The Tales of Beatrix Potter The Tailor of Gloucester The Tale of Little Pig Robinson The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends The Adventures of Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny Peter Rabbit (television series) Peter Rabbit (film) Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway Locations Beatrix Potter Gallery Hill Top Near and Far Sawrey Dalguise Armitt Library Moss Eccles Tarn Related Beswick Pottery Miss Potter Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse Frederick Warne & Co. Norman Warne Hardwicke Rawnsley Authority control databases National Czech Republic Other MusicBrainz release group --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Miss Potter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_Potter?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.