Deliberate mistake: When the Trunchbull is drinking from the glass with the newt in it, you can easily see that she doesn't actually drink anything, as the water level stays exactly the same. Logical, as the newt is real, but it's still very obvious because she drinks for about 15 seconds. (00:46:55)
Matilda (1996)
1 deliberate mistake - chronological order
Directed by: Danny DeVito
Starring: Danny DeVito, Embeth Davidtz, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson
Factual error: It is stated that Miss Trunchbull competed in the Olympics in shot put, javelin, and hammer throw. According to her jersey those were the 1972 Olympics. The hammer throw wasn't added as an Olympic event for women until 2000.
Million $ Sticky Host: For those idiots out there who don't know how to play, here's how it goes. For each correct answer, they'll move one step closer to our Cube of Cash. Once in our Cube of Cash, any money that sticks to your gooey body, you get to take home.
Question: Why didn't Miss Honey or any of the other teachers report Miss Trunchbull's abuse?
Answer: They would have been simply too afraid of the Trunchbull to report her.
Answer: Some of the staff also appear to be on her side, as we see the lunch lady appears to hate kids too. I always found it interesting that when she is scared away at the end, we don't appear to see any other teacher cheering her away except for Miss Honey. There may have been other teachers who had a "beat them and discipline them" idea just like hers.
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Answer: The "real world" answer is that it's a movie, and without Trunchbull, there's no villain at the school for Matilda to battle. Within the context of the film, everyone, including the staff, is afraid of her and fear if they speak up, she'll retaliate.