Mary and Martha (2013): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2013, Mary and Martha is a drama and tv movie film directed by Phillip Noyce, running about 90 minutes. “Two mothers lose their sons to malaria.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Wealthy American housewife Mary Morgan takes her bullied son George out of school for home education,including a trip to Southern Africa. Whilst in Mozambique George is bitten by a mosquito which crawls through a hole in his net and dies of malaria. After his funeral at home Mary feels a compulsion to return to Africa where she meets English woman Martha O'Connell,whose 24 year old son Ben, a teacher with voluntary service overseas,has also died of malaria. Ben gave his net to one of his pupils,believing adults cannot catch malaria. The two women are shocked to see the high death rate caused by the disease and,whilst Martha stays in Africa as a voluntary helper,Mary petitions the American government to change things. Martha turns up at Mary's house unannounced and,helped by Mary's ex-diplomat father,they address a senate committee on health spending,persuading them to do more to combat malaria. They meet with some success though a coda states that much more can be done.

Who’s in it. Mary and Martha stars Hilary Swank as Mary, Brenda Blethyn as Martha, Sam Claflin as Ben and Frank Grillo as Peter, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Mary and Martha has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and HBO Max and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Mary and Martha page.

If you liked it. Fans of Mary and Martha tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.