Without a doubt, British author Roald Dahl left a gigantic footprint in our popular culture. Many of his book have been adapted into films, including James and the Giant Peach,THE BFG.

I had the honor of speaking with his daughter Lucy Dahl about the Walt Disney Pictures production, now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital platforms.

In the book, the giants do pretty horrible things. How did you deal with those dark elements in your father’s work?

My father used to say that the trick to write about things like that is to never allow the child to be able to visualize it. The one example that he used quite a lot was from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: “Augustus Gloop went up the pipe, and was made into fudge,” and that was that. There was no description on how he was made into fudge. He was able to dance on that imaginary line between humor and horror. The giants in The BFG like to eat children, but there are no details like “they tried to run away” or “they screamed.” It is about keeping children’s attention without going too far and frighten them.

I am sure that you weren’t frightened when you knew the dream team that wanted to make this film: Steven Spielberg, writer Melissa Mathison, and Kathleen Kennedy producing. What was your reaction after your first meeting with them?

You just answered your question: It’s a dream team! The last time they made a movie together it was E.T. At some point you have to trust and leave it in the hands of people that know what they are doing and hope that it is magical. And it is magical and beautiful! The first time that I spoke with Steven on the phone we talked for about an hour about heart and love. For me the story is about a lonely person finding another lonely person somewhere in the universe, connecting, healing each other, and being able to hear each other wherever they are.

What do you like the most about the movie?

Nowadays most movies are very fast: The way the characters talk, the pace, etc. It’s all “Bang! Bang! Bang!” You know? This film is more than just entertaining the kids for a couple of hours, it really takes you on a journey of the heart. This film is going to take today’s kids away from their many distractions into another dimension.

THE BFG is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital platforms.
The movie stars Ruby Barnhill, Mark Rylance, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Rafe Spall, Bill Hader, and Jemaine Clement.

A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because unlike his peers refuses to eat boys and girls.