Character mistake: When Harry takes the kids to his business, he's showing them how he "restores" cars. After putting the bumper on, Harry says, "Transmission. The sawdust quietens the gears and let's the engine run as sweet as a nut." Putting sawdust into the transmission would not change how the engine runs as they are two separate components. It may make the transmission quieter but would have zero effect on the engine.
Matilda (1996)
1 character 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.
Harry Wormwood: A book? What do you want a book for?
Matilda: To read.
Harry Wormwood: To read? Why would you want to read when you got the television set sitting right in front of you? There's nothing you can get from a book that you can't get from a television faster.
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.
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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.