Is saving mr banks a true story examined

Is saving mr banks a true story serves as the launching point for an exploration into the fascinating, and often embellished, making of a cinematic classic. This film delves into the complex relationship between author P.L. Travers and Walt Disney himself, as they navigated the turbulent waters of adapting her beloved Mary Poppins books for the silver screen. It’s a story where memory, creativity, and the harsh realities of Hollywood collide, leaving audiences to ponder just how much of what they see on screen truly mirrors the events that transpired.

The narrative centers on the arduous two-week period in 1961 when Travers reluctantly traveled to Los Angeles to oversee the screenplay for the film adaptation of her creation. What unfolds is a captivating dance of wills, as Disney, ever the showman, attempts to charm and cajole the famously prickly author into granting him the creative freedom he needs to bring his vision to life.

The film masterfully weaves in Travers’s own past, revealing the deeply personal experiences that shaped her literary world and her fierce protectiveness over her characters.

The Core Question: Is Saving Mr. Banks a True Story?

“Saving Mr. Banks” is a captivating film that delves into the complex relationship between author P.L. Travers and Walt Disney himself, as they navigate the arduous journey of bringing her beloved character, Mary Poppins, to the big screen. The movie centers on the two-week period in 1961 when Travers, a notoriously prickly and protective author, traveled to Hollywood to work with Disney on the adaptation of her book.The film purports to depict the historical events surrounding the creation of the iconic 1964 film “Mary Poppins.” It showcases the creative clashes, the personal struggles of both Travers and Disney, and the eventual, albeit strained, collaboration that led to the beloved musical.

The primary question the film explores regarding its factual basis is the extent to which the dramatic portrayal of these events reflects the actual interactions and motivations of P.L. Travers and Walt Disney.

Historical Events Depicted in the Film

The movie meticulously recreates the atmosphere of 1960s Hollywood and the specific circumstances that brought P.L. Travers to Los Angeles. It highlights the immense pressure Disney felt to secure the rights to Mary Poppins, a project he had pursued for over twenty years. The film also details the initial resistance from Travers, who had a very specific vision for her characters and was deeply distrustful of Hollywood’s tendency to trivialize or alter beloved stories.

The central conflict revolves around Travers’s objections to various creative choices proposed by Disney and his team, including:

• The introduction of animated sequences, which Travers felt was antithetical to the tone of her books.
• The musical numbers and songs, which she believed detracted from the narrative’s subtlety.
• The casting of Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins, a decision she initially opposed.
• The animated penguins and the overall whimsical direction of the film.

The Nature of P.L. Travers’s Relationship with Walt Disney

The film portrays a tense and often adversarial relationship between Travers and Disney. It suggests that Disney, a master storyteller and showman, struggled to understand Travers’s deep emotional connection to her creation, which stemmed from her own childhood experiences. The movie uses flashbacks to Travers’s difficult childhood in Australia, revealing the profound personal significance of the Mary Poppins character as a means of coping with her father’s decline and eventual death.

“She was a tough old bird, wasn’t she?”Walt Disney, referring to P.L. Travers.

The film suggests that Disney, despite his initial frustration, eventually came to appreciate the depth of Travers’s feelings and found a way to connect with her on a more personal level, using his own childhood memories as a bridge. This emotional breakthrough is depicted as crucial to gaining her final approval for the film.

The Factual Accuracy of “Saving Mr. Banks”

While “Saving Mr. Banks” is based on a true story, it is important to acknowledge that it is a dramatization. The film takes creative liberties to enhance the narrative and emotional impact. The core events, such as Travers’s visit to Hollywood and her negotiations with Disney, are historically accurate. However, the intensity of the conflicts and the specific dialogues presented are likely embellished for dramatic effect.

Key areas where the film might deviate from strict historical accuracy include:

• The extent of Travers’s initial animosity and her direct confrontations with Disney. While she was known to be difficult, the film portrays a more overtly combative relationship than some accounts suggest.
• The specific timing and nature of the emotional revelations between Travers and Disney. The flashbacks to her childhood, while integral to the film’s themes, are a narrative device used to explain her character and motivations.
• The portrayal of certain supporting characters, such as the screenwriters Don DaGradi and the Sherman Brothers, who are depicted with varying degrees of artistic license.

The primary question the film explores regarding its factual basis is how much of the emotional core and interpersonal drama is a faithful representation of reality versus a compelling narrative crafted for the screen. It invites the audience to consider the subjective nature of memory and the challenges of adapting deeply personal stories.

Real People and Their Portrayals

The magic of cinema often involves taking real-life figures and weaving them into compelling narratives.Saving Mr. Banks* is no exception, bringing to life the complex personalities of P.L. Travers and Walt Disney. While the film offers a captivating glimpse into their dynamic, it’s always interesting to see how the on-screen versions stack up against the historical record and the public’s perception.The film’s central conflict hinges on the clash between author P.L.

Travers and studio head Walt Disney as they negotiate the film rights toMary Poppins*. This dynamic is brilliantly portrayed, but understanding the nuances of their real-life personalities adds another layer to the viewing experience.

P.L. Travers: The Enigmatic Author

The film presents Helen Goff, better known as P.L. Travers, as a formidable and somewhat prickly woman, deeply protective of her creation. This portrayal is largely consistent with historical accounts, which paint her as a private individual with a strong will and a clear vision for her work.

• On-Screen Traits: Emma Thompson’s Travers is depicted as aloof, highly critical, and resistant to Disney’s overtures. She’s shown to be haunted by her past, particularly her relationship with her father, which deeply influenced her writing. Her fastidiousness and distrust of Disney’s commercial approach are central to her character.
• Historical Accounts: Biographies and contemporary accounts confirm Travers’s reserved nature and her significant creative control over adaptations of her work. She was known to be a meticulous editor and was often unhappy with early drafts of screenplays. Her childhood experiences, especially her father’s struggles with alcoholism and his eventual death, are well-documented as a profound influence on her literary output, particularly the character of Uncle Andrew in
  -Mary Poppins*.

• Key Personality Traits: Travers possessed a sharp intellect, a dry wit, and an almost fierce dedication to preserving the integrity of her stories. She was also a spiritual seeker, interested in mythology and folklore, which informed her writing. The film effectively captures her blend of sternness and underlying vulnerability.

Walt Disney: The Visionary Entrepreneur, Is saving mr banks a true story

Tom Hanks’s portrayal of Walt Disney is that of a charming, persistent, and shrewd businessman, a stark contrast to the often-idealized image of the genial cartoon creator. The film delves into the complexities of his ambition and his methods.

• On-Screen Persona: The film shows Disney as a man driven by a deep desire to fulfill a promise to his daughters, but also as someone willing to employ considerable charm and persuasion to get his way. He’s depicted as an astute negotiator, adept at understanding human psychology, and willing to bend the truth slightly to achieve his goals. His relentless optimism and belief in the power of storytelling are evident.

  The intriguing question of is saving mr banks a true story hints at hidden depths, much like the mysterious journey one might undertake. Perhaps the very secrets of P.L. Travers’ past are as elusive as discovering how to get to outer banks. Ultimately, the truth behind the making of Mary Poppins remains a captivating enigma, much like those distant shores.

• Public Persona vs. Film Portrayal: Walt Disney cultivated an image of a benevolent father figure and a magical storyteller. While he was undoubtedly a brilliant innovator and entertainer, the film offers a more nuanced look at the businessman behind the magic. Hanks’s Disney is not the folksy, avuncular figure of public imagination but a more pragmatic and driven individual.
• Biographical Information: Historical records confirm Disney’s incredible entrepreneurial spirit and his unparalleled success in the entertainment industry. He was known for his relentless pursuit of perfection and his ability to inspire his teams. However, like many powerful figures, he was also a shrewd negotiator and could be quite determined in achieving his objectives, sometimes employing tactics that might be considered less than straightforward by modern standards.

  The film’s depiction of his persistence and his desire to make
  -Mary Poppins* a reality aligns with his known drive and ambition.

The film’s strength lies in its ability to present these two iconic figures not as caricatures but as flawed, compelling individuals whose differing perspectives and personal histories collide with fascinating results. The liberties taken with some interactions serve the dramatic purpose of the story, highlighting the emotional and creative journey required to bring

Mary Poppins* to the screen.

The Creation of Mary Poppins

Saving Mr. Banks brilliantly delves into the tumultuous creative journey that brought the magical Mary Poppins from the pages of P.L. Travers’s books to the silver screen. It’s a story about the clash of two very different artistic visions, and the unexpected compromises that eventually led to a beloved classic. The film doesn’t just show the making of a movie; it explores the very essence of imagination and how it’s translated across mediums.The heart of this adaptation lies in the fascinating, often fraught, collaboration between the formidable P.L.

Travers and the effervescent songwriting duo, the Sherman Brothers. Their interactions, as depicted in the film, were a masterclass in negotiation and artistic temperament, highlighting the challenges of translating a deeply personal literary work into a mass-market musical.

The Collaborative Process Between P.L. Travers and the Sherman Brothers

The film portrays the Sherman Brothers, Richard and Robert, as enthusiastic and eager to capture the whimsy of Travers’s creation. Initially, their approach was to inject a more overtly cheerful and musical sensibility into the story, a stark contrast to Travers’s more nuanced and sometimes melancholic tone. Travers, on the other hand, was protective of her characters and the underlying themes of her books, particularly the exploration of grief and family dynamics.

Their sessions were marked by Travers’s sharp critiques and the Shermans’ persistent efforts to find common ground, often through musical experimentation. The film showcases moments where the brothers would present song ideas, only for Travers to dismiss them or offer specific, often critical, feedback, revealing her deep understanding of the characters and her vision for their portrayal.

Challenges and Compromises in Adapting Travers’s Books for the Screen

Adapting P.L. Travers’s novels for a Disney musical presented significant hurdles. Travers was initially adamant that her books should not be turned into a musical, fearing that the songs and cheerful tone would undermine the deeper emotional resonance of her stories. The film highlights her deep-seated resistance to Disney’s vision, particularly his desire for a more overtly whimsical and song-filled experience.

A major point of contention was the character of the father, Mr. Banks, whom Travers saw as a complex, flawed individual struggling with his own emotional repression. Disney and the filmmakers, however, wanted to present a more lighthearted and ultimately redeemable figure. The compromises involved finding ways to incorporate Travers’s darker themes and character nuances within the framework of a family-friendly musical, a delicate balancing act that the film vividly illustrates.

Creative Liberties Taken in the Film Regarding the Development of Musical Elements

The film takes creative liberties in its depiction of how the iconic songs were developed. While the Sherman Brothers were indeed instrumental in crafting the music, the film dramatizes their creative process and their interactions with Travers. For instance, the film suggests that the song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” was inspired by Travers’s own childhood wordplay, though the actual origins are more complex.

Similarly, the genesis of “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Feed the Birds” is presented as a direct response to Travers’s insights and emotional journey, which, while dramatically compelling, likely streamlines the actual songwriting process. The film also uses the development of these songs as a narrative device to chart the thawing of Travers’s initial resistance and her growing, albeit grudging, acceptance of the adaptation.

P.L. Travers’s Initial Resistance to the Film Adaptation

P.L. Travers’s resistance to a film adaptation, particularly a musical one, was profound and deeply rooted. The film effectively conveys her apprehension stemming from past negative experiences with adaptations and a genuine concern that the magic and subtle emotional depth of her books would be lost in translation. She envisioned Mary Poppins as a complex character, not merely a whimsical nanny, and she was wary of the saccharine interpretations that Disney’s studio was known for.

Her initial meetings with Walt Disney reveal a woman fiercely protective of her creation, unwilling to cede control or allow her characters to be trivialized. This resistance is portrayed as a central conflict, with her eventual, albeit reluctant, participation driven by financial necessity and a gradual, hard-won trust in Walt Disney’s intentions.

Historical Accuracy vs. Dramatic License

It’s a common question for any film based on real events: how much of what we see is true, and where does Hollywood step in?Saving Mr. Banks* is no exception. While the film captures the essence of the tumultuous relationship between P.L. Travers and Walt Disney, it takes considerable liberties to weave a compelling narrative. This is where the line between historical fact and dramatic license becomes fascinatingly blurred.The movie masterfully uses the creation ofMary Poppins* as a framework to explore the deeply personal and often painful memories of P.L.

Travers. However, to achieve this, certain events and character interactions are amplified, condensed, or even invented. Understanding these deviations helps us appreciate the film not as a documentary, but as a dramatized exploration of a complex woman and her iconic creation.

Deviations from Documented Historical Facts

While the core conflict between Travers and Disney regarding the adaptation of her beloved book is accurate, many specific interactions and timelines are altered for cinematic effect. The film presents a highly condensed timeline of the negotiation process, making it seem as though Travers was in constant, direct conflict with Disney for the entire duration. In reality, the negotiations spanned many years, with periods of silence and indirect communication.Specific instances of dramatic license include:

• The intensity and frequency of Travers’s objections to Disney’s proposed changes. While she was certainly a tough negotiator, the film portrays her as being almost constantly at odds with the creative team, including animators and songwriters.
• The character of Ralph, the limousine driver, is largely a fictional creation. While Travers did have a driver, his role in the film as a confidant and sounding board for her memories is a narrative device to externalize her internal struggles.
• The depiction of the songwriting Sherman Brothers as being somewhat insensitive to Travers’s vision, only to have them miraculously understand her deeper meaning later. Their creative process was likely more collaborative and less antagonistic than shown.
• The portrayal of Walt Disney as a solely benevolent, albeit persistent, figure trying to win over a difficult author. While Disney was a master showman, historical accounts suggest he could also be quite forceful and manipulative in his business dealings.

Motivations Behind Narrative Deviations

Filmmakers often face the challenge of translating complex historical events and personalities into a digestible and engaging story for a broad audience. InSaving Mr. Banks*, the primary motivation for these deviations is to heighten the emotional impact and create a more cohesive dramatic arc.The film aims to:

• Amplify the Central Conflict: By making Travers and Disney’s interactions more frequent and confrontational, the film emphasizes the struggle between artistic integrity and commercial adaptation. This creates tension and keeps the audience invested.
• Externalize Internal Conflict: The flashbacks to Travers’s childhood are crucial to understanding her deep attachment to Mary Poppins. The film uses her interactions with Disney and his team as a catalyst to trigger these memories, making her internal journey more visible.
• Create Sympathy for Both Characters: While Travers is presented as difficult, the flashbacks reveal the trauma that shaped her. Similarly, Disney’s persistence is framed as a desire to bring joy to his daughters and a wider audience, making him more sympathetic despite his business acumen.
• Condense Time for Pacing: Historical negotiations can be lengthy and drawn-out. For a film, condensing these events into a more focused timeframe creates a more dynamic pace and allows for a greater concentration of dramatic moments.

P.L. Travers’s Childhood Memories: Film vs. Biography

The film’s depiction of Helen Goff’s childhood, particularly her relationship with her father, is central to understanding P.L. Travers’s character and her creation of Mary Poppins. The movie vividly portrays her father, Travers Robert Goff, as a loving but ultimately tragic figure, struggling with alcoholism and financial difficulties, which ultimately led to his death.Biographical details generally corroborate the difficult circumstances of Travers’s childhood.

Her father did die relatively young, and his struggles were well-documented. However, the film intensifies the emotional weight of these memories, making them almost a direct inspiration for specific elements of Mary Poppins. For instance, the film suggests that the character of Mary Poppins was a manifestation of her father’s desire to bring order and magic into their chaotic lives.While it’s undeniable that her childhood experiences profoundly shaped her writing, the film presents a more direct and linear causal link between specific childhood events and the creation of Mary Poppins than may have existed in reality.

The film uses these memories as a powerful emotional engine, driving both Travers’s resistance and her eventual reluctant acceptance of the adaptation.

The Role of Flashbacks in the Narrative

The integration of flashbacks is perhaps the most significant element of the film’s dramatic license, serving as the emotional backbone of the story. These scenes, set in rural Australia, depict young Helen Goff’s idyllic yet precarious life with her father, her devoted mother, and her siblings.The flashbacks function in several key ways:

• Character Revelation: They provide the audience with essential context for P.L. Travers’s guarded nature and her deep-seated emotional scars. We see the source of her protectiveness over Mary Poppins, whom she views as a legacy of her father’s love and her mother’s resilience.
• Thematic Resonance: The themes of memory, loss, and the power of imagination are explored through these fragmented glimpses into her past. They highlight the contrast between the magical world she conjured as a child and the harsh realities she faced.
• Driving the Present-Day Conflict: Each flashback is triggered by a specific event or conversation in the present, often by something Walt Disney or the Sherman Brothers say or do. This connection makes the past feel alive and directly relevant to the ongoing negotiation.
• Emotional Arc: The gradual unfolding of these memories allows the audience to empathize with Travers’s journey. We witness her healing process as she confronts these painful recollections, leading to a more nuanced understanding of her character.

The way these flashbacks are interwoven with the present-day narrative is a testament to the film’s storytelling craft, transforming a potentially dry negotiation into a deeply emotional exploration of family, art, and memory.

The Role of P.L. Travers’s Past

The film “Saving Mr. Banks” masterfully weaves P.L. Travers’s personal history into the narrative, revealing how her deeply ingrained childhood experiences profoundly shaped her interactions with Walt Disney and her hesitant approach to the creation of “Mary Poppins.” Her past isn’t just backstory; it’s the very lens through which she views the world and her iconic character.The film presents Travers’s childhood, particularly her relationship with her father, as a wellspring of her emotional complexity and her guarded nature.

These formative years are depicted as the source of her deep-seated anxieties and her resistance to Disney’s more saccharine and Americanized interpretation of her work. Her father’s descent into alcoholism and his eventual death are shown as pivotal moments that instilled in her a sense of loss and a need for control, which she projects onto the “Mary Poppins” project.

Childhood Trauma and Its Influence on Present Decisions

Travers’s past traumas are not merely footnotes; they are the driving force behind her character’s emotional arcs. Her father, played by Colin Farrell, is portrayed as a loving but ultimately flawed figure whose struggles with drink and financial instability cast a long shadow over her childhood. These memories manifest as vivid flashbacks, often triggered by specific events or conversations with Walt.

Her reluctance to relinquish creative control over Mary Poppins stems from a deep-seated fear of her creation being corrupted or diminished, mirroring her inability to save her father from his own demons. This internal conflict fuels her often-abrasive interactions with Disney, as she battles to protect the integrity of her story and, by extension, the memory of her father.

Thematic Significance of Memory and Its Reconstruction

“Saving Mr. Banks” uses memory not as a static record but as a fluid, often reinterpreted, entity. Travers’s flashbacks are not always presented as objective truth but as her subjective recollections, colored by time and emotion. The film explores how individuals, particularly those who have experienced trauma, tend to reconstruct their memories to cope with pain or to preserve a more idealized version of the past.

Travers’s initial resistance to Disney’s vision can be seen as an attempt to preserve her memory of her father and her childhood as she wishes it to be remembered, rather than as it truly was. The process of writing “Mary Poppins” becomes a form of therapeutic reconstruction, allowing her to confront and integrate her past.

Adding Depth to P.L. Travers’s Character Through Personal History

The film’s deliberate inclusion of P.L. Travers’s personal history is crucial in transforming her from a mere author into a complex, multi-dimensional character. Without these glimpses into her childhood, her seemingly cantankerous demeanor and her fierce protectiveness of Mary Poppins might appear unreasonable or even petty. However, understanding the emotional weight of her past—the love, the loss, and the responsibility she felt—provides a profound context for her actions.

It allows the audience to empathize with her struggles and to appreciate the depth of her artistic integrity, which is intrinsically linked to her personal journey of healing and remembrance. The film effectively uses these biographical elements to explain why the creation of “Mary Poppins” was so much more than just a business transaction for her; it was a deeply personal endeavor.

The Legacy and Reception of the Film

“Saving Mr. Banks” certainly sparked a lively conversation among critics and audiences alike, particularly regarding its faithfulness to the historical events it depicts. While celebrated for its stellar performances and emotional depth, the film’s portrayal of P.L. Travers and the contentious creative process behind “Mary Poppins” was met with a spectrum of reactions. This blend of historical drama and character study left many pondering the delicate balance between fact and fiction in cinematic storytelling.The film’s reception highlighted a common point of discussion: how to reconcile the emotional narrative presented on screen with the documented historical accounts.

Audiences were drawn into the deeply personal story of Helen Goff (later P.L. Travers) and her difficult relationship with her father, which the film posits as the primary wellspring of her iconic nanny. This resonated with many, but it also led to questions about whether this interpretation was overly simplified or embellished for dramatic effect.

Critical and Audience Reactions to Historical Accuracy

Critics generally praised the film’s acting, with Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks receiving particular acclaim for their nuanced portrayals. However, discussions around historical accuracy were prevalent. Many reviewers noted that while the film captured the spirit of the era and the personalities involved, certain events and interactions were likely condensed or dramatized. The film’s focus on Travers’s childhood trauma as the sole driver for her creative decisions was a point of contention for some historians and biographers, who argued that it might overshadow other significant influences on her writing.

Audiences, while often moved by the story, also engaged in debates about the extent to which the film represented the actual dynamic between Travers and Walt Disney.

Impact on Public Perception of P.L. Travers and Mary Poppins

“Saving Mr. Banks” undoubtedly had a significant impact on how P.L. Travers is perceived by the general public. Before the film, she was often seen as a somewhat enigmatic and formidable author. The movie humanized her, revealing a complex woman shaped by profound personal experiences.

This portrayal fostered greater empathy and understanding for her creative struggles and her fierce protectiveness over her characters. Similarly, the film’s narrative surrounding the creation of Mary Poppins offered a compelling behind-the-scenes glimpse, making the beloved character and her story feel even more deeply rooted in personal experience for a new generation of viewers.

Common Points of Discussion Regarding Truth and Fiction

The discourse surrounding “Saving Mr. Banks” frequently revolved around its handling of dramatic license. Several key areas emerged as common points of discussion:

• The intensity of P.L. Travers’s initial resistance to Walt Disney’s vision is emphasized for dramatic effect. While she was known to be particular, the film portrays her as almost intractable at times, a characteristic that may have been heightened.
• The film heavily emphasizes the connection between Travers’s traumatic childhood memories and her writing of Mary Poppins. While her father was undoubtedly a significant figure, some critics suggest the film may oversimplify the genesis of her ideas, potentially downplaying her own imaginative contributions and other life experiences.
• Certain characters and interactions, such as the relationship between Travers and her father, are depicted through flashbacks that are central to the film’s emotional arc. The specific details and emotional weight of these memories are subject to interpretation and artistic representation rather than strict historical record.
• The portrayal of Walt Disney himself, while generally positive, also includes moments of his persistence and occasional frustration, presenting a more complex figure than the purely benevolent studio head often imagined.

Shaping Understanding of Mary Poppins Origins

The narrative woven by “Saving Mr. Banks” has profoundly shaped the popular understanding of how Mary Poppins came to be. The film positions the creation of the magical nanny as an act of both artistic necessity and personal catharsis for P.L. Travers. Through its compelling flashbacks to her childhood in Queensland and her fraught negotiations with Walt Disney, the movie presents a clear, emotionally resonant origin story.

This cinematic interpretation suggests that Mary Poppins, in essence, was born from Travers’s own desire to heal her past and confront her inner demons, a powerful narrative that has become inextricably linked with the character in the public consciousness.

Conclusive Thoughts: Is Saving Mr Banks A True Story

Ultimately, “Saving Mr. Banks” offers a compelling, albeit dramatized, look at the genesis of a beloved film. While the movie takes liberties for the sake of narrative momentum and emotional resonance, it successfully captures the essence of the creative struggle and the profound impact of personal history on artistic output. The film leaves us with a deeper appreciation for both the magic of Mary Poppins and the complex individuals who brought her to life, reminding us that even the truest stories often benefit from a touch of Hollywood enchantment.

Clarifying Questions

What is the main conflict in Saving Mr. Banks?

The main conflict revolves around the clash between P.L. Travers’s rigid control over her creation and Walt Disney’s desire for creative freedom to make the film a success, complicated by Travers’s own personal history and trauma.

Did P.L. Travers really hate the Mary Poppins movie?

While she was initially very resistant and critical of Disney’s proposed changes, particularly the musical numbers, her feelings evolved. The film suggests a grudging respect and perhaps even a late-stage acceptance, though her true, lifelong feelings remain a subject of interpretation.

Are the flashbacks in the movie based on real events?

Yes, the flashbacks depicting Travers’s difficult childhood in Australia, particularly her relationship with her father, are inspired by real events and her personal history, which the film uses to explain her character and her anxieties about the adaptation.

How accurate is the portrayal of Walt Disney?

The film presents a more complex and humanized version of Walt Disney than his public persona, showing his determination, his business acumen, and his moments of vulnerability, though some critics argue it softens his more ruthless business practices.

Did the Sherman Brothers really write the songs during the meetings?

The film dramatizes the songwriting process. While the Sherman Brothers were indeed responsible for the iconic songs, the movie condenses and stages their creative contributions for narrative effect, showing them composing in response to Travers’s input and Disney’s demands.