Mary and Martha (2013)
"Two mothers lose their sons to malaria."

Title: Mary and Martha
Original Title: Mary and Martha
Release Date: 2013-03-01
Status: Released
Rating: 6.4/10 (from 78 votes)
Language: EN
Genres: Drama, TV Movie
Production Companies: BBC, HBO Films, Universal Television, Working Title Films
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.
Cast

Hilary Swank
Mary

Brenda Blethyn
Martha

Sam Claflin
Ben

Frank Grillo
Peter

James Woods
Mary's Father

Adam Neill
Teacher

Stephen Jennings
Principal

Chandler McIntyre
Hannah

Stephanie Faracy
Head of Committee

Melissa Ponzio
Alice