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What is the Difference Between the 'Mamma Mia!' Musical & Movie?

"Mamma Mia!" is a popular stage musical that had a big-screen adaptation in 2008. Backed by a huge ensemble of ABBA songs, "Mamma Mia!" tells the tale of Sophie Sheridan, a young bride-to-be who makes the shocking discovery that one of three men actually may be her father. As with all musical-to-movie adaptations, some differences result. Most of the songs in the film version differ their stage counterparts because they were altered specially for the big-screen adaptation.

  1. Bill's Last Name

    • The last name of the character Bill, who may be Sophie's father, is different in each version. In the stage version, Bill's last name is Austin. In the film version, his last name is Anderson.

    'Fernando'

    • One of ABBA's most memorable songs, "Fernando", was removed from the film version due its controversial subject--war. Instead, Donna, whom is Sophie's mother, can be heard humming some of the song as she enters the old goat house when the possible fathers hide upstairs.

    'Under Attack,' 'One of Us' and 'Knowing Me, Knowing You'

    • The three songs--"One of Us," "Under Attack" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You" --were all removed from the film version for undisclosed reasons.

    'The Name of the Game'

    • The song, "The Name of the Game," was filmed, but it was removed from the theatrical release and has since been added as an extra on the film's DVD.

    'Thank You for the Music'

    • The song, "Thank You for the Music," accompanies the stage version's narrative. In the film version, the song is instead included during the ending credits.

    'When All is Said and Done'

    • "When All is Said and Done" is not part of the stage version, but it is part of the film version.

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