FAQ

Mamma Mia! is based on a long-running musical of the same name, written by British playwright Catherine Johnson. Songs for the musical, including the title song, are from the Swedish pop group ABBA, and the plot for the musical was adapted from the 1968 film Von Alimenten lässt sich's leben (1968).

No, it is never revealed. Some viewers believe that it is Bill Anderson (Stellan Skarsgård), but the movie does not confirm this. The possibilities of who her Dad might be are further compounded by the shared talents she displays while with all three on the boat. For instance, her drawing talent might come from Sam. Her musical talent might come from Harry. Her interest in exploring the world might come from Bill.

Literally, it translates to "my momma." It is used as an expression, much like "Holy Cow!", to make an exclamatory statement.

While "Under Attack" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You" appear in instrumental form, they are not sung as in the stage play. "The Name of the Game" is not included entirely but is included on the DVD. While not listed in the credits, when Donna enters the basement of the Old Goat House, she is humming/softly singing "Fernando." While "Thank You for the Music" does not appear in the movie proper, Sophie sings it during the end credits. The movie includes "When All is Said and Done", which was not in the stage version. It also features "Waterloo" in the closing title section, which is not always performed in the stage version.

1. It is hot in the summer. 2. They speak Greek.

The inn might be built over Aphroditie's Fountain. When the earthquake breaks the tile in the courtyard, an underground spring sprays over everyone. This is a sign of someone finding true love. It also shows proof that the fountain actually exists which will bode well for the future of the Inn.

Benny's cameo is as the piano player on the pier during "Dancing Queen" and Bjorn's cameo is at the very end of the film—when "Waterloo" ends, he is one of the Greek gods seen floating on clouds. The 2 ladies of ABBA (Frida and Agnetha) do not have cameos in the film.

The story is set in Greece. They are a Greek chorus. An undercurrent of the film is to structure the story as a Greek comedy (like Aristophanes), including patterns of strophe and antistrophe,a chorus representing the common people, and costumes matched to moods of the characters, including masks and the phallic props typical of Greek comedy.

The story is set on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi. However, all of Villa Donna (Donna's resort), the courtyard, the rooms, and the goat house, was a set inside the 007 Stage at Pinewood Studios in London. The exterior shots outside the resort were shot partially on Skiathos, Kastani Beach in Skopelos, and Damouchari, Pelion Greece.

Sophie's wedding dress was designed by Ann Roth, the costume designer for the movie.

They gave full rights to UNICEF, and all sales from that song go straight to UNICEF. It could possibly be that they couldn't come to an arrangement for UNICEF to collect a small profit from the sales of the film soundtrack. Having it performed is one thing... selling it is another.