'Goodbye Christopher Robin' - the true, sad story behind Winnie the Pooh

NEW YORK (WABC) -- It is one of the most beloved children's story characters. Now, the real story behind "Winnie the Pooh" comes to life in the new movie 'Goodbye Christopher Robin'.

Turns out: the story behind the storybook is a downbeat tale that is best left untold. I confess I really didn't want to know how a children's book that brought so much happiness to so many -- caused so much misery for the child named, Christopher Robin, who inspired the boy in the book.

"I'd really like it if you would write a book for me" says the child in the movie to his dad. "I'd definitely read it."

The famous characters hadn't been created yet when we meet author A. A. Milne played by Domhnall Gleeson.

Milne is suffering from post-traumatic stress after World War One. A move from London to the country doesn't help until father and son start taking long walks together and musing about the lives of the child's stuffed animals.

The stuffed bear is named 'Winnie" after a Canadian bear named "WInnipeg" who the Milnes discover in The London Zoo.

A fellow veteran of World War One provides the illustrations that are still so much a part of the enduring appeal of the books.

The worldwide fame that follows the publication of "Winnie the Pooh" makes The Milnes really rich, but proves traumatizing for the couple's only child - who is bullied without mercy for being 'Christopher Robin.' But, of course, you won't see that in the promos.