We watched this for family movie night with our 5.5 year old son and 2 year old daughter- everyone enjoyed it (and it's not always easy to find one that's enjoyable for kids and tolerable for parents). Everything about it was great and engaging- my kids didn't find any of the scenes with the animal predators scary but I think the father's death be difficult for more sensitive kids and might merit some discussion with your child but otherwise I highly recommend the film.
Duma
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Enchanting coming-of-age story for kids.
Themes in this movie include: problem-solving
updated 05.11.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
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What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Duma was written by Heather Boerner
Parents need to know that the father in the film dies, and that one character almost dies twice. This may upset more sensitive viewers. The main character has to deal with his father's death, moving to a new town, enrolling in a new school, and letting go of his favorite pet -- stressful situations for any kid. The film may inspire young animal lovers to ask if they can have a cheetah or other wild animal for a pet. The main character also runs away from home to return his cheetah to the wild and befriends a stranger.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about family members who have died and how they remember them. What do you do when you have to let go of someone or something you love?
- The film may inspire kids to read the book upon which it's based, How It Was With Dooms, or to learn more about Africa's people and wildlife. A trip to the zoo might be in order. They may also want to talk about Xan's decisions. Would you run away from home? Would you talk to a stranger?
- Would there be another way to get Duma released to the wild?
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More on Duma
What’s the Story?
For Xan (Alexander Michaletos), life is about his father, their farm in South Africa, and their rescued cheetah, Duma. But all along, Xan knows he'll have to return Duma to the wild. The week before Xan and father Peter (Campbell Scott) plan to release Duma, Peter passes away. Xan's life is thrown into turmoil. He and his mother Kristin (Hope Davis) lease the farm and move to the city. Xan is enrolled at a school where he's bullied. Everything seems to go wrong, and then it really does: Duma escapes the apartment, and suddenly the pair is on the lam. Xan uses the opportunity to return Duma to the wild. Here begins a Herculean journey, where a young boy must face life-or-death situations (Where do I get food? Do I trust this stranger? How do I cross this river or evade these lions?). Xan befriends a backpacker, Ripkuna (Eamonn Walker) and the three trek through the desert, face sandstorms, crocodiles, wild boars, lions, and attacking insects.
Is It Any Good?
With the adventure of Huckleberry Finn and the majesty of The Black Stallion, DUMA is an enchanting coming-of-age drama that teaches viewers the power and importance of family. Kids will be as mesmerized by the action as they are enchanted by Duma's gentle and loyal spirit. Here, the story and story-telling shines. Director Carroll Ballard also directed The Black Stallion and Fly Away Home, and it shows. The camera lovingly follows Duma's every movement and sound, evoking emotions if not human characteristics.
Alexander Michaletos plays Xan well as a scrappy, ingenious kid whose loyalty matches Duma's. Xan's relationship with Ripkuna is unexpectedly loving. Father-figure Ripkuna protects him and teaches him to allow change --both in himself and in Duma, who is less and less a pet and more a wild animal. Bonds -- between a boy and his cheetah, a boy and his mentor, a boy and his deceased father, and a boy and his mother -- are the real driving force here. Duma shows they are stronger than any cheetah is fast.
Movie Details
Studio: Warner Home Video, Director: Carroll Ballard
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/31/2005, DVD release: 5/16/2006
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic intensity
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/31/2005, DVD release: 5/16/2006
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic intensity
Our Members Say
See 9 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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Kids ages: 6
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
e.g. Engaging story, refreshing film
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I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
Great coming of age story
Great coming of age story with the elements of life that concern children rather than adolescents (animals, parents, adult friends as opposed to opposite sex attraction or peer pressure). Beautifully filmed. Scary parts (death of father, danger from lions, near death of a friend) are not graphic, but also are not glossed over.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Beautiful, Touching Portrayal of Growing Up
Duma is a touching tale about a boy learning to let his loved-ones go when they need to be. Set in gorgeous South-Africa, Duma takes you on a colorful and engaging journey about growing up- a very enchanting story.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Well told, highly engaging story, beautifully photographed
The movie is a well told story of childhood decision-making (kids don't always make the right choices, even if choosing to do something for the right reasons) set into a sometimes stunningly beautiful tour of South Africa. Directed by Carrol Ballard (who directed one of the most photographically beautiful film made in color, The Black Stallion), with excellent use of many familiar archetypes. My 8 year old boy was fully engaged and loved it. (note on my scoring: I indicate "educational" because with a good post-viewing discussion, there is much to learn).
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
I love it
I love this
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I rate this title on and give it
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I rate this title on and give it
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Kids ages: 12
I rate this title on and give it
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I rate this title on and give it
A Great Movie
This movie was great. It takes place in South Africa, where a boy lives out in the savannah with a cheetah which he and his dad picked up on the road. After the dad dies, the boy and his mother must move for more financial opportunities in the city, while still taking the cheetah, which by now has become mature. It one day escapes and police are called, and the boy finds the cheetah. Knowing that the cheetah will most certainly get put in the zoo, he decides to go out into the wild where he found the cheetah originally. I don't want to reveal the rest of the story as it will surely wreck it for people who want to see it, but the ending is something not to miss.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 75% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it's too violent |
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