this movie is nothing like the book and there is nothing bad about it
The Phantom Tollbooth
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Clever artistry fails to convey the book's depth.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Phantom Tollbooth was written by Paul Trandahl
Parents need to know that there is some mild peril to the main characters, but nothing of concern. The film addresses the importance of learning.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about how the book differs from the cartoon. If you saw the cartoon first, how did it influence how you imagined the book? If you read the book first, did the cartoon live up how you imagined the characters, the settings, and the action of the book?
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More on The Phantom Tollbooth
What’s the Story?
In this animated adventure, young Milo, always bored, discovers a magic box in his room. It contains a tollbooth, through which he's able to enter the Kingdom of Wisdom, a wildly surreal landscape. Milo's soon visiting places with names like The Doldrums, Dictionopolis, and Digitopolis. He discovers that a feud between the King of Words, and the King of Numbers has brought ruin onto this once great land of Wisdom. Milo decides to help reconcile the two kingdoms, and rescue the Princesses Rhyme and Reason, who were banished long ago to the Castle in the Air. To do this he must come to an understanding of how words and numbers work together and then face down the Demons of Ignorance, who are guarding the castle. He succeeds in bringing harmony back to the Kingdom of Wisdom and acquires a newfound appreciation for the value of language and mathematics.
Is It Any Good?
Although it fails to make an emotional impact, verbal cleverness and impressive imagery make PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH worthwhile for those seeking more challenging entertainment. Based on a highly recommended book by Norman Juster, this feature-length cartoon offers a startling change of pace. Directed by animation legend Chuck Jones, the story does not involve a quest for love or identity, nor is it an animated retelling of a classic fairy tale. Instead it strives to depict the beauty of knowledge. Plunging its young hero into an Alice in Wonderland-like dreamscape is only partially successful, however.
The biggest problem is a meandering first half. Nevertheless, the movie has its rewards for the patient viewer. Its visualizations of various states of minds are fun to watch as Milo encounters the Lethargians, and faces down the Demons of Ignorance, all with clever names. Much of the film is a feast for the eyes. Maurice Noble, Chuck Jones's frequent collaborator at Warner Brothers, designed the stylized environment of the Kingdom of Wisdom. His conceptions of the bizarre landscapes are stunning. All in all, this is a worthwhile film with a very good message: Knowledge makes the world a better place. While probably too cerebral for younger children, older kids and even teens should enjoy it, and they may learn something in the bargain.
Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros., Director: Chuck Jones
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/7/1970, DVD release: 10/23/1991
MPAA Rating: G for General Audiences
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/7/1970, DVD release: 10/23/1991
MPAA Rating: G for General Audiences
Our Members Say
See all 8 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
for all ages
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
for all ages
this movie is nothing like the book and there is nothing bad about it
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
for all ages
this movie is nothing like the book and there is nothing bad about it
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
for all ages
this movie is nothing like the book and there is nothing bad about it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
amazing!
i don't actually know much about the movie. when you take into consideration that i never watched it, this makes sense. but i love to read, and the book is just one big play on words. it may not attract younger readers, since there is not much action, but for older kids who love to read and will get the puns, i give the book four stars and two thumbs up!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Good movie
I remember loving this book as kid, in fact might be one of the greatest books ever. Anyway the movie was very good to.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
THE MOST BORING MOVIE EVER!!!!!
Wow. The slowest, what was it, seemed like SIX HOURS! When I had to read the book I just skimmed, and asked my friend about it cause after the 3rd chapter I burned the book. Yep, I did. They say boredom stresses you, and my brain was cramping up every 2 words. No battles, no action, no no no no no no interesting things at all. Sheer boredom. GREAT TO WATCH IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING!
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