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King Arthur

(2004, Rated PG-13, Action/adventure, Starring Clive Owen, Keira Knightley, Ioan Gruffudd)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Entertaining, but ultimately forgettable.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Strong female character, discussion of equality for all as the ideal.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Frequent bloody battle scenes; allusions to rape and torture; lead characters die.
  • Sex:

    Allusions to sexual prowess, a sensual scene of implicit sex.
  • Language:

    Anatomical references, cursing religious beliefs.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink ale, references to drinking to forget and to celebrate.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About King Arthur

Parents need to know that this movie has many battle scenes and deaths, with lots of swords flashing and arrows flying, even if they do not depict gore and explicit violence. Young Arthur sees his town burnt and knows that his parents have been killed, which will disturb some children. Several victims of torture are shown in weakened states and refer to machines of torture. Two characters have a sensual scene with non-explicit sex. Characters talk about women, sex and their physical attributes. Arthur's men drink to celebrate and drink to mourn loss.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about leadership and the characteristics that inspire loyalty in this movie, as displayed by Arthur, Merlin, and the Saxons. The horror on the face of the Bishop's men at the sight of the famous Round Table is a statement on hierarchy. Families might wish to talk about the notion of equality that Arthur discusses versus the manner in which the Romans are depicted. The concepts of freedom, duty, and service are all used frequently in describing reasons for battle. Do you think these rallying speeches are moving? Do you think other factors (and if so, which) are what motivate the troops?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 2.0

    Bloody and intense

    I think that this movie was definitely intense, dark, and bloody. The beginning fight scene was so violent I had to look away several times as people were killed in really gruesome ways. I believe that this movie should have an 'R' rating.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Iloved it but I thnk an R rating should acure

    Very Good!

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    pretty good

    nowhere near as good as like LOTR, but still pretty good.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    violent

    This game is very fun but very violent kids my age should be able to see this movie but you have to be careful

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Interesting

    King Arthur was amazing not only for it's interesting historical perspective, but for it's graphic violence. Some scenes made LOTR seem benign.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    Some parts cool, some parts can,t believe they got paid

    Violence I very expected and not an issue. Problems are some of the worst acting I've seen, but in some sceenes some of the greatest and true battle tactics. Get Netflix or Blockbuster to see it.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Beautiful people

    The actors in this movie are (almost) all gorgeous people.

    I liked the movie, but it wasn't one I would rave about to my friends.

    The overall mood was "dark", as were most of the scenes -- like a perpetually cloudy/stormy day. There is very little to smile about, and I think there are only a couple of scenes where someone actually DOES smile.

    The "ice" scene was pretty good. Pretty strategic in the battle scene. All battles were pretty intense; however, it was not nearly as graphic as Mel Gibson's "highlander" movie years ago. (I'm sorry -- the title escapes me).

    The sexual content is mild -- more suggestive than graphic.

    The guy who plays the leader of the Saxons is probably THE WORST actor I've seen in a while. It was so bad I almost laughed. He was mean and heartless, but he wasn't very convincing otherwise. I think any High School actor could have pulled it off as well.

    I do think it might offer some educational value in the historical sense; to visualize how barbaric people were in that day and age. And how easily jerks can take charge and make life miserable for the commoners. There are lessons about loyalty and commitment and also about where to draw the line with that loyalty.

    I would probably let my teens (16 and 13) see it. I would probably rent it.

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