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Swiss Family Robinson

(1960, Rated G, Drama, Starring John Mills, Dorothy McGuire)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Good intro for kids reluctant to watch old movies.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
  • Violence & scariness :

    Pirates attack and threaten; the Robinsons fight back with a variety of homemade weapons. Although there's no bloodshed, the violence looks real. The family is menaced by vilely depicted pirates.
  • Sexy stuff :

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Swiss Family Robinson

Parents need to know that pirates attack and threaten; the Robinsons fight back with a variety of homemade weapons. Although there's no bloodshed, the violence looks real. The pirates that attack the family are subject to some now-dated Asian stereotypes.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what it might really be like to be stranded somewhere far away from home. What should you do if you're ever in a tough situation like the Robinsons'? What are some basic ways to stay safe in nature? Families can also discuss the stereotypes featured in the movies. How has our culture changed since this movie was made? Why wouldn't the same characterizations be OK today?
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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Swiss Family Robinson?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    Kids ages: 3, 5
    I rate this title iffy for age 3 and give it 4.0

    A Classic

    I loved this as a kids and my kids enjoyed it too. The way the family works together is great. The animals cracked my kids up. The fight with the pirates at the end is a little more violent than I normally allow my kids to watch. There is shooting and sword fighting, but on the whole a great family film.

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 2.0

    Nothing Special

  3. Educator Reviewer
    Lives in California
    Kids ages: 11, 15
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    A Great Movie to Rediscover

    I'm always looking for movies that can span the 4 year age gap between my 9 year old daughter and my 5 year old son. This one worked! I'd forgotten what a great adventure movie this is and shot in a beautiful location. There is some violence and a very scary river snake that attacks the Swiss Family Robinson boys, but it didn't send my 5 year old running away. Often the stereotypes in old movies make me cringe and I spend more time explaining how society has changed than enjoying thie movie. This one was easier to stomach than most - acceptable gender roles. There was a somewhat stereotypical portrayal of South Sea pirates, but they were pirates after all. Lots of fun for a lazy Friday night at home.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it 3.0

    Great adventure film

    After seeing this movie as a child, the Swiss Family Robinson tree house was my favorite attraction at Disneyland. (Alas, it has since beome Tarzan's tree house.) It's a great adventure film with an unfortunately significant amount of violence. I don't think children under 5 should see it (although I let my son see it at 4.) There is also sexual content: the boys discover that the cabin boy they rescued is actually a girl, then treat her entirely differently thereafter. As an aside, I don't know what Indonesian pirates might have looked like during that time period, but the group portrayed in this movie is a very strange hodge podge of costumes and styles.

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