A Little Princess

I watched this with my kids ages 9 and 7 having seen that common sense media recommends for ages 7 and up. Having read the book as a child I thought I knew the story would be fine but the narrative here is very different and includes harrowing scenes from the first world war - dead bodies everywhere in the trenches, a badly wounded soldier who is left to die etc. I can't understand how kids as young as 7 are okay with seeing this. Mine were absolutely distraught and I really regret not reading the other reviews before showing it to them. To be honest it feels like the end of innocence that their eyes have been opened to the horrors of war at such a young age. Another new element, different from the book is that there is a child servant, very badly treated and not allowed to speak to the other children, presumably because she is black as well as a servant. The racism is treated with almost casual acceptance in the story, this being 1914, again very upsetting and needs careful parental talking through.

I absolutely love this film. I watch it every Week,and i read over and over the book. The film does not disappoint at all,because it perfectly makes us feel every feeling and emotion Sara Crewe feels. It is a story that shows us how optimism and imagination can always help us through tough times and that de never, ever have to give in to mean feelings or actions,but to always stay kind and generous at heart instead. Sara Crewe is a wonderful role model for people of all ages, and regardless of the gender. The grumpy headmistress of the boarding school is the perfect copy of the book 's one. So are the cute and funny friends of Sara. The end is absolutely wonderful and undeniably well deserved by such a strong willed, intelligent, gentle character who never loses her hopefulness . Sure,there are fun moments in this film,such as when Mrs Minchin feels embarassed by Sara's fluent speaking French . There also are many tear jerker moments...when Sara finds out that nobody has any news of her father who could possibly be dead. I do absolutely not recommend this story- the book and even less the movie, with the visual scenes- to any child below 13. It is a book for teenagers and adults ...many scenes are emotionally tough for a child.