 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Dumbo
- Review Date: May 18, 2003
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1941
Common Sense Media says
Sweet Disney classic is still lovely, despite stereotypes.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Disney's short-and-sweet tale of a shy little circus elephant with supersized ears is considered controversial, because of its depiction of the black crows. On the one hand, critics claim the crows (who were in fact all voiced by African-American actors) are animated minstrels, whereas Disney apologists say the crows are the only likeable characters besides Dumbo, his mom, and Timothy the mouse. If you're okay with the representation of the crows, there are still a couple of disturbing scenes, particularly when Mrs. Jumbo is captured after defending Dumbo. Plus, Dumbo and Timothy accidentally get drunk and hallucinate the "Pink Elephants on Parade" segment, that's alternately trippy, creepy, and cute. Overall, the message is that we should celebrate and not mock each other's differences.
What's the story?
Disney's classic animated tale of DUMBO begins when the stork delivers babies to the circus animals, including Mrs. Jumbo's baby, an elephant with enormous ears. The other elephants laugh at him and call him Dumbo, but Mrs. Jumbo loves him very much. When Dumbo is mistreated, she is furious and raises such a fuss that she is locked up. Dumbo is made part of the clown act, which embarrasses him very much. He is a big hit and, celebrating his good fortune, accidentally drinks champagne and becomes tipsy. The next morning, he wakes up in a tree, with no idea how he got there. It turns out that he flew! He becomes the star of the circus, with his proud mother beside him.
Is it any good?
This is a classic family film, with the gorgeous handcrafted animation that's a hallmark of early Disney films. Composers Oliver Wallace and Frank Churchill won Oscars for the film's musical score. The themes in this movie include friendship, tolerance of differences, and the importance of believing in yourself. Some of the characters (particularly the crows) are quite dated by today's standards, but kids will sill appreciate the story of the little elephant who learns to believe in himself.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about empathy by asking kids how they would feel if everyone laughed at them the way the animals laugh at Dumbo. Why do the other elephants laugh at Dumbo's ears? How does that make him feel? What can kids do when they're laughed at or bullied?
Talk about friendship. How important it is to Dumbo to have a friend like Timothy? Why does Timothy tell Dumbo he needs the feather to fly? How does he learn that he does not need it?
Talk about the crows. What is the controversy about the crows? How have depictions of ethnicities and races changed since this movie was made? Can people still enjoy movies that contain dated stereotypes?
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AGE
May not be appropriate for today's audiences.
My son and I really identified with the strong emotional bond between Ms. Jumbo and Dumbo. This movie may be fine for older children who can engage in frank conversations about stereotypes and alcohol use after watching this film...but it's not for the preschool crowd.
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AGE
Somewhat outdated but redeemed by important content
In addition to the stereotypical depiction of the "black" crows mentioned in the Common Sense review, there is also a scene of faceless but apparently African American roustabouts setting up the circus in the rain. This scene could be offensive to some. There also is a scene in which Dumbo and Timothy drink alcohol-laced water and get very drunk. The following scene is hallucinogenic and somewhat threatening. (Walt seemed to have a significant interest in hallucination.) My 4 year old loves the drunk/bubble scene; he calls it "when they drink that funny green water," so the alcohol aspect is lost on him at this point. If you have concerns about the stereotyping of women, the elephants are all female and all extremely catty.
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AGE
good movie but....
This beloved family classic is certaitly good. But beware for preschoolers! Some scenes might scare them!
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AGE
A true classic
Timothy Q. Mouse is a great role model, accepting Dumbo for who he is and helping him. Dumbo is adorable, and I admit to being more than a bit obsessed with Dumbo. Kids may be scared when Mrs. Jumbo gets locked up, but if parents watch the movie with their kids, it's fine. Watching it now and looking back, I realize that the crows represent racism, but at five, I didn't pick up on that (or however old I was when I saw it; my favorite stuffed animal is a Dumbo, and I've had him since I was 6 months old, so I may have been younger). I didn't pick up on Dumbo and Timothy getting drunk either (it was an accident how they did) and I just always thought they were acting silly. A classic, show it to your kids.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 14, 2011
AGE
RACIST
im an african american girl and this movie may be cute but i dont like the racism. for example, how the crows acted. did you know the lead crow was named JIM CROW? and, the part where the black people were putting up the circus tent, look up the lyrics.
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AGE
Now I Be Done Seeing About Everything!
Other than one scene where Dumbo drinks champagne that clowns spilled unknowingly, and the scene with Mrs. Jumbo tied up being sad there's nothing to really worry about. As for the crows being a stereotype, I agree it's wrong but children will think they're just animals with funny voices. It has a great message that being different is very fine. For what it's worth the drinking scene will probably make kids think that if they drink they'll have nightmares.
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AGE
Wonderful!
It's a wonderful movie, good for the young and old alike.
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| Topics: | friendship, wild animals |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Ben Sharpsteen |
| Cast: | Edward Brophy, Herman Bing, Sterling Holloway |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 63 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 31, 1941 |
| DVD release date: | September 19, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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