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The Enchanted Cottage

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    For Valentine's Day, try this romantic classic.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Tolerance of differences
  • Violence:

    None
  • Sex:

    None
  • Language:

    None
  • Consumerism:

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

    None

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Enchanted Cottage was written by Nell Minow

Parents need to know that this movie has no inappropriate content. It's made for true romantics at heart, so kids might find it boring.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how the writer and director help the viewer believe in the magic that Oliver and Laura feel. Why doesn't Oliver want to see his family? Do people in love see each other differently than other see them? Can you think of other movies or books where this happens?
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More on The Enchanted Cottage

What’s the Story?

In THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE, Mrs. Minnett (Mildred Natwick), a widow, owns a small cottage that she rents out to honeymoon couples. Some people believe there is a magic about the house that keeps the couples safe and happy. Laura (Dorothy McGuire) is a plain girl who comes to work in the house. Oliver (Robert Young), rich and careless, comes to see the house and reserves it for his honeymoon. But before his wedding, he is seriously injured. He comes to the cottage alone and bitter, to retreat from the world. Wanting to shield himself from his family and his former fiancee, he impulsively proposes to Laura, who accepts, but does not tell him that she loves him. He is so self-absorbed that he does not even wonder why she agrees. But the honeymoon cottage works its enchantment, and they realize that they have become beautiful and whole, and deeply in love. But when Oliver's family arrives, they cannot see the transformation. Oliver and Laura are crushed, until they realize that the enchantment was love, and that it would always make them beautiful to one another.

Is It Any Good?

Like the magic in the story, this movie is only for believers, but there are many cynics who have a special affection for what can only be called its enchantment. As Antoine de Saint-Exupery penned in The Little Prince, "It is only with the heart that once can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Many children will not have the patience for this story, but others will find it one of their favorite films.

Movie Details

Studio: RKO, Director: John Cromwell
Run time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release: 2/1/1999
MPAA Rating: NR

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    REMAKE this film for VETS, Others TODAY!!! Make DVD of it!

    The Enchanted Cottage (1945) again---enchanted me, the hypercritical movie lady. There's a POTENT secret to this cottage. A disfigured war vet whose well- off family...well...is embarrassed by him...whose planned marriage did not happen after his war injury...meets and feels sorry for...a homely but kind and good young woman. (The scene in the canteen where she sneaks out after none of the young soldiers will dance with her.. What pain!) SOMEBODY OUT THERE..REMAKE THIS FILM (OR AT LEAST PUT IT ON DVD) .this film was based on a play (so I hear) which was written actually for the FIRST world war. As many vets came home disfigured, this play was a way for young couples to see beneath the skin---to the soul. A STYLISH BUT SENSITIVE *MODERN* VERSION OF THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE WOULD BE A GREAT BOON TO VETS TODAY...many of whom are coming back missing limbs. Says great character actor Mildrid Natwick to the amazed young couple..."Shall I tell you the secret.....?" Find. Rent. Buy. Watch. Just see it!

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