Fantastic Planet (PG, 1973)
common sense media says
A jarring examination of racism and intolerance.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that mature themes (racial and cultural intolerance) are the central issues of this film. Frequently disturbing imagery and an odd sexual scenes make this one appropriate only for older kids. Kids will see alien creatures eat each other and human-like creatures get stomped on by much larger aliens and killed by alien contraptions. A humanoid casually kills an animal with a knife. Some scenes show large groups of people killed en masse. At one point, the planet's dominant race of Traggs adopts a policy of genocide against the subservient race of human-like Oms. Characters appear in various degrees of nudity. In the film's strangest moment, we see how the Tragg race mates. Their mental forms (depicted as bubbles with a Tragg inside) attach themselves to the necks of headless nude statues, which then proceed to dance with one another!
Violence:
In the style of fantasy violence, alien creatures eat each other, humans get stomped on by much larger aliens and are killed by alien contraptions. A human casually kills an animal with a knife. Some scenes show large groups of people killed en masse.
Sex:
Characters appear in various degrees of nudity. In the film's strangest moment, we see how the Tragg race mates. Their mental forms (depicted as bubbles with a Tragg inside) attach themselves to the necks of headless nude statues, which then proceed to dance with one another!
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not applicable.
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Most useful reviews by all members
frankwhim
adult
adult
I wish more people knew about this film
This is a wonderful film. The strange, dream-like animation is great to watch, and the story is intriguing and thought-provoking. But I don't think that this film addresses racism. Rather I believe it is an examination of the ways in which we treat animals. The Draags see the Oms as a species fit only for being kept as pets or exterminated, which is what we do with many animals, especially those much smaller than us, as the Oms are to the Draags. One scene in the beginning shows a young Draag tormenting a terror-stricken Om in much the same manner as a child will treat a small insect. It was such a familiar thing to see that it brought the theme of the movie into sharp focus for me. Something to keep in mind is that the sexual aspects of the film are presented in such a surreal, unearthly manner that they seem almost scientific, like a nature documentary or something of the sort. I reccommend watching this film in its original language, as the English version makes the movie seem even more detached from reality.
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