My 5-year-old boy loves knights, and there are very few video options that are age-appropriate for him which feature knights (The Sword in the Stone is one terrific exception). We both really enjoyed this Franklin video, which had enough adventure and knight imagery for him, and warm, caring and respectful characters that I feel good about introducing my son to. "Kid-tested, mother approved!"
Franklin and the Green Knight
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Franklin deals with sibling rivalry.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 4 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Franklin and the Green Knight was written by Peter Lewis
Parents need to know that Franklin contends with everyday yet big-time questions for preschoolers, such as being generous and expecting a new sibling. He makes honest mistakes and he learns to do the right thing. Also, this is a great DVD for kids who have younger siblings or who have a brother or sister on the way.
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 the things that Franklin learned in this story. What do you think is the most important thing about being an older sibling?
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More on Franklin and the Green Knight
What’s the Story?
In FRANKLIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT, Franklin's family is expecting a baby come springtime, but winter refuses to release its grip on Woodland, their rural home. While at first Franklin looks forward to being an older brother, his friends inform him of the downside to older brotherhood, in particular the loss of parental attention. Franklin's mother reads him the story of the Green Knight, the tale of another seemingly endless winter that is sent packing by a frog's heroics. Franklin decides that if he can fetch spring, all eyes will be on him. He sails forth with his squire Snail (who has a few issues of his own regarding the potential loss of Franklin's attentions) and returns not just with spring, but the same lesson the Green Knight learned: Doing good isn't good enough if you are doing it for the wrong reasons.
Is It Any Good?
In his television show and his videos, Franklin and his lessons have come in bite-sized chunks. This movie impressively juggles more than one theme--sibling rivalry, altruism, friendship--without losing its young audience. It does so by not only providing a captivating story, but by also letting kids use their intuition to figure out how the characters feel. It didn't take a four-year-old viewer long before he had found the key to Snail's pregnant silences: "He thinks Franklin's going to go away." Ouch.
As ever, Franklin offers hope. Life may present some pretty hurtful riddles, but the balm that comes from solving them is always better than the ache of avoidance. After an encounter with Franklin, kids are always left with the feeling, by jiminy, that it's great to be alive.
Movie Details
Studio: Umvd, Director: John van Bruggen
Run time: 75 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/19/2003, DVD release: 8/19/2003
MPAA Rating: NR
Run time: 75 minutes
Theatrical release: 8/19/2003, DVD release: 8/19/2003
MPAA Rating: NR
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on and give it
Little Knights will Love it!
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I rate this title on and give it
it was accually pretty good, EVEN for a ten year old!!!!!!!
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