 | 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. |
The Incredible Mr. Limpet
- Review Date: November 19, 2007
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1964
Common Sense Media says
Classic, silly Don Knotts fish-in-water fantasy.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie discusses death and shows Henry falling into the ocean as a fun, comic thing that doesn't hurt him. The movie also acknowledges "spawning" so kids may ask for an explanation.
What's the story?
In the 1964 live action/animation film THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET, Don Knotts plays Henry Limpet, a fervently patriotic but laughably unhealthy accountant whose bad eyesight and poor balance keep him from enlisting in the Navy. Since the film is set in 1941, that's a big deal. So instead, Limpet loses himself in the world of his fish and in his fantasies of one day becoming one of them (he carries around a book called The Theory of Reverse Evolution). But when he's lured into the water off Coney Island, a remarkable thing happens. He gets his wish, and suddenly he can serve his country in a way he never dreamed possible, helping foil U-boat attacks by the Nazis.
Is it any good?
This has everything a good children's movie should: celebration of imagination, a lovable main character with which kids can identify, some silly and fun songs, and cartoons. Throw in some explosions and espionage, and you have a film kids will love and that adults may remember fondly from their own childhoods. And adults may get a kick out of the truly X-Files-ish moment when Stickel (Jack Weston) and Harlock (Andrew Duggan) pull out the file on Mr. Limpet 20 years later.
So what's not to love here? It's a small gripe, but worth mentioning: Ladyfish, Henry's underwater love interest, is a simpering idiot. Unlike Henry's caustic human wife (Carole Cook), who has her own likes and dislikes, Ladyfish (Elizabeth MacRae) purrs out her words, offers herself to him on their first meeting, and seems to have no desires of her own except to be with him -- something worth pointing out to girls watching with you.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about finding the right niche for you. Could Henry be as happy as a man as he was as a fish? Would it be fun to be a fish? What important equipment are humans missing?
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AGE
This film prooves that movies can be enjoyable without drugs, sex, or violence.
Cute and funny yet enjoyable for everyone, not just kids, though they probably like it more. Thank goodness for little brothers. Without them I would have probably passed this movie by. ~Ivey
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AGE
Paints a picture of marriage I would just rather steer clear of
There is a bizarre slant to this movie; what with Don Knotts leaving his loveless marriage to become a fish - and fall in love with a ladyfish. Plus you have the friend going out dancing with his now-widow. It doesn't seem to have it's heart in the right place. Plus it's all set against the backdrop of the War. And of Limpet longing to be both a fish and war hero. I think it was interesting for its time, but that time has passed.
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AGE
Nothing Fishy!
Films that take place during World War II, hardly ever get as light hearted as this movie. Henry is a good role model, when he helps his country and uses his secret power (secret until you watch the movie) to save Ladyfish , Crusty, and America. The scene where torpedos chase Henry and Crusty can be a little intense, but they think of a way to escape.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, ocean creatures |
| Studio: | Warner Home Video |
| Director: | Arthur Lubin |
| Cast: | Carole Cook, Don Knotts, Jack Weston |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 28, 1964 |
| DVD release date: | October 1, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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