 | 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. |
My Friend Flicka
- Review Date: October 6, 2005
- NR
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1943
Common Sense Media says
Classic horse story picks up in the second half.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that kids will see little that's threatening and nothing inappropriate. Although Ken's authoritarian father wants to shoot Flicka when the horse falls ill, he changes his mind.
What's the story?
On their Wyoming ranch, daydreamer Ken (Roddy McDowall) tends to be forgetful of his chores and battles with his autocratic father. But at the insistence of his mother, Ken's father lets him choose a colt to raise --Flicka. Ken works hard to train Flicka, but after great progress, the horse falls ill from an infected leg. Ken's father insists Flicka must be shot to avoid further suffering. Ken refuses to shoot her, instead attempting to nurse her back to health. When Ken falls ill himself, his father cannot bring himself to shoot Flicka. As Flicka recovers, so does Ken.
Is it any good?
MY FRIEND FLICKA may seem too dated for children who aren't crazy about horses and willing to sit through the slow first half. Ken's touching battle to win his father's approval and save the life of his colt eventually gains momentum. The first half is very slow, with numerous shots of fields, horses, fences, etc. Parents may want to fast forward to when Ken gets Flicka – the action speeds up, and the divergent beliefs of his mother and father intensify. Ken's father is an exacting man who believes in breaking animals and punishing children, while Ken's mother believes that animals, like people, respond to love. In the end, love is what saves Ken, his father, and even Flicka.
British child star Roddy McDowall doesn't sound as if he belongs on a Wyoming ranch, but his portrayal of a boy who learns the importance of love and responsibility rings true. The movie is faithful to Mary O'Hara's book of the same name, at times picking up whole pages of dialogue. Older kids who like the movie may be inspired to read the book.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the genre of horse stories. Do these movies have a formula? For example, do many of them feature a horse who nobody else believes in but his young owner? Does the horse usually prove his worth? Is this type of film meant to make you feel a certain way? How did this movie make you feel?
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Kid, 12 years old
April 18, 2010
AGE
Pretty Good Movie! Sweet Story!
Such a sweet story about a boy and his special horse Flicka. I think the new one is better but it is still a lovely movie. It goes on to being No2 Thunderhead, Son of Flicka and No3 Green Grass of Wyoming. I've seen them all and thoroughly enjoyed them (I LOVE all horse movies!!) but they are old and some of the scenes are a bit corny.
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Kid, 9 years old
October 11, 2009
AGE
perfect for any age
i love it will you be my friend.
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Parent of 3 and 7 year old
April 20, 2011
AGE
Classic
My son loved this story! He didn't seem to think it was slow to begin. Actually, he enjoyed the scenes of the horses galloping and all. The story tugged at his heartstrings.
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Harold D. Schuster |
| Cast: | Preston Foster, Rita Johnson, Roddy McDowall |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 89 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 26, 1943 |
| DVD release date: | March 11, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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