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Pete's Dragon (G, 1977)

common sense media says

Offbeat live-action/animation mix with lots of drinking.

parents & educators say
  • 75% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 50% say violence is an issue
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that several characters in this movie get quite drunk. There are some fight scenes (though they are mild) and a scene of a teacher hitting a student.

Positive messages: Though the heavy drinking does seem to put a weird stagger on the material, most of this is Disney-safe, with the message about holding out hope and maintaining childlike innocence and optimism. Expectedly, most grownups, except the villains, don't believe that Pete actually has a dragon, and adult-authority figures tend to be buffoons.
Positive role models: Pete is a nice, honest orphan kid, though kind of one-note in that he’s mostly either being chased or chastising Elliott to behave. Pete never endorses Elliott using his strength or flaming breath against antagonists, and Elliott saves a bunch of townspeople in the end. On the other hand, a schoolteacher is depicted as a particularly nasty and negative character. Pete’s evil-but-dumb adoptive family, the rustic Gogans, are stereotyped hillbillies.
Violence & scariness: Comical roughhousing, as Elliott (sometimes visible, sometimes not), knocks villains around -- usually into the water -- with his tail, or the bad guys get caught up in their own snares. A few "comical" songs in which the villains sing about either cutting up Elliott for medicinal ingredients or abusing/killing young Pete (roasting the boy "gently" on a BBQ, for instance).
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Was the sequel called Pete’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings? Extravagant drinking imagery pervades, with Mickey Rooney’s grandfatherly character as the town drunk. Other characters are repeatedly shown drinking or talking about drinking. Elliott the dragon himself imbibes of a flask. One guy, when he says he’s witnessed a dragon, is accused of being drunk -- and advised to have a drink and get over it (!?). Raucous musical number in a saloon featuring rolling barrels and a final shower of beer suds (predicting the "foam parties" that would be popular with youth decades later).
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More on Pete's Dragon

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about what they'd do with a dragon of their own.

  • Discuss Pete's situation and how sometimes people have to find their real families.

What's the story?

What's the story?

This Disney musical about a boy and his dragon centers on Pete, an orphan who has been sold to an abusive backwoods family. Pete is befriended by Elliott, a rotund, friendly, and often mischievous dragon. Together they run away to a small Maine town, where they meet Lampey the lighthouse keeper (Mickey Rooney) and his daughter Nora (Helen Reddy). Of course the bad backwoods family comes looking for Pete, and there is another complex subplot involving a quack doctor (Jim Dale) and his often-drunk sidekick (Red Buttons) who have their own plans for Elliott. There is a disastrous first day of school for Pete (in which his hands are hit with a stick by his teacher), many mishaps involving the mayor, and some wet cement that gets mucked up over and over again.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The interaction of people and animation in PETE'S DRAGON is surprisingly good, but the movie itself falls rather flat. The biggest problem is the songs, which are utterly forgettable, which is not a great feature for a musical.

The story is a good one and there's a certain sweetness to the proceedings, but also a combination of predictability and noisy chaos that will make this better viewing for kids than for their parents. The message, about finding love and security in a crazy world, is a good one, and children will find this an entertaining and enjoyable viewing experience.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Don Chaffey
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Sean Marshall, Shelley Winters
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 128 minutes
Theatrical release: November 3, 1977
DVD release: August 18, 2009
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by Sarah Wenk
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 75% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

ChronoTrigger
teen, 16 years old
6
 
Best movie ever!
I think some people here are being too sensitive. The drinking just doesn't affect the viewers. I've watched this movie since I was 1 or 2 years old, and I've never drank a drop of alcohol- I steer clear of it. And, the violence from Pete's teacher is normal, even in the 21st century. I'm in a private high school, and teachers have done that before (Of course, they've gotten fired for it, though). The movie has great role models, notably Nora. She's all for protecting Pete and giving him love and support.
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Gergie
parent of 6 and 8 year old
6
 
Not what we want our kids (5,7) to see
Didn't really care for it - the scene of the teacher caning Pete's hands is inappropriate for this day and age. This is a movie that was OK in its time but not great now.
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Ba movie girl
adult
7
 
One of the best Disney movies ever made
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (14) | read my mind (10)
zackaback
teen, 17 years old
4
 
Hated It!
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AmyPags
parent of 3 and 4 year old
4
 
I remember this movie from when I was young and I loved it. I rented it for my son, age 4 -- he loved it, although I had to fast forward thru quite a bit. Micky Rooney as the town drunk is no longer appropriate, the hillbilly family who purchased Pete was nasty and name-calling, the cruel teacher was over the top, and the con men bad guys were a little violent. Most of this went over his head, but I did not want him to see it anyway. also a little long for young children, so if you can skip through the inappropriate bits, it might be okay for slightly older children.
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nicholio
parent of 5 year old
4
 
I don't think my daughter even notices the drinking. The 'dirty people' scare her, but we talked about it and sometimes fast-forward. She loves the songs and Elliot
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (9)

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