 | 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. |
Rabbit-Proof Fence
- Review Date: November 2, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Powerful drama about racism ok for tweens and up.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is an intense drama depicting three Aboriginal children leaving an Australian internment camp in an attempt to reunite with their families. The scene of the government official taking the children away is intensely emotional, though only moderately violent. During the journey home, the children are hidden by an Aboriginal servant in her bed, and her master is surprised when he goes to sleep with her and finds the children. A confrontation between a British official with a gun and an Aboriginal mother with a spear is tense, but results in no use of force.
What's the story?
Set in 1931, RABBIT-PROOF FENCE brings to the screen the horrific consequences of a British policy that removed Australian children who were of mixed white/Aboriginal background from their homes (a practice that continued until the 1970s). In this true story, Molly Craig (Everlyn Sampi), her sister Daisy (Tianna Sansbury), and their cousin Gracie (Laura Monaghan) are all "half castes," what the British call children of mixed-race couples. Their British fathers have long since left, and their homes are with their mothers in Jigalong, an area along a rabbit-proof fence that cuts through the middle of Australia. British officials, wanting to improve the upbringing of all half-castes, forcibly take the children to an internment camp where they are to be trained as domestic workers and integrated into society. Once there, Molly's longing for her home is so strong that she makes an escape with her sister and cousin, following the fence to get back to Jigalong.
Is it any good?
The children's performances are quite strong. While appearing courageous on their treacherous journey, they are also able to show their hidden fear. This film does not simply cast the British as unsympathetic villains; while they do believe the Aborignie is an inferior race to the British, their desire to recapture the escaped children is motivated at least partly by a fear for the children's well-being.
While the tale is emotionally charged, it is appropriate for any older children or tweens who are mature enough to handle the scene of the children being taken away from their parents.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about true stories. Do you believe that this movie is 100 percent fact? How would you find out? What do you think of popular movies' ability to tell history? Do you think you get an accurate picture of what happened? Does you care more than if you read about this practice in history book?
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AGE
i like it cause its to do with my culture but i dont like the part when the white men take the children away from there family:(
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AGE
Pretty Mild & a Good Story
This is one of those movies that I wouldn't be too concerned about my two year old being in the room while it was playing. When the girls are taken away, it's intense, but not violent. He just picks them up and puts them in a car. There wasn't any real abuse in the camp. One girl is put in confinement for running away, but again no violence. As for the sexual reference, it was vague. I didn't realize it myself till I read it on this site's overall review.
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| Topics: | history |
| Studio: | Miramax |
| Director: | Phillip Noyce |
| Cast: | David Gulpilil, Jason Clarke, Ningali Lawford |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 93 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 29, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | August 19, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | emotional thematic material. |
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