Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

Thrillingly energetic dances on film.

NR 1954 102 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 10+

Based on 14 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 10 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that some critics have complained that this movie all but promotes rape, but that's unfair. Ultimately it is very much the girls' own decision to stay and marry. Milly wants to be seen as a partner who has opinions and value, not a servant without wages. The girls want to be asked, not kidnapped.

Community Reviews

MidwichTriffid
MidwichTriffid Adult
December 4, 2019
age 8+
Baffled at people alluding that this movie promotes rape of any kind. From the minute Millie finds out what the boys have done she condemns their actions and banishes them to the barn for the winter. She makes is very clear that their actions were unacceptable and has put everyone at risk. Her earlier song encourages the boys to go courtin' and romance a lady, its their harebrained idea to follow the Roman example. I'm not saying that this movie isn't old fashioned and makes fun of some serious topics, but if you use your brain and engage in critical thinking you can see that this movie isn't telling people to go out and kidnap and rape people. Is it super convenient that the girls fall for the brothers, of course. Is this Stockholm syndrom? No, the boys were barely allowed to interact with the girls the whole time they were there, Millie made sure of that. If you are concerned that your kids are going to get the wrong idea and take away the wrong message, TALK TO YOUR CHILD. Operate on the understanding that your child has a base level of intelligence and explain that the past is different from now and that these sorts of things are not acceptable.
1 person found this helpful.
jymn
jymn Adult
March 4, 2019
age 18+

Maybe useful for educating people about rape culture...

This is basically a propaganda movie for how good and wonderful it is to violate consent. You could use this movie to start a meaningful discussion about how people can make even a terrible, evil thing look nice and fun. People who say this movie isn't about rape culture, don't understand the insidious nature of that culture. This movie takes place in a make-believe universe where kidnapping someone is A-OK and will cause them to fall in love with you. A universe where "No" means "just force me and I'll start to like it." Disgusting. And the fact that it's all dressed up with happy songs and cute romance just makes it more sickening. I would show my kids this movie at the same age I would show them the 24 TV show, which is set in a make believe universe where torture is quick, easy and effective. Then we could talk about how dangerous these false ideas are and how they can effect people's lives in the real world
1 person found this helpful.
See all 14 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In this beloved 1950s musical, handsome backwoodsman Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) has given himself one day to find a wife in town, to take back to his ranch. He meets Milly (Jane Powell), a spirited waitress, proposes, and she accepts, unaware that she'll also be housekeeper and cook to his six slovenly brothers. She tells the men they must learn to behave, and they eventually love and respect her and want wives of their own. At a barn raising, they each fall in love. Back at the ranch, they long for their girls and follow Adam's suggestion -- they go into town and steal them. But the furious women won't have anything to do with them, even though they are snowed in at the ranch until the spring thaw. Milly is so angry with Adam that he leaves to spend the rest of the winter in a hunting cabin, unaware that she is pregnant. The girls soften toward the brothers, and by spring, are ready to marry them, in one big ceremony. And Adam returns, realizing how much Milly means to him.

Is It Any Good?

This movie includes some of the most thrillingly energetic dances ever put on film, including the classic barn-raising number (which unfortunately suffers on the small screen). Based on a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet, it is almost an icon of America as it saw itself in the 1950s -- brash, energetic, adventuresome, and cocky.

Some critics argue that the movie all but promotes rape, but that is unfair. Even though the girls are very attracted to the brothers, they are very angry at being kidnapped, and the brothers are banished to the barn. They must earn their way back into the girls' affections by treating them with courtesy and respect, and ultimately it is very much the girls' own decision to stay and marry them. With the help of youngest brother Gideon, Milly teaches Adam that even though she accepted his proposal quickly, she is still worth earning.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the barn raising dance number helps to tell the story. Milly and Adam get married very quickly without talking about what they want. How does that create problems? How does Milly show how important family is to her? Why is it hard for Adam to realize how important Milly is to him? How does Milly show how important family is to her? Why is it hard for Adam to realize how important Milly is to him?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Oklahoma! Poster Image

    Oklahoma!

    Excellent singing and dancing in '50s musical.

    age 8+
  • State Fair Poster Image

    State Fair

    Love and Rodgers & Hammerstein music in 1940s Iowa.

    age 6+
  • Carousel Poster Image

    Carousel

    Not like sunny Oklahoma! -- much darker.

    age 11+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate