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The Winslow Boy

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Dialogue-heavy period drama too slow for most tweens.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, family relationships, gender issues, honesty

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    With no evidence to support the teen's claim to innocence besides his word, the family sacrifices significant time, effort, and money to uphold his honor. The message that children are to be believed and that their dignity is something worth fighting for is powerful.

  • Role models:

    Each character is devoted to his cause and passionate about doing the right thing. The daughter is a suffragette and she defends her position with strength. She's clearly very intelligent and engaged in the legal process, and she's also able to realize when her prejudices have led her astray.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Background references to war and the military. A few emotionally tense scenes, including parents arguing in front of teen.

  • Sex:

    One brief passionate kiss between adults. One discussion about adult man fooling around with adult woman.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Near constant smoking, though in a historical context. The young woman prides herself on "indulging" in smoking cigarettes to prove herself a feminist. Occasional drinking by adults.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Winslow Boy

Parents need to know that this period drama is almost completely chaste. An adult couple shares one passionate kiss, and there is some discussion about adults embracing romantically, but otherwise the film relies on subtle romantic tension. The pre-World War I setting references the military and the possibility of war, but only as a background element.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about honesty. In the movie, the boy claims he is innocent of the charge against him. Have you ever been accused of something you didn't do?
  • How does the boy make his family believe him?
  • Why does the family sacrifice so much just to prove the boy's innocence?
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