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Haunted History

(Rated TV-PG, Educational, Where to watch: History, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Eerie but educational docu looks at ghostly legends.

Themes in this show include:   revenge

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Overall, the show is educational, offering insight into the belief systems and rituals of different cultures. That said, many of the stories are steeped in superstition.
 

What to watch out for

  • Role models:

    Some stories involve murder and suicide, which are hardly behavior examples for kids. But the featured historians/experts provide educational information.

  • Violence:

    The show features reenactments of violent murders (like people being killed with hatchets), suicides, and accidental deaths (like a child falling to his death), but no blood is shown. Some legends claim that the victims eventually become ghosts and/or that murderers are targeted by phantom beings.

  • Sex:

    Some of the featured ghostly legends note that the "love of a good woman" is what's necessary to help those who haunt move on.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Many of the reenactments show historical figures drinking mugs of ale, rum, and brandy. Some reenactments and actual photographs occasionally show historical figures smoking cigars. One legend talks about a ghost that appeared as a ship passenger slit his own neck in a drunken suicide.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Haunted History

Parents need to know that this series -- which looks at historical figures, places, and events and their relationship to hauntings and other creepy phenomena. -- may be too scary for younger and/or more sensitive viewers. Most episodes include reenactments of violent murders and/or tragic accidents, but no real blood is shown. Superstitions and various rituals are discussed, and some reenactments include drinking and and cigarette and cigar smoking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how ghosts and supernatural phenomena are typically treated in the media. Where do these interpretations come from? Are they based on historical legends? Somebody’s imagination?
  • Why do cultures pass down legends and superstitions? Were you raised with any ghost stories or superstitions? Why do you think they were told to you? Was it to teach you specific lessons? To scare you?
  • Do you believe in ghosts?
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