Parents' Guide to

Almost Angels

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Boys lift each other in music and friendship in gentle drama

Movie NR 1962 93 minutes
Almost Angels Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Almost Angels Movie: Vincent Winter
  • Almost Angels Movie: Scene 2
  • Almost Angels Movie: Scene 3

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 3 parent reviews

heavenisforreal
heavenisforreal Parent of 13 and 16-year-old
September 6, 2021
age 8+

Lovely old movie, beautiful music.

This old film was a delight to view. Any child who appreciates music will enjoy this beautiful movie.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
bigmoviefan2020
bigmoviefan2020 Adult
November 25, 2020
age 6+

Poeticly good/drama

G
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ALMOST ANGELS, Tony (Vincent Winter) is a 12-year-old Austrian boy who loves to sing and wants more than anything to audition for the prestigious Vienna Boys' Choir. He and his musical mother must persuade his father that he can have a good life as a musician and that the choir and its school could be a good place for him to start. He quickly earns a place as a soloist but this proves difficult for Peter (Sean Scully), the oldest boy in their group, who has always performed the solos that are now too high for his voice. At first jealous and unwelcoming, Peter sabotages Tony, locking him in a room as he is about to make his entrance during a performance. When Peter realizes that he can teach Tony to be a better singer, they become friends. Tony returns the favor when he hears Peter cracking at his high notes right before an important performance. All the boys know that this means Peter's voice has "broken," making him ineligible to sing in the choir. To save Peter, Tony arranges for another boy to sing for Peter while he lip-synchs on stage. Peter walks off in the middle of the performance, risking his spot in the choir's upcoming tour to Australia. His choir master, Mr. Heller (Peter Weck), argues to the school's board that Peter is a talented composer and conductor as well as a singer and that he could come on tour as an assistant conductor. The soaring concert the choir gives in Sydney launches young Peter on the next part of his musical education.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (3):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Although it's from the 1960s, this Disney movie has held up. The beauty of Almost Angels is that it not only shows the humanity and real struggles of young kids in a pressurized environment -- a prestigious music school and professional troupe of performers -- but it also models enlightened educators working to support their students as they grow. There are no ruthless punishers here, or uncaring teachers who toss boys out the moment their voices get too low. No one is expelled for mediocre grades. No one is punished for imperfect behavior. And the backdrop for it all is an inspiring soundtrack of Strauss, Mozart, Schubert, and other great composers delivered by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the pure voices of the world's most famous boys' choir. Parents and kids can enjoy this together and find lots to talk about regarding passion, talent, disappointment, and how to move on when things don't go exactly your way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Tony's father didn't want him to audition for the Vienna Boys' Choir. Why did the father change his mind?

  • As one of the older boys, Peter knew his voice was getting too deep to sing the highest solos. Why do you think he treated Tony badly at first? Why do you think he eventually changed his behavior toward Tony?

  • A teacher saw the boys having a pillow fight but he didn't stop them or punish them. Why do you think he acted as he did?

Movie Details

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