Parents' Guide to

Hogfather

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Long fantasy best for fans of Terry Pratchett's book.

Movie NR 2008 189 minutes
Hogfather Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 13+

Based on 5 parent reviews

SebProsser
SebProsser Adult
January 4, 2020
age 11+

Good Off Centre Christmas Movie

Watching both instalments of this mini-series comes as a 3 hour experience. The story revolves around a female role model, and concludes with strong messages about the "true meaning of Hogswatch (Christmas)". There are a few stabbings throughout the movie, but no blood, so this film should be fine for most 11+ tweens.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
MuffinsMummy
MuffinsMummy Parent of 5-year-old
March 21, 2012
age 12+

Stunning film, but not for younger kids.

This is a fantastic film in every sense of the word - it is long, but as a very faithful adaptation of a Discworld novel, it needs to be. Parents should know that this is NOT intended as a kids' movie. Mr Teatime is extremely creepy. People are murdered, and whilst the character of Death is played for laughs (to an adult audience), children may find the image of Death-dressed-as-Santa rather disturbing. That said, teenagers old enough to deal with the violence and the sophisticated themes are likely to enjoy the irreverence and off-centre nature of Pratchett's humour. There are also definite moral positives. The central theme is the importance of belief, which is relevant not only to children and/or the religious (in fact it is not presented in a religious way at all). Also, I can't believe noone has mentioned what an amazing character Susan is! Not only is she an incredibly strong, responsible, intelligent and no-nonsense female character, but she actively teaches these same values to the children she babysits. I love this movie, and highly recommend it - but my daughter won't be seeing it for a long while yet.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's Hogswatch Eve in the Discworld, a planet that drifts through space on the back of a giant turtle. Hogswatch is a bit like Christmas, except the guy who plays Santa is a hog-faced god who drinks sherry and eats the pork pies that the children leave for him. At the start of this two-part movie, the head of the Guild of Assassins is approached by a spectre who represents a group of otherworldly "auditors." These auditors feel that the Hogfather should be eliminated because having children believe in fairy tales is bad for the cosmic order of the universe. The head of the Guild assigns a very creepy Mr. Teatime (Mark Warren) to "inhume" the Hogfather and bring an end to Hogswatch. However, Death (voiced by Ian Richardson) realizes that the Hogfather has disappeared and makes an effort to take the Hogfather's place, delivering goodies and toys to girls and boys. As he is busy trying to get all of the presents to the homes, Mr. Teatime has brought a band of no-gooders to the Tooth Fairy's castle so as to shatter the most basic childhood beliefs. Susan (Michelle Dockery) discovers this plot, and being the granddaughter of Death, uses her magic powers to stop Mr. Teatime and save Hogswatch once and for all.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (4):

Though it is beautfully staged and well-acted, this adaptation of Terry Pratchett's book chases its own tail. The jist of the message is that humans need to have belief in certain things, such as the Tooth Fairy or Hogfather (or Santa, on Earth). However, the whole of Discworld where the characters live is teeming with fantasy creatures that are certainly real in their world. It makes believing in a gift-giving hog god no stretch at all.

Those who enjoyed the book will appreciate the details (Susan reading a very grim tale at the start of the film, a tiny grim-reaper mouse collecting dead mouse souls, the God of Hangovers falling in love with the Tooth Fairy, etc..) that the makers of this movie have brought to life. But viewers who have not read the book will be confused by the rules of this world, and moreover might be creeped out by some of the characters. The monsters under the bed are real, and Death -- though pragmatic and sensitive -- has a face only his mother could love.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Hogswatch is a little bit like Christmas, except that Santa there is a Hog-faced god who flies through the air pulled by wild boars. How else does Hogswatch differ from our Christmas? How does the Discworld differ from Earth?

  • Belief is a major theme running through the movie. What beliefs are important to you?

Movie Details

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