Peter Pan
Stereotypes mar otherwise jaunty Disney adventure classic.
Parents say
Based on 54 reviews
Kids say
Based on 57 reviews
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Peter Pan
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Peter Pan is Disney's classic take on J.M. Barrie's story of The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. It's a tale of courage, magic, and imagination -- and a reminder that growing up means taking responsibility -- but it's also occasionally a disturbing, violent story of what happens when kids must fend for themselves. Characters drink and smoke, and at one point kids smoke from a ceremonial pipe. Offensive stereotypes and themes range from the "What Makes the Red Man Red" song and the depiction of Chief (voiced by Candy Candido) and his tribe to the way all the girls are jealous of both one another and of Peter's (Bobby Driscoll) affections. Peter even says "Girls talk too much," and Captain Hook (Hans Conried) alludes to how "jealous girls" are easy to trick. These cultural relics have aged poorly; make sure to talk about why they're problematic with your kids. A song about how kids need a mother and the concept of "real" mothers could also be upsetting for kids who have a different family structure.
Community Reviews
Enjoyable but is a bit dated.
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What's the Story?
In PETER PAN, three London siblings, Wendy (Kathryn Beaumont), Michael (Tommy Luske), and John Darling (Paul Collins) meet Peter Pan (Bobby Driscoll), a hero from their bedtime stories who flies in through their nursery window. He sprinkles them with fairy dust and they set off to a magical place called Neverland. There, they meet his friends, the Lost Boys, and go off on adventures where they must escape the clutches of the cruel Captain Hook (Hans Conried) and his pirate crew before returning safely back home to their world.
Is It Any Good?
The animation in this film is as lively as its energetic hero. Peter Pan's scenes set in Victorian London are beautiful, and the shift in perspective as the children round Big Ben and fly off to Neverland is a magical moment. Most kids see Peter as that wonderful ideal, a child with the power to do whatever he pleases for as long as he pleases, which still offers a wonderful sense of escapism many decades on.
The story has moments that are whimsical but odd: The Darlings' nanny is a dog, Peter loses his shadow, and the Lost Boys have no parents (and, unlike Peter, no special powers or fairy guardian). Some kids may find this engaging, but some may find it troublesome or worry about what happened to Peter's parents -- or be upset by the parting that comes at the end. There are also lots of racial and sexist stereotypes that haven't aged well and mar this classic adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of never growing up in Peter Pan. Have you ever thought that you didn't want to grow up, or that you'd like to be a grown-up right now? What do you think are some of the differences between kids and grown-ups?
What kinds of stereotypes do you recognize in the movie? How do they make you feel? Why are accurate depictions in the media important?
Do you notice a difference in the way male and female characters are portrayed in the film? Does this seem realistic? Can you think of other movies that lean into similar stereotypes?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 5, 1953
- On DVD or streaming: March 6, 2007
- Cast: Bobby Driscoll, Hans Conried, Kathryn Beaumont
- Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Wilfred Jackson
- Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Book Characters, Music and Sing-Along, Pirates
- Character Strengths: Courage
- Run time: 76 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Peter Pan (2003)
Charming live-action tale has intense peril, some violence.
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Hook
Clumsy mishmash of a comedy has violence, profanity.
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Tinker Bell
Sweet, simple story is best for young Tink fans.
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Finding Neverland
Emotional J.M. Barrie biopic has some mature themes.
For kids who love adventure
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