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Parents' Guide to

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Thrillingly energetic dances on film.

Movie NR 1954 102 minutes
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 10+

Based on 15 parent reviews

MidwichTriffid
MidwichTriffid Adult
December 4, 2019
age 8+
Baffled at people alluding that this movie promotes rape of any kind. From the minute Millie finds out what the boys have done she condemns their actions and banishes them to the barn for the winter. She makes is very clear that their actions were unacceptable and has put everyone at risk. Her earlier song encourages the boys to go courtin' and romance a lady, its their harebrained idea to follow the Roman example. I'm not saying that this movie isn't old fashioned and makes fun of some serious topics, but if you use your brain and engage in critical thinking you can see that this movie isn't telling people to go out and kidnap and rape people. Is it super convenient that the girls fall for the brothers, of course. Is this Stockholm syndrom? No, the boys were barely allowed to interact with the girls the whole time they were there, Millie made sure of that. If you are concerned that your kids are going to get the wrong idea and take away the wrong message, TALK TO YOUR CHILD. Operate on the understanding that your child has a base level of intelligence and explain that the past is different from now and that these sorts of things are not acceptable.
Audrey Serama
Audrey Serama Adult
February 2, 2021
age 2+

Fantastic film!

Amy one who say this movie is old fashioned, sexist, and promotes’rape culture’, is just plain ignorant. While the men kidnap do the girls, when the get back, they are punished for their actions by having to spend all of the winter in a barn while the girls get the house. There are clear consequences to their actions, and (Spoliers!) when the girls decide to stay, it is out of their own free will. Not correlated to Stockholm Syndrome, as they were rarely ever allowed to see the men. In all, this is a charming, classic film that will not teach any immoral behavior to your little ones.
See all 15 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In this beloved 1950s musical, handsome backwoodsman Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) has given himself one day to find a wife in town, to take back to his ranch. He meets Milly (Jane Powell), a spirited waitress, proposes, and she accepts, unaware that she'll also be housekeeper and cook to his six slovenly brothers. She tells the men they must learn to behave, and they eventually love and respect her and want wives of their own. At a barn raising, they each fall in love. Back at the ranch, they long for their girls and follow Adam's suggestion -- they go into town and steal them. But the furious women won't have anything to do with them, even though they are snowed in at the ranch until the spring thaw. Milly is so angry with Adam that he leaves to spend the rest of the winter in a hunting cabin, unaware that she is pregnant. The girls soften toward the brothers, and by spring, are ready to marry them, in one big ceremony. And Adam returns, realizing how much Milly means to him.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (15 ):
Kids say (12 ):

This movie includes some of the most thrillingly energetic dances ever put on film, including the classic barn-raising number (which unfortunately suffers on the small screen). Based on a short story by Stephen Vincent Benet, it is almost an icon of America as it saw itself in the 1950s -- brash, energetic, adventuresome, and cocky.

Some critics argue that the movie all but promotes rape, but that is unfair. Even though the girls are very attracted to the brothers, they are very angry at being kidnapped, and the brothers are banished to the barn. They must earn their way back into the girls' affections by treating them with courtesy and respect, and ultimately it is very much the girls' own decision to stay and marry them. With the help of youngest brother Gideon, Milly teaches Adam that even though she accepted his proposal quickly, she is still worth earning.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the barn raising dance number helps to tell the story. Milly and Adam get married very quickly without talking about what they want. How does that create problems? How does Milly show how important family is to her? Why is it hard for Adam to realize how important Milly is to him? How does Milly show how important family is to her? Why is it hard for Adam to realize how important Milly is to him?

Movie Details

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