Parents' Guide to

Silverado

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Classic '80s Western has violence, language.

Movie PG-13 1985 133 minutes
Silverado Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

MV_MV
MV_MV Adult
November 29, 2020
age 10+

Classic Western

Brotherhood, defense of principles and of the weak, and courage are all positive attributes presented in this classic Western. It’s as violent as the old west likely was, but the difference between those times and now are more evident to children than many might think. This is a tale wherein ingenuity, courage, conviction, selflessness, and good all ultimately triumph over evil, and as such it’s a pretty positive message for children. Without heroism in our literature and lore there would be no more heroes.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
mykidsawesome
mykidsawesome Parent
October 8, 2019
age 12+

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

SILVERADO is the town that brothers Emmett (Scott Glenn) and Jake (Kevin Costner) are riding to get to in this modern Western written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan. Emmett is fresh out of jail for a self-defense shooting. When he finds Jake, he has to break him out of jail, where he's awaiting hanging, for the same offense. They're heading for California and want to say good-bye to their sister and her family before making the move. Along the way, Emmett rescues Paden (Kevin Kline), a gambler who was mugged in the desert by some horse thieves who took his mount, gun, clothes, and favorite hat. In Silverado they run into old foes. The McKendricks are the rich town bullies who run black people off their property, among other nasty practices, and Cobb (Brian Dennehy) is a former swindler Paden used to run with. Now he's the sheriff, bought and paid for by McKendrick. Mal (Danny Glover) walks into a saloon one day. He's riding from Chicago to see his family in Silverado. The bartender calls him the "N" word and banishes him. Emmett and Jake witness the mistreatment and later they, Mal, and Paden all team up for a rescue-revenge operation against the McKendricks that combats murder, shootings, stabbings, kidnappings, arson, land theft, and other transgressions of the Old West.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

This film is a mix of classic Western and modern sensibility. Silverado has the awkwardness and art of a modern Western, with lots of smart-alecky remarks straight from the 1980s, and a cinematic sweep that echoes the images of John Ford and David Lean, even though such indulgences make the film a good half-hour longer than necessary. Director Kasdan also wrote Raiders of the Lost Ark, an equally smart-alecky movie set in the early 20th century, and he mimics the rousing, obvious orchestral cues of impending adventure and danger from that epic in this movie.

The movie is shaggy around the edges, with lots of great actors in unnecessary parts (Lynn Whitfield and Jeff Goldblum), but the cast is mostly attractive and fun to watch. Glenn as Emmett is the stereotypical old-school cowboy. He says little, can shoot straight, resorts to violence when necessary, and knows right from wrong, even when it's the law that's wrong. Costner plays Jake as an idiot party dude, often laughing inappropriately in the face of danger. In such perilous times, when everyone was packing and men drew their sidearms at the slightest offense, his demeanor doesn't seem believable. Still, teens who enjoy Westerns should like this one.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Westerns. What's the appeal? Why have they remained popular?

  • How does Silverado make it clear that life in the Old West was harsh?

  • How does this compare to other Westerns you've seen?

Movie Details

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