Sleeping Beauty

Movie review by Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media
Sleeping Beauty Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 5+

Disney classic is delightful but sometimes scary.

G 1959 75 minutes
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Parents say

age 6+

Based on 29 reviews

Kids say

age 6+

Based on 66 reviews

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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, for most kids, the scariest part of Disney's classic, Sleeping Beauty, will be the prince's fight with the dragon; he fights with a sword and almost falls from a cliff. Other scary moments involve the witch Maleficent and her ogre-like goons; Maleficent kidnaps the prince, and the goons beat him up (mostly shown in shadow). She also shoots lightning bolts with her staff and at one point dissolves into a green mist. Maleficent sys "fools," "idiots," and "imbeciles" and makes a reference to "hell." There's one notable drinking scene where the two kings toast to their children's impending nuptials, and the attending minstrel sneaks enough wine to get drunk, falling down under the table and hiccuping.

Community Reviews

meydiana.rizki
meydiana.rizki Adult
April 10, 2021
age 10+

Such a epic classic!

Not insulting Disney, this just does not seem like a Disney film. There are many scary scenes (which are likely to disturb anyone aged under 9 or so) and there are many scenes that will make much more sense to adults than to children. There are also many references to what life was like in the Medieval ages (not counting the fantasy scenes of course), including the fact that it was quite normal (or even a little late) for girls to marry when they are 16. In none of Disney's other films is there this kind of reference. Aside of these points, there is stunning Disney charm, animation, humour for just about everyone and this film also includes pieces from Tchaicovsky's ballet. The characters and plot of course also help make up this wonderful animated film. The only negative point is the fact that it strays quite far from the original fairy tale, but in some cases this is not really a bad thing. You may know the story already. A baby girl is born to a king and queen and three good fairies bless the child with a gift. Although - at first it is only two. Just as the third fairy is about to bless her gift, the bad fairy Malecifent gives the baby a bad gift, that she will die on her 16th birthday. The good fairy helps turn this around, but only in a little way... Recommended to anyone who likes the fairytale, the ballet or the princess stuff of "Sleeping Beauty". Enjoy! :-)

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
Lebron12James3
Lebron12James3 Adult
March 23, 2022
age 18+

Curious George goes on a journey to find Shrek

1 person found this helpful.
See all 29 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In SLEEPING BEAUTY, The King and Queen happily celebrate the birth of their daughter, Princess Aurora. The young Prince, who is betrothed to the baby, and three good fairies join the celebration. But wicked fairy Maleficent isn't included, so she angrily casts a spell on the baby Princess: When she turns 16, she'll prick her finger and die. The good fairies can't remove the spell, but they change it from death to a deep sleep from which Aurora can be awakened only by love's first kiss. For her protection, Aurora is sent to live with the good fairies in a woodsy cottage until her 16th birthday is over. The fairies can't use magic because it would lead Maleficent to the princess. Aurora (called Briar Rose) grows up and meets the Prince, and they fall in love. But Aurora can't escape the spell -- she pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. Maleficent captures the prince, but the fairies help him escape. In a last-ditch effort, Maleficent turns herself into a terrifying dragon and sets out to stop the Prince for good.

Is It Any Good?

This is a classic Disney animated feature, and many parents and kids will find the hand-drawn animation refreshing compared to today's mostly computer-animated fare. Children also may enjoy the little squabbles of the three good fairies, which may remind them of arguments with their siblings. Be aware that there are some intense, scary scenes involving Maleficent and the fire-breathing dragon. Sleeping Beauty gives parents a chance to expose young ones to classical music; the score is based on Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" ballet.

As in Snow White, a sleeping princess can only be awakened by a kiss from the prince. Psychiatrist Bruno Bettelheim and others have written extensively about the meaning of these stories and the ways in which they symbolize the transition to adulthood and sexual awakening. Bettelheim's theory was that such fairy tales begin to prepare children for developments they're not ready to assimilate consciously.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about scary villains in Sleeping Beauty. Is Maleficent scarier than, say, Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians? How about the witch from Snow White?

  • For kids who like the movies Shrek and Enchanted, what did those movies imitate from this one?

  • What is a classic? Why do you think this movie is considered a classic?

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