Common Sense Media Review
By Sabrina McFarland
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful portrait of a civil rights champion; violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE REBELLIOUS LIFE OF MRS. ROSA PARKS is a documentary based on the book of the same name by author and historian Jeanne Theoharis. The film is the first full-length presentation about Parks, the Black civil rights activist and seamstress, who is best known for her historic role in the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott to end racially segregated public transportation. The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks includes archival footage, firsthand interviews, and exclusive audio recordings of Parks.
Is It Any Good?
This film does justice to the civil rights activist who set out to end injustice. The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Parks offers kids and teens a comprehensive account of the Alabama native's life that begins as a Black child growing up in the U.S. segregated South during the early 20th century. Parks reveals that she had to walk three miles to go to school. "I'd see the bus pass by my house every day," she recalls, and "the bus was among the first ways that I realized that there was a Black world and a White world." It's an experience that later leads Parks on a path to the U.S. civil rights movement, which includes the launch of a landmark boycott to end bus segregation. "We are not in a struggle against Black and White," she says, "but wrong and right."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the courage of Rosa Parks in The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks. How does she also demonstrate communication and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
Before the bus boycott, Parks was involved in voter registration rights. Why was this issue important to the activist? How is this same topic relevant today?
How does the civil rights movement teamwork from the past compare to the actions of activists now? What are the differences and similarities?
Parks shares her compassion for the rights of others through social activism. Would you consider becoming an advocate for a cause? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 19, 2022
- Cast : Rosa Parks , LisaGay Hamilton , Jeanne Theoharis
- Directors : Yoruba Richen , Johanna Hamilton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Peacock
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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