Where the Red Fern Grows

Movie review by Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media
Where the Red Fern Grows Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Moving version of the classic novel.

G 1974 97 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 9+

Based on 8 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 15 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the movie casts an unflinching gaze on the hard lives of its characters. Kids who watch this movie will see a boy take a fatal fall onto an axe and a dog die in a mountain lion attack. The film extols the value of hard work and loyalty to build character, and offers a realistic, unflinching look at backwoods life in the 1930s.

Community Reviews

Sarbut8182
Sarbut8182 Adult
December 7, 2019
age 8+

Family movie

I honestly believe this is a great movie for a family movie night. My 8 year old and I watched this movie hoping it would be ok. I had to explain a few parts to her but other than that it’s a great move that showed Love.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
slbsis
slbsis Adult
August 13, 2014
age 9+

Book is better

We just finished the book as a summer read-aloud (and yes, all three of us cried at the end) and I had found the movie at a yard sale so we watched it tonight. I was surprised to hear a "d--n" and "h--l" several times in a G rated movie, especially circa 1974. These are in the book, too, but since I was reading it out loud, I replaced them with a more acceptable term. We were expecting the violence (which in my opinion is much more graphically described in the book than shown in the movie) and sad ending so that was OK. As is usually the case, the book is faaaar more descriptive and you are in Billy's head much more than came across in the movie. A lot is omitted and some scenes are changed completely, including the great coon hunt ending. But enjoyable - just wanted to point out the couple of bad words that are not mentioned on this site :)
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS, young Billy Coleman works odd jobs so he can buy a pair of coonhounds. The dogs, Dan and Ann, don't disappoint. With training, they develop quite a reputation, and soon the raccoon pelts are piling high. They even tree the notorious "ghost coon," which wins Billy a two dollar bet with some hillbilly boys, one of whom falls on Billy's twin-bladed axe in a scuffle and dies. "Momma," Billy says, devastated, "you can stop worryin' now 'cause I ain't never gonna go huntin' again." But the Championship Coon Hunt is too great a temptation to pass up. Dan and Ann make the finals, but a fierce storm forces Billy to give up a sure win to find his injured Grandpa. More hard choices follow for Billy, each carrying him one step closer to manhood.

Is It Any Good?

If the performances seem a bit over-starched at times, they never fail to do their job. Like the acting, the songs (written by the Osmonds and performed with utmost sincerity by Andy Williams) are obviously of another era. Adults may find it amusing to hear Williams crooning about running free as the wind while Billy adoringly trains his pups, but they'll be touched in spite of themselves. It's just that kind of a movie.

Based on the Wilson Rawls novel, set in the Ozarks of the 1930s, the film is about a place where people are good to one another, during a time when hard work and compassion are rewarded. But there's a deeper layer as well, which slowly unravels to expose a boy struggling toward adulthood, grappling with the large issues of life and death and the heartaches that lie in between.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about its message. What do you think the filmmakers were trying to get across? How did this film influence you?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Old Yeller Poster Image

    Old Yeller

    Tearjerker is one of the best early Disney dramas.

    age 8+
  • The Yearling Poster Image

    The Yearling

    Thoughtful adaptation of the prize-winning novel.

    age 8+
  • A Dog of Flanders Poster Image

    A Dog of Flanders

    Old-fashioned, sentimental tale of determination.

    age 9+

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon picture of a book
    Book Characters
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate