Parents' Guide to

Wishbone: Bone of Arc

By Nancy Warren, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

A tail-waggingly heroic tale.

Movie NR 1995 30 minutes
Wishbone: Bone of Arc Poster Image

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What's the Story?

This episode of the PBS television series begins with Samantha's friends David and Joe convincing their soccer coach (David's Dad), to let Samantha on the team to save them from defeat. Samantha's situation turns canine clown Wishbone's mind to Mark Twain's book about Joan of Arc. While Samantha struggles to kick the winning goals for the soccer team, Joan of Arc, with trusty pal Louis, played by Wishbone, marshals troops to defend France from invading England. While each wins her battle, both lose the larger war. In Joan's case, those who accused her of heresy demand her execution and in Samantha's case, the opposing coach's crying foul on a technicality costs her the game and her place on the team.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

What's nice in this episode is the emphasis on present-day girl hero Samantha's supportive friends and family, a congenial mix of old and young, male and female, African-American and white. The creators also demonstrate their thoughtfulness by revealing the trick of how the actress Joan of Arc is "shot" with an arrow at the end, thus relieving fears of younger viewers.

Bone of Arc reminds us of the original super role model for women, Joan of Arc. In Wishbone's trademark two tales, this episode shifts between Joan of Arc's fight to free France, and present day hero Samantha's fight to join friends Joe and David's soccer team. Both plots tick along quickly and in perfectly timed parallel action. While Joan and Samantha both win at first, they are still both brought down by evil outside forces.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the girls' heroic battles. What other girl role models can you think of?

Movie Details

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