Posted on 09/23/2004 2:14:20 PM PDT by Monterrosa-24
Many of us have complained about potty humor and other earthy humor becoming very common in films and shows made for children. To counter this, one can select to use the DVD or VHS player more than television and put better quality material in front of our children.
I feel it is something of a sin for a sixth-grader to see a movie like GREAT EXPECTATIONS before reading the book so the following list is intended only to offer some suggestions for when electronic entertainment can follow or supplement reading. Many of these films provide good starters for discussions on topics of historical and social importance.
Many Freeper parents have their own list of such films and this list will perhaps provide teacher mamas and daddys with a few more ideas.
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, 1982 noblesse oblige, adventure, romance and history. THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, 1975 Give this '75 version a chance.
BEN HUR, 1959 BARABBAS, 1962 THE ROBE, 1953 Such biblical epics can also supplement the teaching of Roman history.
300 SPARTANS, 1962 Great for boys, especially 2nd graders through fifth graders.
ATTACK, 1955 The fruits of cowardice are explored. THE LAST COMMAND, 1956 Great depiction of Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett THE LONGEST DAY, 1962 IS PARIS BURNING?, 1966 LAST OF THE MOHICANS, 1992 too violent for younger children. ZULU, 1964 TORA, TORA, TORA, 1970 THE BLUE MAX, 1966 Boys are bound to love this adventure in biplanes and triplanes.
BOYS TOWN, 1938 Mickey Rooney at his youngest and finest. THE WIZARD OF OZ, 1939 Many of today's children have not seen this classic. Girls love it the most.
CROMWELL, 1972 Protestant vs. Protestant and Royalist vs. Parliamentarian themes provide for much discussion. NICHOLAS AND ALEXANDRA, 1971 The Russian Revolution from the perspective of the royal family.
HAWAII, 1966 A overly severe missionary manages to produce some good works in the rapidly changing islands.
THE SEARCHERS, 1956 TRUE GRIT, 1969 Girls will love the young, determined, and headstrong heroine playing opposite John Wayne.
GONE WITH THE WIND, 1939 Old times there are not forgotten.
TARZAN AND HIS MATE, 1934 Romance between a man and a woman "and that's the way it should be." High adventure and still a popular film.
THE SEVEN SAMURAI, 1954 In Japanese so the children still have to read the subtitles.
UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE, 1967 This film illustrates the difficulties in approaching people of different cultural expectations.
THE NUTCRACKER, 1993 There are many versions but try this Russian State Theatre Academy performance available through Kultur.
THE KID 1921. An Elian Gonzalez threatened by earlier Janet Renos. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, 1926
But I would rather watch it with my wife than with my husband because I'm not that kind of a boy. Arrrrrrh!
Yes, I should have included APOLLO 13 by all means.
Don't forget -
Captains Courageous
October Sky
The Black Stallion &
National Velvet
Old Yeller is one of the best movies for kids because it teaches the core American values that have been shunted aside by Hollywood. Doesn't seem like the term, "glitz" mattered too much back then!
I caught that myself about 15 years ago. Right about the same time I figured out where "The Ruby Yacht of Omar Khayyam" came from.
You made good suggestions but as to the partial nudity in Zulu, I would argue that nudity can be benign while typical TV propaganda is more of a malignancy.
Has anyone added Anne of Green Gables to the list?
Quo Vidas (sp?)
It would be particularly good in the context of learning history.
I would add Chariots of Fire, too -- probably for the same age group.
Ping for your input.
I could have sworn I saw 300 Spartans last week at wally-world
Searching For Bobby Fisher
Great Expectations
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Thanks for listing them. I would like to recommend.
Anne of Avenlea
Anne of Green Gables
The Seven Samurai is a real masterpiece if you ask me.
All the guys in our house cried when Gus died in "Lonesome Dove". Another classic in my book, with two heroes anyone would be proud to have her sons emulate and a strong woman who isn't afraid to face them both down.
My daughter loves "The Coal Miner's Daughter".
It was one of the best versions ever produced.
THE SEARCHERS, 1956. . . Girls will love the young, determined, and headstrong heroine playing opposite John Wayne.
Not just girls either. In an interview shortly before his death, Wayne indicated that, of all his pictures, this film was his personal favorite. It was also one of his best.
I don't know if I'm being too obvious, but one of the best movies ever is "It's A Wonderful Life".
There are a few minor things parents might want to explain or edit out, but over all it is excellent.
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