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
I think another to add (and one that girls might just like) is "To Sir, With Love."
Mark
movies
The Trouble With Angels - Haley Mills at her best!!
Good flying, but I wouldn't show it to my boys ... the adultery is a bit much.
A few more (but it depends on the age of the kids viewing): FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, RED BADGE OF COURAGE, ELMER GANTRY, and GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
The old Disney live-action movies:
Fighting Prince of Donegal
Follow Me, Boys!
That Darn Cat
and so on.
Available at both rental stores and many libraries. I suggest watching them in order.
Mars Attacks!!
I'd forgotten October Sky. Great for your science-loving boy or girl.
***300 Spartans has been out of print for years. There is no video. If anybody knows a source, I want one.***
I saw it at my local WAL-MART just two days ago in the Video bin.
***Old Yeller is one of the best movies for kids because it teaches the core American values that have been shunted aside by Hollywood.***
How about THE YEARLING with Gregory Peck. I saw it in 1955.
**Mars Attacks!!**
I prefer INVADERS FORM MARS from the 1950's. NOT THE 1980'S VERSION!
.It was a gem of a movie and even has Sean Connery singing. This was back when Walt Disney really made some great films.
OTH I think something should be done for uncultured yobs like me who never read Galsworthy's Forsythe Saga, Trollope's Palliser novels, Jane Eyre, or Pride and Prejudice before seeing them properly interpreted on the screen.
"Tuck Everlasting"
"Our Vines Have Tender Grapes" (with Margaret O'Brien) This little actress sure could cry and make the audience cry. Little girls will love it.
Yes, Apollo 13! My son (now 12.5) has been watching it since he was 7. Failure is not an option.
Also, "Father Goose" with Cary Grant and Leslie Caron. Charming and Funny.
And yes, we get a big kick out of "Encino Man" for sheer silliness.
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