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Original poster

is Robin Hood Prince of Thieves okay for an 8yr old?

80 replies

Allthenamesareusedup · 19/03/2015 18:55

My ds is currently v into Robin Hood, has created fab Lego scenes, read books, listened to audio CDs etc, and is asking to watch a film of it. He watched Disney one, but wants a "proper version". He's seen the Harry Potter films and The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings. Can anyone recommend an appropriate Robin Hood film for him?

OP posts:
Pastamancer · 19/03/2015 18:57

I was 9 when it came out and went to see it at the cinema, I didn't find it a problem.

MistressMerryWeather · 19/03/2015 18:58

I watched it at the weekend so it's fresh in my memory.

I would say if he has seen the LOTRs movies without any bother then he would be fine watching Prince of Thieves.

SenatusPopulusqueRomanorum · 19/03/2015 19:03

I wouldn't be comfortable with the attempted rape scene (but I am that kind of mother).
I love the 1938 version with Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone.

JennyBlueWren · 19/03/2015 19:04

I was 7 when we went to see it at the cinema. It is still one of my favourite films. I found the witch with the eyeballs a bit scary though.

Alisvolatpropiis · 19/03/2015 19:06

I think it would be fine. I watched it at about that age and enjoyed it.

More so than I did when I watched it more recently, funnily enough!

lucysnowe · 19/03/2015 19:10

Show him the Errol Flynn one, he will love it!!

wheresthelight · 19/03/2015 19:15

the rape scene and the witch might be a bit iffy but otherwise I would think it's fine tbh.

just don't go showing him the Mel brooks version Grin

Original poster
Allthenamesareusedup · 20/03/2015 11:23

Thanks all. The Errol Flynn version sounds great, and I will re watch Prince of Thieves before deciding (even though I watched it multiple times at the pictures aged 13 so should remember!)

OP posts:
bruffin · 20/03/2015 11:38

What about the old Robin of Sherwood (Michael Praed/Jason Connery series or the more recent Russell Crowe version, which I think is a lower rating than Prince of Thieves

Seeker33 · 20/03/2015 11:40

Errol Flynn was a better Robin Hood

squoosh · 20/03/2015 11:41

Robin Hood Prince of Thieves is one of my guilty pleasure films. It's all very sanitised, would be fine for an 8 year old I think. Far less scary than the LOTR films.

DamnBamboo · 20/03/2015 11:41

There is a scence where the Sherrif tries to rape Maid Marion.
Not appropriate at all

squoosh · 20/03/2015 11:42

The Russell Crowe Robin Hood prequel film was such a snooze. I can;t imagine an 8 year old being very engaged with it.

DamnBamboo · 20/03/2015 11:42

That would be the Kevin Costner one by the way

startwig1982 · 20/03/2015 11:43

I love Robin Hood prince of thieves!! The first film I saw at the cinema an I was about 9/10 I think.

Enb76 · 20/03/2015 11:45

The rape scene will most likely go over the head of a nine year old so I would discount it as a reason not to watch the film.

SaucyJack · 20/03/2015 11:47

I would and have let my eight-year-old watch it.

Fantastic film. I love it- in fact I'd say it was toss up between it and Con Air for the greatest film ever made.

DamnBamboo · 20/03/2015 11:48

The rape scene will most likely go over the head of a nine year old so I would discount it as a reason not to watch the film

Why on earth do you think that?

I can't believe someone thinks this way.

DamnBamboo · 20/03/2015 11:50

Parents need to know that medieval graphic violence dominates this film, and that there are some particularly gory moments. The film opens with a painful torture scene, and later a man is burned to death. A man knifes his unsuspecting cousin, an illegitimate (and angry) half-brother appears, a painful childbirth scene (implied caesarian), a hanging, villages are destroyed, innocent children are threatened, explosions, a beloved character dies, and one nearly drowns. There is also an attempted rape, and a scary, creepy witch

a very good summary of the unsuitable bits, found online. Why would anyone let an 8 year old watch this.

squoosh · 20/03/2015 11:50

But is a scene which features an attempted rape more of a reason to discount a film than numerous scenes featuring people being killed with a bow and arrow?

squoosh · 20/03/2015 11:51

The OP has already stated that her child has watched and enjoyed the LOTR films. I don't think Robin Hood will shock him too much.

SaucyJack · 20/03/2015 11:53

Go and find one of those parental advisory things for Tom and Jerry damnbamboo.

Dr0pThePirate · 20/03/2015 11:53

I was 9 when I went to see at the cinema with my mum and dad Grin

It's a bit grim in places - brief glimpse of his gooey dad swinging in the gibbet, Duncan's eyes, the kid (and the rest of them) getting almost hanged, and Marion almost being raped.

All in all it's not a kids film but it's very exciting and funny. I think it's the best Robin Hood film by far. I'm sure your DS will love it.

Oh hang on the very beginning bit in the middle east is a bit scary and upsetting….nah he'll be fine!

DamnBamboo · 20/03/2015 11:53

Yes, I would say so.
Fake fighting is one thing, exposing a child to something that they may not have been exposed to in other context before, is another.

I probably wouldn't let an 8 year old what LOTR either though

squoosh · 20/03/2015 11:55

'Fake fighting is one thing, exposing a child to something that they may not have been exposed to in other context before, is another.'

Well it's all fake, it's a film. I'm not sure that an attempted rape should be considered more shocking than a person being killed.