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Films

Historical movies for preteens

19 replies

clearsommespace · 14/08/2015 20:36

I'm looking for not too violent historical movies to watch with 11 and 13 yr old DCs. We have seen Gandhi and the Napoleon series with Christian Clavier.
The Last Emporer and Titanic are on my list but Titanic is probably a bit too sad for DD just yet.
All ideas welcome.

OP posts:
mmack · 14/08/2015 21:18

My almost 12 year old loves history and enjoyed Bridge on the River Kwai, The Great Escape, Spartacus, Warhorse and The Butler. He also liked the war parts of Gone with the Wind but thought there was way too much romance in it.

LeBearPolar · 14/08/2015 21:20

Chariots of Fire?

southeastastra · 14/08/2015 21:21

empire of the sun?

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 14/08/2015 21:22

Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines

clearsommespace · 14/08/2015 21:35

On just had to go and listen to the Chariots of Fire theme...
Off to search some of the other suggestions. Thanks.

OP posts:
clearsommespace · 14/08/2015 21:39

Countess, I think DS would like the Magnificent Men and I'd never heard of it one so I'm very glad you came up with it, thanks, but what we're really after is films based on historical events.

OP posts:
mmack · 14/08/2015 22:02

I haven't seen Selma yet so don't know if it would be suitable for an 11 year old but it got good reviews. The Great Escape and The Bridge on the River Kwai are both loosely based on true stories. All the biopic ones I can think of, like Lincoln and Michael Collins, might be too adult for an 11 year old.

MaitreKarlsson · 14/08/2015 22:09

My DS loves Reach for the Sky about WW2 flying ace Douglas Bader. B&w and rather old fashioned but still inspiring.

HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs · 14/08/2015 22:14

In Year 7 at school we watched Glory about the American Civil War. It does have its violent moments but our entire class was spellbound.

HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs · 14/08/2015 22:16

Another vote for Empire of the Sun

LeBearPolar · 15/08/2015 10:12

ooh Lawrence of Arabia.

Sgtmajormummy · 15/08/2015 10:26

Hope and Glory
Master and Commander
The Colour Purple
The Secret Garden
A film about Robin Hood (take your pick)

Sgtmajormummy · 15/08/2015 10:35

We watched The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas recently with 17yo DS. It was very sensitively done, but the horror offstage could clearly be guessed.
So although it may get a PG certificate you shouldn't show it to them until they find out what really happened in the Concentration Camps.

Hamishandthefoxes · 15/08/2015 10:40

A knights tale with Heath ledger good for jousting.

Battle of Britain (pg)
Master and commander is very good but some very sad bits
Great escape
Empire of the sun

Imitation game is a 12a and might be okay?

WizzledandFurry · 27/08/2015 20:16

My DS (11) likes Michael Collins (bit gory) Tora! Tora! Tora! and Angels One Five.
If you have Sky etc the PBS America channel is great on accounts of The Civil War, Dustbowl etc.

Colyngbourne · 01/09/2015 22:34

Second "Glory"
Michael Collins
Master & Commander
Marie Antoinette (the one with Kirsten Dunst) (despite the poor reviews)
Australia
The New World
Elizabeth & Elizabeth: The Golden Age
The Last Samurai
Kingdom of Heaven
Battleship Potemkin
MAS*H
Creation (story of Charles Darwin and his daughter, very sad)

Lots of war films - Bridge/Kwai; A Bridge Too Far; Tora Tora Tora; etc

it depends on your children and your assessment of what they are allowed to and capable of watching (with you in the room to explain anything needful).
Even Vietnam war films.

Colyngbourne · 04/09/2015 20:45

Waterloo
Madness of King George
A Man for All Seasons
Becket
The Lion in Winter

Doublebubblebubble · 04/09/2015 20:50

The first thing that came into my head was Indiana Jones... (I know they aren't technically historically accurate but they are definitely fun and should hold a Childs attention)

FrancesOldhamKelseyRIP · 04/09/2015 20:53

Amazing Grace
Waterloo is fantastic
A Knights Tale is wildly inaccurate but a whole bunch of fun.

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