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Original poster

Would you take your four year old to see Harry Potter?

61 replies

OrangeElephant · 12/07/2007 11:44

A friend of mine has said she is taking her 4 year old, pre-school ds to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this weekend (Cert 12A). I was at this as I think it is way too young. Am I completely out of touch? - would never take my ds to see it (he is also 4).

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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titchy · 12/07/2007 13:22

As the 'a' bit on the certificate suggests it's for parents to make their own judgements baased on what they know about their child. For some this would be way too scary, for others it would be fine (and I count 6 yo ds in the others category - he loeved GOF when he was just 5 last year). Mind you he also loved LOTR last year too...

Wisteria · 12/07/2007 13:25

It is not inappropriate for a child that age!

It is inappropriate for some children of that age, not all. You can't make assumptions about all children and although I would agree that it is likely to be too scary for the majority of children of 4, it is not applicable to all.

GreengottsTheGoblinBank · 12/07/2007 13:26

I think you can make certain assumptions about all children. No child of 4 can benefit from being exposed to horror and graphic violence IMO. It's just a slovenly and dim thing to do.

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Wisteria · 12/07/2007 13:28

how judgemental!

I can't see how it's slovenly really, do explain.

TransfiguratingLily · 12/07/2007 13:30

oops, things are getting heated here....

Wisteria · 12/07/2007 13:32

Yes, I'm off! Can't be doing with base insults that don't make sense 'slovenly'?? Going to go and do some ironing, before I take my dcs off to see HP!

crookshanks · 12/07/2007 13:40

No - but my ds is very sensitive. But I agree that it does depend on the child in question.

Pollyanna · 12/07/2007 13:40

No, I'm not sure I'll let my 8 year old go tbh, and I'm definitely not letting my 6 and 4yos go.

hercules1 · 12/07/2007 13:43

Of course it's right to say that something like this movie is not suitable for all 4 year olds. If we're talking 9 year olds I could understand the some bit but not for a 4 year old.

TheChamberofCarrots · 12/07/2007 13:56

I think the later ones are almost certainly too much for any four year old, but there will be a few whose parents think they are fine.

Tons of four to six year olds have watched the early ones and WERE fine, my ds was six when he watched philosophers stone like most of his class, seeing the wizards as fun like dinosaurs are fun, thrillingly scary. I expect as many again were terrified.

They have become more violent though and I think most people would adjust the ages accordingly, the themes seem to have aged with the characters so it's a case of being sensible. My DD (5) will stamp her foot at not being able to see it with her brother but that's tough.

HarrywillNOTfuckingdie · 12/07/2007 13:58

I'm taking my DD aged 8. She's read teh book and knows the story etc

Any younger and no way.

TheChamberofCarrots · 12/07/2007 14:00

Yes, I can't wait to take ds1 (9), also called Harry! DD will have some other treat.

jamDOHnut · 12/07/2007 14:02

definitely not. WHat would a 4 year old gain from seeing it?

SurferRosa · 12/07/2007 14:07

My son is 4 and loves it. He also likes Dr. Who. I don't know why, I'd have thought he'd be scared and ask me to turn it off, but my parents were the ones who introduced him to it (HP) and so I didn't have a say!

No sign of nightmares or any fear whatsoever... all kids are different I think.

SurferRosa · 12/07/2007 14:08

Ours is the Prisoner of Azkaban btw...haven't seen the others to compare? I think it's pretty full on myself...

FlameDelacour · 12/07/2007 14:09

Spoil a good film by takin kids with ya.

Original poster

OrangeElephant · 12/07/2007 14:29

Well, regarding the certificate, if it was appropriate for a four year old, they would have given it a PG. Just because a child isnt scared of a film, doesnt mean its ok for them to see it.

OP posts:

SurferRosa · 12/07/2007 14:32

Sorry. I don't know what the cert is for the P of A. POnly have my parents' copy that they taped off the telly

TransfiguratingLily · 12/07/2007 14:39

POA is a pg.

TenaLady · 12/07/2007 14:41

No, not before I have had a glance at it first. Tbh I think 4 is a little young to pick up on the thread of it in any case.

My ds(5) has only seen the first and second film with my supervision. The third I found to dark and deep and a little more scary for my taste.

Wisteria · 12/07/2007 14:42

They introduced the 12A certificate because the film classification people recognised that there is a world of difference between PG films. Something needed to be done to give parents a warning that while the films are suitable for some under 12's some would be badly affected/ scared.

I was badly affected by Watership Down when I was 8 but my 5 year old watched it without a problem, her 8 year old sister was completely traumatised by Black Beauty, my brother had nightmares about Pinocchio (the Disney version) for years.....

all children are different!

bozza · 12/07/2007 14:43

I think the 12A is relevent and suggests it is probably not suitable for a 4yo. It means 12yos can go alone and it will probably be OK for 9/10 yos with parents. I would not take my 6yo, but he is a wimp/sensitive (delete as appropriate).

FlameDelacour · 12/07/2007 14:44

Oooh I had Pinnochio nightmares too

Wisteria · 12/07/2007 14:46

Bozza's take is right IMO - the majority of children would fit that classification but there will always be some children of 9/10 who can't cope and some of 4 who could. I had to leave PoA with a 10 yr old who was too scared! She is sensitive (not a wimp Bozza!)

Wisteria · 12/07/2007 14:46

FD, was it the fox?

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