Where the Red Fern Grows (Tokar 1974)
Kids (but Teens and Adults will enjoy as well)
To find a movie targeted at younger children, I took a look at Where the Red Fern Grows, a movie my brother wore-out the VHS tape for when we were growing up. It’s an old fashion film with a lot of heart and a great message:
A poor boy in Appalachia decides he’ll do anything to buy a pair of hunting dogs.
Although the soundtrack dates it, and it won’t win any awards for filmmaking proficiency, it holds up and is an excellent movie for Family Movie Night. It emphasizes the value of hard work and tackles the difficult subject of loss.
It’s also the ultimate dog movie, so prepare for lots of requests for puppies from the kiddos. I does a good job preparing children for the responsibility associated with pet ownership, and the inevitable loss that will come with time.
My brother and I found the movie incredibly inspiring, and it helped foster a childhood of entrepreneurship: hustling lemonade, golf balls, and lawn care to finance our adventures.
There is some intense loss and grieving in the film, though it is presented in a healthy and valuable context that should lead to valuable family conversation. But it is something to keep in mind when showing to younger children.
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