Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Disney's classic animated interpretation of Lewis Carroll's tale is a great "starter" Alice for younger kids before moving on to more mature and theatrical versions, like Tim Burton's trippy 2010 adventure. Disney's 7-year-old Alice embarks on a colorful journey that does include some mild violence (especially when she meets the sadistic Queen of Hearts) and taunting language like "stupidest" and "fat." Three animal characters smoke either a pipe or, in the case of the caterpillar, a hookah.
Sexual
Content
Not applicable.
Violence
Alice nearly drowns in her own tears. In one sequence, oysters are lured to a kitchen, where they're killed. The enchanted flowers throw Alice out of the garden, thinking she's a weed. Alice grows so tall she nearly destroys Rabbit's house. The Queen of Hearts is a murderous tyrant and frequently sentences her subjects (and Alice) to death, shouting "Off with her head!" dozens of times. During Alice's show-trial, the Queen says "sentence first, verdict later." She sets her army of cards to chase after Alice.
Language
Characters (usually Alice) use mild insults like "barbarian," "stupidest," "poo," and "fat, pompous, bad-tempered old tyrant." The enchanted flowers call Alice a "weed."
Social
Behavior
Alice explains that she gives herself good advice but doesn't listen to it. She also talks about having to learn to do what's right. The caterpillar makes Alice think about who she is and how she can "grow" to meet the challenges that Wonderland throws her way. The walrus says "nothing is impossible." Alice stands up to the tyrannical queen.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
The Caterpillar is shown smoking a hookah in every scene he's in. The smoke billows up in Alice's face and makes her cough and sneeze. Two other characters are shown smoking a pipe.