Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Copperhead is a Civil War drama that focuses on one family of upstate New York Democrats who opposed the conflict. Called "Copperheads," the Northern Democrats are depicted as pacifists who don't believe that President Lincoln is acting within his constitutional bounds, while the town's abolitionists are portrayed as violent zealots who will stand by as the country is destroyed for the sake of freeing the slaves. Older kids and teens who've learned about the war may have questions about the movie's historical accuracy, and parents should be prepared to clarify some of the oversimplified depictions. There's very little language, a few kisses, and a couple of scenes of men drinking from a jug. Violence includes a brawl, a mob that accidentally lights a house on fire, and a disturbing image of a man who hangs himself. Ultimately, the movie's lesson is a biblical and civil one -- to love your neighbor as you love yourself, even if you disagree with him.
Sexual
Content
Esther and Jeff court, dance, and kiss a couple of times. Warner flirts with Janey and dances with and kisses her.
Violence
An election day brawl takes place, followed by a mob visit (with torches) that ends with a house being accidentally burned. A young woman is presumed dead after a fire, and several men who volunteered for the Civil War are reported as killed in action. A man commits suicide when he believes that both of his children are gone. One young man is injured and walks with a limp.
Language
Infrequent strong language includes "s--thole" and insults like "jackass" and "idiot."
Social
Behavior
The pulpit scenes have a clear message to love your neighbor as you love yourself. The movie challenges popular beliefs about the Civil War.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Adults drink straight from a jug a few times. A character is portrayed as a drunk rabblerouser.
