Masterpiece Classic: My Boy Jack

2007 NR 1h 33m DVD

Masterpiece Classic: My Boy Jack

2007 NR 1h 33m DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
Rudyard Kipling's poem "My Boy Jack" is the basis for this touching tale of family and loss. Young Jack Kipling (Daniel Radcliffe) is rejected for service in World War I because of his myopia, but Rudyard pulls a few strings to get his boy into the Irish Guard. Jack rewards his family by overcoming his disability and rising to the rank of lieutenant. But when he goes missing in battle, it begins a lifelong odyssey by his father to find him.
Cast
Daniel Radcliffe, David Haig, Kim Cattrall, Carey Mulligan, Julian Wadham, Martin McCann
Director
Brian Kirk
Format
DVD
Screen
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.78:1
Subtitles
English
CC
No
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Rating
NR - Not rated. This movie has not been rated by the MPAA.
age 13+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 13+
age 13+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that characters swear explicitly during combat (not outside of it, though), and there is brief but bloody battlefield violence and fatalities. The younger Kiplings are shown sneaking cigarettes and alcohol unsupervised. Early readers who have come to idolize actor Daniel Radcliffe for his incarnation of Harry Potter should know this is a likeable but very different character he plays, who comes to a very different, sadder end. Viewers whose knowledge of English history and culture doesn't go much deeper than Hogwarts may feel left out.

Sexual Content

A naked Jack has a physical, but nothing explicit shown.

Violence

Brief but vivid shooting; explosions in the trenches of WWI, with blood gushing out of bullet wounds.

Language

The F-word and Christ's name in vain under battle stress. "Ass," "hell" and "damn."

Social Behavior

Good manners, courageous bearing, and being a valiant warrior for king and country are the themes here, even if you wonder whether the filmmakers are endorsing the once-noble ideals of the British Empire or condemning them as having inspired the war that stained the Kipling household (and so many others) with loss. John is an unspoiled young man, and has no problem earning the friendship of the Irish volunteers he commands.

Consumerism

Viewers may be inclined to read Rudyard Kipling books (or see the movie versions).

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

The younger Kiplings smoke and drink unsupervised.

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

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