The Bridge on the River Kwai
Acceptable. Age: 11+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
British soldiers are prisoners in a jungle camp. Their proud colonel helps the enemy build a great bridge, while other soldiers come to blow it up. It is a long war movie for older kids and grown-ups. This is a great film about pride. Nicholson's courage is real, but it turns into helping the enemy, and the film calls the end madness. The one age is 11, set by Common Sense Media. The Legion of Decency rated it A-I (all ages). Expect beatings and a punishment box, men shot and stabbed, a bloody climax where most of the leads die, smoking and drinking, and a slur for the Japanese.
For parents
Best for about eleven and up, the age Common Sense Media sets, though the Legion rated it for all ages. The violence is war violence, not gory, but the ending kills several main characters. Talk about Nicholson. Is he brave or proud, or both? Read his line 'What have I done?' as a moment of conscience. Ask: when does doing your job well become helping something wrong? Why does the doctor call it madness? The camp guards also use the word 'Japs,' which is a slur.