Heidi
Recommended. Age: 6+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.
Our review
Heidi is an orphan girl who goes to live with her grumpy grandfather high in the mountains. Her love makes him kind again. Then she is taken away to the city, and he sets out to find her. This is a sweet old film about how a child's love can soften a hard heart. The Prodigal Son story is brought in, and the grandfather makes peace with his neighbors. Small children may be upset when Heidi is taken away and a woman tries to sell her.
For parents
Common Sense Media says six and up. Things to know: Heidi is taken from her grandfather by her aunt, and a woman in the city house treats her badly and tries to sell her to gypsies. That plot point is a 1937 stereotype and worth naming to children. There is a pursuit involving the police near the end. Common Sense Media logs slapstick falls, a moment where the grandfather pulls a large knife and only cuts bread, and pipe smoking. The faith content is good: sources note a pastor and the Prodigal Son story. Ask: what changed the grandfather's heart? How is he like the son in the Prodigal Son story? How does Heidi treat people who are unkind to her?