I do love a good film list. I like the way a list offers a sort of structured viewing experience, a way to compare a number of films within a framework, as well as introducing me to classics I somehow missed. Then, there’s the sense of achievement in seeing the progress I’ve made as I work my way through a list. So, following my foray into kitchen sink dramas and romantic films, I happily stumbled upon the BFI’s list of 50 films to watch before you’re 14.
The first thing I learnt from this list is that I obviously didn’t watch many films as a teenager. I’d only seen a fifth of the 50 listed films, having watched most of those in my adulthood, and many of those I hadn’t watched all the way through. But I saw this list as a great way of roping in my six year old daughter to share my film viewing pleasure. And so, thanks to the BFI, our Friday evenings have been elevated from an hour’s worth of nothingness on CBBC, into something worth savoring – the two of us snuggled up on the sofa, with special treats to hand, ready for film night.
Really, this is a great list for grown-ups too. Presented in alphabetical order, the list spans almost a century of film making. The oldest film here is Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid from 1921 which I ought to have seen but haven’t yet. As well as the predictable inclusions (ET, Toy Story, Back to the Future), there’s a great mix here from as far afield as France, Italy, Spain, Japan, India, Iran and New Zealand.
I have some misgivings too. What I loved about The Guardian’s list of romantic films was the ranking and the critique which enabled me to watch the films in quite a ritualistic manner. I added the lot to my LoveFilm rental list so the films arrived randomly. Only after watching the film would I read The Guardian’s blurb to understand the film’s critical merits, to see how they reflected the film’s position in the poll. And, as I discovered old classics, I also enjoyed ranking the films according to my own whim. Regrettably though, the BFI’s list is in alphabetical order so it’s impossible to know which films are considered more influential than others. I’d also have loved to read some short sharp analysis of each film. You’d think this would be an important consideration for films aimed at children, to help young minds (and old!) to develop a sense of critical appreciation.
A bigger concern is that all the films have been lumped together. There are films here that are clearly inappropriate for younger children and I wish the list somehow made this more explicit. Astonishingly, the list doesn’t even disclose whether a film is rated U or PG, although I realise this information is only a click away. This omission becomes all the more problematic when you realise some of the films are rated 12 (To Kill A Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet), and still others are rated 15 (Show Me Love, Billy Elliot). I might not have given this a second thought had I not been watching the films with my six year old. But it does mean that instead of adopting my usual ‘random selection’ approach, I must determine the film’s classification and take the time to read up about the lesser known films before ordering them. It goes without saying that what children watch should be guided by parental judgement, but still, there are enough obscure films listed here to make this quite an onerous task. In this sense, I’ve found the list quite misleading. If the idea of the list is to get more young people to watch films, then surely the BFI should have made this as user friendly as possible to maximise its use.
Even so, my daughter and I have discovered some treasures. The magical French film, The Red Balloon (U) was my daughter’s first foray into world cinema. The beautifully animated Kirikou and the Sorceress (U), based on an African folktale with a soundtrack by Youssou N’Dour, managed to charm us both. We thought The Princess Bride (PG) was highly entertaining and heart-warming. But, I wondered, what sort of message does it send out to an impressionable young girl, when the impossibly long limbed Buttercup spends all day rolling up her hair and clipping it into plaits, while she waits for Wesley to come and save her? The Secret Garden (U) has been another delightful discovery, even though the film’s bleakness was a little too much for my daughter at times.
Despite my reservations, I’m determined to make my way through the list, for the sake of my own curiosity and cultural education if nothing else, even if it means watching the majority of the films on my own. I therefore wanted to understand the rationale for this list, so I put this to the BFI’s Head of Education, Mark Reid. He explained that the list was compiled in 2005 to stimulate debate about the range of film available for young people, as part of an ongoing debate about what children should watch or hear before they turn 14. A range of individuals including teachers, filmmakers and children’s film organisations from across Europe contributed to the list. A key finding for the BFI, which also sheds light on my own reservations, is that non-Hollywood material for under-sevens is a rarity. While this might explain the exclusion of gems like Mary Poppins, I’m still disappointed that a list generated by the British Film Institute doesn’t offer more guidance, not least because it’s likely to be up to us parents to steer our children through this maze.
This is where I need your help. I’m hoping you’ll be able to help me whittle out the must watch films from the ones to avoid. And I hope you’ll recommend other gems that we should be watching. Please let me know via the comments box below and we’ll make a point of watching your recommendations and letting you know if we agree.
@irnaqureshi blogs about being British, Pakistani, Muslim and female in Bradford, against a backdrop of classic Indian films at www.bollywoodinbritain.wordpress.com.
Interesting post Irna, I remember we had a little Twitter chat about the strange inclusion of films with certificates above that of the eponymous target audience of the list!
Anyway, I’ve had a look at the list and have seen probably just under half, which isn’t great considering I’m a decade older than when I should have seen them all, apparently. Here are some thoughts/recommendations:
– Billy Elliot is a great film but I might be biased being from the North East.
– Etre et Avoir is a great French documentary about a rural classroom, not sure how it would hold the attention of a 6 year old but is a charming look at education.
– It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my all time favourites, I watch it on the big screen at the Hyde Park every Christmas. The plot might need explaining a little bit to a younger child but is incredibly moving.
– Some like it Hot is another personal favourite. The humour can be enjoyed on many level so think it’s a great shout for a parent/child to watch together!
– Les Quatre Cents Coups is another French one on the list which is an all time classic in my opionion but definitely not one to watch with a young child. It’s quite slow and thoughtful and I doubt a 6 year old would find it the least bit interesting but definitely worth a watch one night when you’ve put them to bed!
Thanks Jamie. Judging by your suggestion, I’m probably better off watching the French films you mentioned on my own. I do love ‘Some Like It Hot’ and I’m really exciting about sharing that one with my daughter. Likewise with ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, although as you pre-empted, some of the plot would take a bit of explaining.
We’ve still got a lot of catching up to do. We watched Toy Story (1) yesterday which my daughter loved but I didn’t so much. But I gather the sequel is better.
Interesting post, I’m definitely going to have a look at some of these with the kids that they have not yet seen. Can’t believe that Monsters Inc is not on there though.
This exercise is making me realise how many good children’s films there actually are out there, and without a critique of the BFI’s film recommendations, it’s difficult to understand why some films are listed and others aren’t. I haven’t seen Monsters Inc but my daughter went to see it at the National Media Museum during last week’s half term. She absolutely loved it.
I seem to remember being a bit startled there were no Studio Ghibli films on that list. Kiki’s Delivery Service, for example (as well as many, many others, but some may be a little old for a six year-old!). But not adding the BBFC classification was a bit daft.
Whoops; my bad. There are two on that list, Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, both of which are brilliant but again, need to be watched at age 10 or so.
My kids love My Neighbor Totoro (they’re 5 & 7) and although they miss some of the meaning it’s one of their favourites and they watch it over and over again.
We watched My Neighbour Totoro last year. I thought my little girl would be spooked but thanks to the cute animations, much of it went over her head, and the film left her feeling quite warm and fuzzy! I’m looking forward to seeing Kiki’s Delivery Service.
I showed My Neighbour Totoro (with subtitles) to a primary class of six year olds and they loved it. Don’t underestimate children’s abilities to cope with quite challenging films (not that MNT is very challenging). After all, children are watching mainstream family movies from a very young age probably 2 and upwards for many) and there is loads that they don’t understand. They still enjoy a lot and come back for more. And by the way the Watch This list does NOT exclude Hollywood films. There are several there.
I love Flight of the Navigator..my now 21 year old used to watch it all the time on that wierd thing called video.
I hate Charlie Chaplin so The KId is out for me. It’s the usual drivel from the great ‘clown’
Billy Elliott is easily one of the top 10 worst Brit films ever. Soft minded melodrama turning the miners strke into a soap opera with a kid who can’t dance even after lessons and can’t act.
Flight of the Navigator isn’t on the BFI’s list, is it. I just checked and it’s got a U rating, so we’ll give it a go, even if it’s in the name of exposing my pink fluff loving little girl to some healthy alien adventure.
I’ve seen 21 of the films (22 if you include Raiders of the Lost Ark which I mostly slept through). Does it count if you saw them after the age of 14?
Our gran showed Some Like It Hot to me and my siblings when we were 13/11/9 and I literally fell on the floor laughing.
Show Me Love is a brilliant film and was an invaluble viewing experience for a queer teen like me.
I watched The Red Balloon when incredibly young and wasn’t sure about Beauty and the Beast. A quick google confirms both though. In fact, I’ve googled all the ones I’m wasn’t sure of and I’m upping my count to 26. Still only just over half way.
Riley, 26 is a mighty respectable count. That’s more than 50% so congratulations! And your diligence in backtracking with google to remind yourself of the films you’ve seen is most admirable! Do you think you’ll watch any of the others from the list?
Happy to see ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is included. I’m 14 and watched it when I was 12, and the mix of modern props and locations with Shakespearean language helped me to understand my first Shakespeare play! Might be better for 10 plus though.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Emily. I think you’re right about ‘Romeo and Juliet’ – there are quite a few films on the list that my daughter will have to wait a few years to watch.
Can’t quite believe that ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ isn’t in there. If only for useful advice as to how to bunk off school…
David, you’re right actually. ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ was a huge part of my youth. I’m looking forward to introducing it to my daughter, in a few years perhaps – not least because the very idea of bunking off school is still a completely alien concept!
When I spoke to the BFI about their rationale for the list, they did say they were looking for non-Hollywood films, which might explain why this gem wasn’t included.
Probably my favourite film as a kid was Footlose, not sure what it would teach a young girl today though but I sadly still love it now. Another favourite was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid which I was fascinated by, especially the ending, and used to watch with my dad whenever it was on telly. I also second Ferris Bueller’s Day off which is of course about seizing the day and not just bunking off school!!
Thanks for your comments Sally. I remember watching ‘Footloose’ (and of course I remember the song from TOTP) but it didn’t leave much of an impression. I might have to go back and watch it again. I’ve been meaning to watch ‘Dirty Dancing’ for the same reason.
I’m also quite ashamed to admit I haven’t seen ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ but I definitely will now. I’m going to add it to my short list (as opposed to the long list!).
Loved Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Watched it repeatedly. Know it backwards. So much so in fact, that I only give Sarah Jessica Parker the time of day because of who she’s married to!
Irna, thanks so much for bringing this back to life! It wasn’t my idea, so I can’t say why we didn’t include certificates, except that maybe it was because certification is a guide only, for licensing cinemas and DVDs sales/ rentals, and shouldn’t absolutely determine the age at which children see which films. Best thing always is to make a decision yourself about what you child can/ should handle. I’m in a dispute at the moment with a 14-year old (my son) about watching The Shining. A part of me says.. do it!
Billy Elliot, for example – a film about a 13 year old, which 13 year olds couldn’t see, principally becuase of the swearing. I think we were aghast at the time… And then again, there’s The Dark Knight 12A controversy..
So thanks again following the list – maybe it’s time we brought it up to date!
I just heard about Irna’s article from Mark Reid. I was the person who set up the Watch This! list and the associated event at the Barbican, and I would like to make clear that it WASN’T a list of “BFI recommendations” but the result of a poll amongst people in cinemas, film institutes and other organisations across Europe that were involved in film distribution for children. The absence of certificates is deliberate: do you have certificates for children’s books? Children’s theatre? (And note by the way that any kid of any age can go to see Billy Elliott in the theatre and experience the same supposedly dangerous and corrupting script!) So how do you choose these other cultural experiences for your children? I guess you have to read reviews, hear what other parents say, so yes, do a bit of work, just as you surely already do when you take your kids to a museum, for example. Why should film be any different?
Quite a gender biased list eh? Can’t imagine such patience and positive responses to Princess Bride, Red Balloon, Kirlkou et al from my boys.