Is there a 'clean' or censored version for schools?

No. The film's power comes from its refusal to censor the reality of the siege. If you find the content too graphic, this simply isn't the right film for your current needs.

How much of the film shows dead bodies?

A significant portion. The film takes place largely in and around hospitals and morgues. It shows the bodies of soldiers, adults, and tragically, several children and infants.

It is a first-person account from the perspective of Ukrainian journalists under fire. While it documents Russian atrocities, it does so through direct observation and footage of events as they happened, which is why it is cited as a definitive piece of journalism.

Where can I watch it if I don't have PBS?

It is frequently available on library-based apps like Kanopy or Hoopla, which you can often access for free with a local library card.

20 Days in Mariupol – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

20 Days in Mariupol

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2023

70%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

An Oscar-winning, front-line account of the siege of Mariupol that is as essential as it is utterly devastating.

8.5/10

100%

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20 Days in Mariupol

movie

TV-PG, 2023

70%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

An Oscar-winning, front-line account of the siege of Mariupol that is as essential as it is utterly devastating.

8.5

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

20 Days in Mariupol is a masterpiece of documentary filmmaking, but it is a 'must-watch' only for those prepared for the most harrowing reality imaginable. It’s the definitive record of the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and it doesn't look away from anything.

For a parent, this isn't a family movie night pick. It's a film you watch after the kids are in bed to understand the world we live in. If you have a high schooler who is deeply interested in journalism or history, watch it with them, but be ready for a long, heavy conversation afterward.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults and very mature older teens (16+). There is no version of this film that is suitable for children or younger adolescents due to the graphic, real-world nature of the violence.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While the journalists' courage is heroic, the film documents the systematic destruction of a city and the deaths of civilians, including children. It is the opposite of 'emotionally healthy' for a young audience.

Imaginative

This isn't about fiction or world-building; it is raw, first-person reality. Its 'originality' lies in its unflinching access and the bravery required to capture these specific images.

Safe

Extremely graphic war violence, real-world death, and profound trauma. There are no 'surprises' because the title and premise are clear, but the content is as unsafe as it gets for a child.

Enriching

An unparalleled historical document. It offers a masterclass in journalistic ethics and provides a visceral, necessary understanding of modern conflict and human resilience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Masterful journalism from an AP team that stayed when everyone else left, providing the only international window into the city.
Historical weight that won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Documentary.
Human connection that moves past sterile news headlines to show the face of the people living through the invasion.
Ethical inquiry into why we document war and the burden of being the one to show the world what's happening.

⚠

What to Watch For

The film includes graphic footage of dead and dying children, including infants, and the raw grief of their parents in hospital settings.
Expect visceral medical scenes; doctors operating in basements with limited supplies, blood, and open wounds are shown frequently.
The psychological toll is heavy—this isn't a 'movie' you watch for entertainment; it's a witness-bearing experience that will linger for days.

Conversation Starters

"Why is it important for journalists to stay in dangerous places even when it seems like they can't change the outcome?"
"How does seeing the war through a single person's lens change how you feel compared to reading a headline about 'thousands' of casualties?"
"What is the responsibility of the person behind the camera when they see someone suffering?"
"How do the people in the film maintain their humanity or help each other when everything around them is being destroyed?"

Deep Dive

Bearing Witness

Directed by Mstyslav Chernov, this film isn't just a documentary; it's a survival story that doubles as a piece of forensic evidence. By the time the AP team escaped Mariupol, they were carrying some of the only footage that proved the atrocities occurring inside the city. This context is vital for understanding why the film is so relentlessly grim. It isn't 'misery porn'—it's a desperate attempt to ensure the truth wasn't buried in the rubble.

Why It Matters in 2026

Even a few years after its release and the initial Oscar buzz, the film remains the gold standard for war reportage. It cuts through the 'fake news' noise by showing the unedited, chaotic, and often quiet moments of terror. You see the journalists struggling with their own fear, their equipment, and the ethical dilemma of filming a mother crying over her dead child.

"This is painful to watch. It should be painful to watch."

Chernov’s narration is sparse and grounded. He doesn't lecture; he simply describes what we are seeing because the images are loud enough on their own. If you want to understand the human cost of geopolitics, there is no better—or harder—resource than this.

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