A Midsummer Nights Dream 1999

A Midsummer Nights Dream 1999

movie

1999

WISE
88%

WISE Score

Shakespeare's fairy-filled chaos meets Balanchine's world-class ballet for a whimsical (if a bit vintage) intro to the arts.

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Screenwise Verdict

If you want to introduce your kid to Shakespeare or ballet without the 'boring' stigma, this 1999 PNB production is a fantastic entry point. It leans heavily into the whimsy and magic, making it feel more like a live-action fairy tale than a stiff museum piece.

That said, let's be real: this is a filmed stage performance from the late 90s. It lacks the cinematic flash of modern movies, and the pacing is 'ballet pace'—which is to say, slow. It’s best viewed in chunks or as a background 'vibe' while doing something else, unless your kid is already a budding Nutcracker fan.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6 and up. Younger kids will love the 'bugs' and fairies in the forest, but the two-hour runtime is a big ask for the preschool crowd.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92

It's a classic Shakespearean comedy told through world-class dance. The tone is whimsical and light, focusing on the magic of the fairy realm and the humor of the 'mechanicals' rather than the darker edges of the play.

Imaginative
95

Balanchine’s choreography is a masterclass in visual storytelling. The transition from the human court to the enchanted forest is pure imagination, and the character of Puck is a delight for kids.

Safe
98

Extremely safe. It's a stage performance filmed for broadcast. No language, no violence, and the romantic 'scrapping' between the lovers is stylized through dance.

Enriching
94

A triple threat of cultural literacy: Shakespeare’s narrative, Mendelssohn’s music, and Balanchine’s dance. It builds deep background knowledge for future literary studies.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • High-art exposure that doesn't feel like a chore thanks to the magical, forest-heavy setting and the antics of Puck.
  • Iconic music by Mendelssohn—even if your kid doesn't know the name, they'll recognize the 'Wedding March.'
  • Non-verbal storytelling helps kids focus on narrative structure and character emotion without getting bogged down in 16th-century syntax.
  • The donkey head—the transformation of Bottom is always a hit with the younger set.
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What to Watch For

  • The 1999 video quality is noticeably dated; don't expect 4K crispness on your modern big screen.
  • It's a full-length ballet, which means long stretches of dance that might test the patience of kids used to fast-paced animation.
  • The 'lovers' subplot involves some chasing and mild jealousy that can be hard to follow without the dialogue to explain who is mad at whom.

Conversation Starters

  • "Why do you think Puck likes to play tricks on the humans so much?"
  • "How did the dancers show they were angry or in love without using any words?"
  • "If you had a magic flower that could make someone fall in love with the first thing they saw, who would you use it on for a joke?"
  • "Which was your favorite costume: the fairies, the soldiers, or the donkey?"

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