Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be honest: this is one of those movies that sounds better in theory than in practice. A vet who talks to animals! A quest for a mythical sea creature! Musical numbers! But then you press play and realize it's 151 minutes of 1967 pacing, which feels like approximately 47 hours in modern kid-time.

The content itself is perfectly wholesome—no violence, no scares, just a gentle man being kind to animals. But 'wholesome' doesn't mean 'watchable,' and this film tests the patience of even the most dedicated classic-movie enthusiast. The special effects are charmingly dated, the musical numbers go on forever, and the colonial-adventure framing feels awkward by today's standards.

If you're looking for a movie about animals and adventure, there are dozens of more engaging options (the 1998 Eddie Murphy version, Paddington, literally any Pixar film). This one belongs in the 'interesting footnote in film history' category rather than the 'let's watch this as a family' category. Save yourself the struggle unless you have a very specific reason to revisit 1960s cinema.

Age Fit

Technically appropriate for ages 5+, but realistically, even nostalgic parents will struggle to get modern kids through this two-and-a-half-hour relic. Maybe for a very patient 7-10 year old who loves old musicals?

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

A gentle story about a veterinarian who talks to animals and embarks on a whimsical quest. Models kindness to animals and cooperation, though the 1967 sensibilities mean some dated attitudes and slow pacing that modern kids may find tedious. The tone is sweet and earnest, but lacks the energy contemporary audiences expect.

Imaginative

68

The premise of communicating with animals and searching for a mythical giant sea snail is inherently imaginative. However, the 1967 execution leans heavily on stagey musical numbers and old-fashioned special effects that feel more quaint than wonder-inducing by today's standards. The fantasy elements are present but delivered in a way that modern kids may struggle to engage with.

Safe

85

This is a G-rated family musical from the 1960s with no violence, scary content, or inappropriate material. The biggest 'safety' concern is that it's so gentle it borders on soporific. No modern trigger warnings apply—just prepare for a very long (151 minutes!), very slow movie that won't surprise anyone with anything remotely edgy.

Enriching

58

There are themes of animal welfare, adventure, and curiosity about the natural world. However, the film's bloated runtime, dated production values, and 1960s colonial-adventure framing significantly limit its enrichment value. The TMDB rating of 6.2 suggests even general audiences find it middling. Kids are unlikely to stay engaged long enough to absorb any meaningful lessons, and some dated attitudes may require parental context.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely sweet premise about communicating with animals and respecting nature
Zero scary or inappropriate content—this is as gentle as family movies get
Classic musical numbers if your kid is into old-school Broadway-style songs
Could spark conversations about animal welfare and veterinary science

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What to Watch For

151 minutes is brutally long—even adults struggle to stay engaged through this one
1960s colonial-adventure vibes and period attitudes that haven't aged gracefully
Slow pacing and stagey production values feel ancient compared to modern animation
Your kid will likely ask to watch something else within 30 minutes

Conversation Starters

"If you could talk to animals, which one would you want to have a conversation with first?"
"Why do you think Dr. Dolittle cares so much about finding the giant sea snail?"
"What do you think it would be like to be a veterinarian?"
"How are the animals in this movie different from how animals are shown in movies today?"

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