Is it too boring for an 8-year-old?

Honestly, it might be. If they are expecting National Geographic style action, they'll be disappointed. But if they love Jane Goodall specifically, they'll find her early footage fascinating.

Are there any 'sad' animal parts?

It's a documentary about wild animals and a changing world, so there's talk of habitat loss and some natural chimp behavior that isn't always 'cuddly,' but it's not a 'trauma-doc' by any stretch.

Should we watch this or the 2017 'Jane' movie?

The 2017 film Jane (with the Philip Glass score) is more cinematically stunning. Jane's Journey is more of a personal, biographical travelogue. If you only watch one, go with the 2017 one, but this is a great companion piece for a true fan.

Jane's Journey – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Jane's Journey

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2011

86%

WISE Score

A deeply personal look at how a woman with a notebook and a lot of patience changed how we see the world.

6.6

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Jane's Journey

movie

2011

86%

WISE Score

A deeply personal look at how a woman with a notebook and a lot of patience changed how we see the world.

6.6

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6.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Jane's Journey is the 'quiet' Jane Goodall documentary. It’s less about the cinematic spectacle you see in the 2017 Jane and more about the woman herself—her travels, her legacy, and her relentless hope. It’s an excellent pick for a kid who is already showing an interest in animals or the environment.

Be aware that this is a 2011 production, so it lacks the ultra-HD 'wow' factor of modern 4K nature docs. But what it lacks in pixels, it makes up for in heart. It’s a solid, intentional watch that rewards a longer attention span.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9 and up. Younger kids might appreciate the chimp footage, but the biographical narrative and the heavy focus on her later activism will likely fly over their heads.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Jane Goodall is the patron saint of being a decent human. The film models radical empathy, lifelong curiosity, and a deep respect for all living things without being preachy.

Imaginative

While it's a grounded documentary, it fuels the kind of 'what if' curiosity that leads kids to explore their own backyards and imagine a different relationship with nature.

Safe

Very safe. Nature documentaries occasionally show the 'circle of life' or chimp aggression, but this is focused more on Jane's biography and activism than raw animal violence.

Enriching

This is a masterclass in science, persistence, and environmental ethics. It shows how one person's observation changed an entire field of study.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Real-world science shown as a process of observation and patience rather than just lab coats and beakers.
Inspiring biography that follows Jane from her childhood home in England to the forests of Tanzania.
Global perspective that connects wildlife conservation to human poverty and environmental health.
Archival footage from Jane's private collection gives a rare, intimate look at her early years in Gombe.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 107-minute runtime is a heavy lift for younger kids; it's a slow-burn documentary, not a fast-paced nature special.
Brief moments of chimp aggression or the realities of habitat loss might be sad for very sensitive animal lovers.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the scientists at the time were so surprised by what Jane discovered?"
"Jane started with just a notebook and binoculars. What's something in our neighborhood you'd want to study that closely?"
"How does helping people in the villages near Gombe actually help the chimpanzees too?"
"What's one thing Jane did when she was young that helped her become a great scientist later?"

Deep Dive

If your kid is used to the high-octane pacing of Planet Earth or the dramatic narratives of Disney Nature films, Jane's Journey might feel like a bit of a culture shock. It’s a character study first and a nature documentary second.

The film excels at showing the 'why' behind conservation. It doesn't just show chimps being cute; it shows Jane Goodall as a person who had to fight for her ideas to be taken seriously. For a kid who feels like they aren't being heard or who has a niche interest they're obsessed with, Jane is the ultimate role model.

Science as a superpower

One of the best things about this film is how it de-mystifies 'science.' It shows that Jane’s greatest tools weren't high-tech gadgets, but her ability to sit still, watch, and take notes. In an age of instant gratification, seeing a 45-year study play out on screen is a powerful lesson in the value of the long game.

The activism angle

The latter half of the film focuses on Jane’s life as a global traveler and activist. This is where it gets the most 'enriching' but also where it might lose younger viewers. It touches on the intersection of human needs and environmental protection—a complex topic that is great for middle-schoolers to start chewing on. If you're watching with a younger child, don't be afraid to pause and talk through why she spends so much time talking to people instead of just hanging out with chimps.

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