This is a legitimately beautiful film with strong themes and one of the most famous horse-riding sequences ever put on screen. The problem? It's 1982-paced, which means looooong stretches of Jim riding through mountains with sweeping orchestral music and not much happening.

If your kid already loves horses, westerns, or has shown they can handle slower classic films, this is a solid family watch with genuinely wholesome coming-of-age themes. Jim Craig earns his place through grit and skill, not luck or magic powers, which is refreshing.

But let's be real: most modern kids raised on Marvel and Pixar will find this a slog. The 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is mostly from people who saw it as kids in the '80s or Australians with cultural attachment. It's not unwatchable—it's just not going to compete with their watchlist unless they're already primed for it.

If you're doing a classic film education thing or your kid is genuinely into horses and adventure, go for it. Otherwise, this might be one to save for when they're older and more patient.