Is Waiting for Anya scary or graphic for younger kids?

It lacks graphic bloodshed, but the constant presence of armed Nazi soldiers, tense interrogations, and gunfire during border escapes create genuine anxiety. It is not suitable for elementary kids.

How closely does the movie follow Michael Morpurgo's book?

The film hits all the major plot beats from the 1990 novel, focusing on Jo, Widow Horcada, and the escape across the Pyrenees. However, the emotional richness of the book translates somewhat flatly on screen.

Will this movie keep a middle schooler engaged?

That depends on the viewer. Kids who enjoy deliberate, quiet period dramas will follow along fine, but those accustomed to fast action will likely find the slow pacing tough to sit through.

What age is Waiting for Anya best suited for?

Age 11 and up is the sweet spot. Middle schoolers have the historical context needed to grasp the occupation of France and the refugee rescue efforts without being overwhelmed by the WWII setting.

Waiting for Anya – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Waiting for Anya

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2020

61%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Pyrenean shepherd boy helps smuggle Jewish kids past Nazi patrols into Spain, but flat pacing keeps this WWII drama grounded.

6.1/10

41%

59%

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Waiting for Anya

movie

12, 2020

61%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A Pyrenean shepherd boy helps smuggle Jewish kids past Nazi patrols into Spain, but flat pacing keeps this WWII drama grounded.

6.1

41%

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6.1/10

41%

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Screenwise Verdict

On paper, Waiting for Anya has all the elements of a classic middle-grade historical film: a brave young shepherd, hidden Jewish children, mountain escapes, and an occupation force patrolling the local village. Adapted from Michael Morpurgo's novel, the premise delivers real weight and clear moral stakes.

In execution, the film struggles to find a pulse. Despite solid scenic backdrops and a noble heart, the dramatic tension never quite catches fire. German officers come across as stock antagonists, the dialogue feels stiff, and the narrative moves at a plodding pace that will test the patience of most 11-year-olds.

If your middle schooler is deep into a unit on WWII or loved books like Number the Stars, this provides decent background context on smuggling routes in southern France. Just don't expect the cinematic power or emotional punch of top-tier historical adaptations.

Age Fit

Best for middle schoolers (around 11 and up) who are studying WWII or who can handle slow-burning historical fiction without tuning out.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Focuses on quiet heroism, intergenerational solidarity, and protecting vulnerable children during wartime, though dark Nazi themes are present throughout.

Imaginative

By-the-numbers historical drama that sticks rigidly to well-worn WWII tropes without much visual or narrative flair.

Safe

Features wartime tension, armed Nazi soldiers, gunshots, threats of violence, and perilous mountain crossings. No graphic gore or sexual content, but intense for younger viewers.

Enriching

Offers an accessible entry point into WWII history, Vichy France, and the logistics of smuggling refugees across the Pyrenees.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Highlights a lesser-known slice of WWII history in the French Pyrenees rather than standard battlefield action.
Centers on a young protagonist making dangerous moral choices in an occupied village.
Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse.

⚠

What to Watch For

Nazi soldiers occupy the village with constant presence, interrogation, and military force.
Characters face real life-or-death consequences, including gunfire during escape sequences and arrests of villagers.
The cinematic tempo drags significantly; kids used to fast-paced adventures will likely check out before the third act.

Conversation Starters

"Jo takes huge risks to keep a secret from German soldiers. When is breaking rules or hiding things the ethical choice?"
"Why did border villages like this one in the Pyrenees play such a big role for refugees escaping occupied Europe?"
"How did Widow Horcada and Benjamin manage to keep their operation hidden while living right under the occupation force?"

Deep Dive

A Well-Intentioned WWII Drama That Misses the Spark

Michael Morpurgo knows how to write historical fiction for young audiences. War Horse proved that a grounded, emotionally direct story about war could bridge the gap between middle-grade readers and adult audiences. Waiting for Anya tries to pull off a similar feat with the story of Jo, a French shepherd boy who stumbles upon a secret network smuggling Jewish children into Spain.

Where the film stumbles is dramatic momentum. Directing a period piece about occupational tension requires tight pacing and sharp atmosphere. Here, the French countryside looks postcard-lovely, but the village life feels staged. The presence of German soldiers never feels quite as dangerous as the plot demands, which drains the escape sequences of genuine suspense.

Who It Works For

For kids ages 11 to 14 who are already interested in WWII history, Waiting for Anya works fine as a supplementary watch. It highlights the specific geography of the Pyrenees and the courage of ordinary villagers in Vichy-adjacent regions. However, if you are looking for a gripping family movie night selection, better options exist—films like The Book Thief or When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit tackle similar themes with much stronger narrative momentum.