Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: Wizards is a weird relic of 1970s animation that's more interesting to read about than actually watch. Ralph Bakshi was going for an anti-war, anti-fascist animated epic, but the execution—heavy on rotoscoped Nazi propaganda footage, light on coherent storytelling—makes it genuinely uncomfortable viewing.

The PG rating is absurd by modern standards. There's war violence, swearing, sexual content, and most problematically, extensive use of actual Nazi imagery that would confuse and potentially traumatize younger viewers. Even the 11+ recommendation from Common Sense Media feels generous.

Beyond the content issues, the film is just hard to watch in 2025. The animation is uneven, the pacing drags, and the whole thing feels like a stoned college art project from 1977—which, let's be honest, it kind of was. Reddit users who loved it as kids admit it 'doesn't deserve its cult status.' The 6.4 IMDb rating tells you everything: it's okay if you're really into Bakshi or animation history, but it's not actually good.

This isn't a hidden gem you've been missing. It's a curiosity piece for adults interested in the weird experimental era of American animation. Keep it off the family movie list.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media says 11+, but honestly, this is more appropriate for film students and animation history buffs than kids. The Nazi imagery alone makes it a hard pass for family viewing. If you're a parent who loved this at age 12 in the 80s, just know: it hits different now, and not in a good way.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

35

Ralph Bakshi's 1977 animated film contains heavy Nazi imagery throughout, war violence, profanity, and sexual content. The tone is dark and apocalyptic rather than emotionally healthy. While it has anti-war themes, the execution includes rotoscoped footage of actual Nazi propaganda, which is deeply disturbing content for young viewers. Not a model of kindness or cooperation—more a grim post-apocalyptic battle.

Imaginative

72

A genuinely original blend of fantasy and post-apocalyptic sci-fi that was quite innovative for 1977. The premise of wizards in a post-nuclear Earth, mixing magic with technology, is creative. Bakshi's distinctive animation style—combining traditional animation with rotoscoping—was experimental and bold. However, the imagination is more in concept than execution, as the film feels dated and uneven by modern standards.

Safe

28

Multiple significant safety concerns: extensive Nazi imagery and propaganda footage (rotoscoped from WWII films), war violence throughout, profanity including strong language, and sexual content. IMDb parent guide recommends PG-13 despite the original PG rating. Common Sense Media rates it for age 11+, but even that feels generous given the Nazi content that could be genuinely traumatic or confusing for kids. This is not a film where you can leave the room and let kids watch unsupervised.

Enriching

42

There are anti-war and anti-fascism themes that could spark meaningful discussion, but they're buried under heavy-handed execution and disturbing imagery. The film doesn't provide much cognitive growth or skill-building, and the entertainment value has diminished significantly over nearly 50 years. The moral message (technology used for evil vs. magic used for good) is simplistic. Limited enrichment potential for modern audiences.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely original concept blending fantasy with post-nuclear sci-fi that was ahead of its time
Anti-war and anti-fascism themes that could spark discussions about propaganda and manipulation
Distinctive Bakshi animation style that's a piece of animation history (for better or worse)
Cult classic status among animation fans who appreciate experimental 70s filmmaking

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What to Watch For

Extensive use of actual Nazi propaganda footage and imagery—genuinely disturbing and inappropriate for kids
War violence, profanity, and sexual content that makes the PG rating laughable by modern standards
Extremely dated animation and pacing that will bore most modern viewers under 30
The whole thing feels like a weird 70s art project that hasn't aged well—this is not Miyazaki

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the filmmaker chose to show real Nazi footage in a cartoon? What was he trying to say about war?"
"How does the 'evil wizard using technology' compare to how we think about technology today?"
"What did you think about the animation style? How is it different from modern animated movies?"

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