MovieChat Forums > Theatre of Blood (1973) Discussion > Is this appropriate for small children?

Is this appropriate for small children?

posted 17 years ago by NightBeforeAllSaints
19 replies | jump to latest

Every year at Halloween, I set up a cemetary in my front yard that has a movie projector playing on a big screen several Halloween youth-friendly movies, like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Young Frankenstein (or is that considered too raunchy?), and The Addams Family. This year I wanted to add Theater of Blood to the list of movies to be played on Halloween, but I don't know if worried parents would consider it unsuitable material. I don't get too many trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood, so I would be scarring THAT many little kids, but I'm just wondering if I should skip showing it or if it would be okay.

Are parents more permissive or protective of their children concerning cinematic violence? I honestly can't follow the parental trends these days. :P

[–] efs2 17 years ago

Theatre of Blood is not generally a kid-friendly movie. There is a considerable amount of gore in it. But I think the bigger problem is that it contains lots of British-level satire, and most youngsters would not really be able to appreciate it.

In contrast, I think Young Frankenstein is a much better choice. I think the sexual content is altogether less than what is shown in a typical music video aimed at young viewers. And there is plenty of silly humor.

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I'm not listening.

[–] papereyes 17 years ago

If kids can't deal with meth-drinking traps, decapitation and puppy-death, then what can they deal with?

My only genuine feeling is that they won't be able to understand half of the references in the film.

[–] xylonian-1 17 years ago

"Theatre of Blood is not generally a kid-friendly movie."

Agree....Maybe "The Canterville Ghost"???? On second thought....that would probably be way too mild.

Read My Lips!!!!

[–] schweinhundt1967 17 years ago

No,it's not appropraite for kids-or for anybody else,for that matter.

[–] abf214 17 years ago

How about Ghostbusters? Most parents these days have seen that one... I'd bet that one would be safe... Frankenstein? That might be kinda cool...

[–] Mickey77 17 years ago

I think the R rating granted to the movie is a good guidline - also its really a black comedy more than a horror movie, so young kids wont get the jokes.

Under the stupid guidelines that exist in the USA - a parent may bring their young children to the most gory R-rated movie if they wish, and most young kids have propably grown up with Jason and Freddy so it all depends on the individual parent

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=32397724

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] rt33 16 years ago

I saw this movie when i was 8 years old. I should never have been there and i razz my idiotic parents about it to this day. This was one of their major mistakes. They didnt make many but this was a no no. This film still gives me bad feelings to this day...NOT FOR YOUNG KIDS!!!!

[–] herbertanchovy 15 years ago

I agree, I saw it at too young an age and it really scared me. I wouldnt show it to my kids

[–] Electric_Mayhem_86 15 years ago

I saw it too at a young age but the only scene that actually bothered me was the poodle pie, but thats because they forced him to eat something that look revolting to me personally as a child. Alot of the Shakespeare quotes I didn't understand but it did teach me a few things about the bard. lol

Not sure if it was my age but I was taken in by the 'man' character and the reveal at the end surprised me.

[–] envisions 15 years ago

I remember watching it when I was 10 and YES...it is very scary , gory & disturbing. I do want to see it again though, this time as an adult.

[–] elm0catt 15 years ago

What ever happened to 'watch it first before your children' and then decide?

Most nowadays just seem too LAZY to be bothered being a child's parent!!!!

[–] lastmidnite2 15 years ago

oh please, I once showed Texas Chainsaw Massacre at a 9 year old's birthday party and it was a big hit! Stop mollycoddling these children!

[–] ivankafka 11 years ago

oh please, I once showed Texas Chainsaw Massacre at a 9 year old's birthday party and it was a big hit! Stop mollycoddling these children!

Yeah that's right. No problem with them drinking alcohol instead of soda and taking a bit of real coke instead. Get them to man up and act their...uh age.

[–] charlesadams1 14 years ago

It shouldn't be appropriate although these days I guess kids see everything.
I imagine seeing those poor dogs eaten in that pie would make the most people upset though.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] westal_sage 11 years ago

No.

[–] cookieman108 8 years ago

Define 'appropriate'....