The Major of Casterbridge - Free movies for kids

The Mayor of Casterbridge

Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci-TFtdgLsE

Gosh, this two-part movie, based on the Thomas Hardy novel, is so impressive, not because of special effects or scenery but because of its portrayal of human emotions, weaknesses and failings. The focus is on one man who cannot help but isolate himself through impulsive decisions born out of emotion, often resentment and vengefulness. However, it's hard to not pity him as he suffers the most due to his actions and regrets his behaviour. The story doesn't hit home until the very end of the movie, the story said to be the most tragic of period literature.

This might all sound too heavy for a child but my ten year old daughter never said a word due to being totally fixated for the full three hours. She didn't move! Considering she has attention problems you can imagine how much she loved watching this movie, which is free to watch on Youtube with no need to click on a link or register anywhere.

What we like to do after watching a period film such as The Major of Casterbridge is read reviews to find out more about the stories but based on the books and not the movies. This is a nice reviews on the story and this is another one.

It's so much better to expose your child to stories about human character traits, which hopefully they will learn from, than violent or over-sexualised Hollywood or Disney propaganda, which they will also learn from if shown. You get out what you put in.