Little Lord Fauntleroy

YMA recommendation

	Approved as non-violent media, with caution. Distressing scenes
Most suitable age range: 5-7

Availability

Many items on the list of non-violent media may be available for either purchase or hire. Click here for some ideas of where to look for them.

About the movie

Synopsis

Cedric Errol (Ricky Shroder) learns he is the only heir to the title of Earl of Dorrington. His Grandfather, Lord Fauntleroy (Alec Guinness), wants him to come to England to groom him in the ways of the upper classes. Ceddie had been used to the free and easy life of New York and finds life in a castle an enormous contrast. However, he manages to melt the heart of his cold, unfeeling grandfather with his innocence and kind and compassionate ways.

Points to consider

Words of caution

• Some children might find the scenes of poverty quite distressing. Lord Fauntleroy’s tenants live in quite dire circumstances: bare-footed toddlers drinking from dirty water; crippled children and a dog with only three legs; many older people sick and frail.
• Lord Fauntleroy shows Cedric the dungeon with displays of torture weapons, kept as a museum.

Positive aspects

• compassion, kindness, love and caring.
• seeing the good in others and being positive.

Questions to ask

• Why do you think Lord Fauntleroy was such a mean person?
• Why wouldn’t Lord Fauntleroy let Cedric’s Mother live in the house with them?
• How did Cedric manage to change his Grandfather?
• How else did Cedric make a difference for the poor people?