Dumbo
Dumbo is a beloved Disney franchise featuring an elephant with oversized ears who discovers he can fly. The original 1941 animated film is a classic tale of acceptance, resilience, and the strong bond between a mother and child, despite themes of bullying and separation. The 2019 live-action adaptation expands on this narrative, introducing human characters and a more elaborate circus world while retaining the core themes of celebrating uniqueness and family. Both films address the challenges of being different and the importance of self-belief. The content can be emotionally intense, particularly regarding the separation of Dumbo from his mother and the bullying he endures. The live-action version introduces slightly more complex themes and visual intensity, reflecting its PG rating.
Concerns
Violence
HighBoth films contain elements of violence, with the 2019 live-action version introducing more explicit peril and implied death. The animated classic features emotional cruelty and reactive physical violence, while the remake includes direct physical confrontations and large-scale destructive events.
In the 1941 animated film, Mrs. Jumbo violently defends Dumbo from taunting children by spanking a boy with her trunk and then throws the circus director into a water trough while being hit by whips, leading to her being chained and imprisoned as a 'mad elephant'. The 2019 live-action film depicts an elephant rampage that results in a man's implied death, with his covered body shown being loaded into a vehicle. Additionally, the villain, V.A. Vandevere, explicitly threatens to kill Mrs. Jumbo and turn her into boots, and Holt Farrier punches an animal handler in the face for cruelty towards an elephant.
Scary & Intense Content
HighBoth films contain intense and potentially frightening scenes, particularly concerning separation and bullying. The 2019 live-action version elevates this with darker visual themes and large-scale peril consistent with its director's style.
The 1941 animated film features the highly emotional and heartbreaking separation of Dumbo from his mother, Mrs. Jumbo, who is chained and imprisoned. The 'Pink Elephant on Parade' sequence, a result of accidental intoxication, is visually bizarre and can be confusing or frightening for young viewers. The 2019 live-action film includes a major fire that engulfs the Dreamland theme park, trapping main characters in a dangerous inferno. The antagonist, V.A. Vandevere, is portrayed as a cruel and menacing figure, and there is a 'Nightmare Island' attraction featuring scary, nightmarish visuals.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumNeither the 1941 animated film nor the 2019 live-action adaptation explicitly feature LGBTQ+ characters or themes. However, academic interpretations of the 1941 film link Dumbo's experience of being an outcast and finding strength in his 'otherness' to themes of Queer identity.
In the 1941 film, Dumbo is ridiculed and called a 'freak' due to his large ears by other elephants and circus-goers. An academic article, 'Touching Queerness in Disney Films Dumbo and Lilo & Stitch,' analyzes Dumbo's self-actualization through his unique difference as 'Queerness touched,' drawing parallels to the experiences of Queer individuals who face ostracization for their differences.
Profanity
MediumThe 1941 animated film contains no profanity. The 2019 live-action version includes brief instances of mild language and derogatory name-calling, contributing to a slightly elevated concern.
The 1941 animated film has no coarse language reported. In the 2019 live-action film, instances of 'hell' are heard twice from the character portrayed by Colin Farrell. There is also a 'smothered scatological curse word' and derogatory name-calling such as 'freak' and 'monster' directed at Dumbo.
Substance Use
MediumThe 1941 animated film explicitly depicts accidental alcohol consumption leading to intoxication and vivid hallucinations. The 2019 live-action adaptation significantly tones down this content to only brief mentions.
In the 1941 animated film, clown artists are shown drinking and getting drunk after a successful performance. Later, Dumbo and Timothy Mouse accidentally ingest champagne from a water trough, becoming intoxicated and experiencing the surreal and potentially disturbing 'Pink Elephant on Parade' hallucination sequence. A crow is also shown smoking a cigar. The 2019 live-action film's depiction is limited to a clown offering champagne for an elephant, met with the response that 'babies can't have alcohol'.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumBoth films feature instances of disrespect and rebellion. The original animated film highlights bullying and Mrs. Jumbo's defensive aggression. The live-action adaptation portrays children and adults actively rebelling against exploitative and unethical authority figures.
In the 1941 animated film, Dumbo endures constant ridicule and is called a 'freak' by the other elephants due to his ears. Mrs. Jumbo demonstrates rebellion by physically attacking those who torment Dumbo, resulting in her being restrained and locked away. In the 2019 live-action film, children Milly and Joe Farrier, alongside their father Holt, actively defy and undermine the villainous V.A. Vandevere and his exploitative practices to free Dumbo and reunite him with his mother.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowBoth films contain minimal romance or sexual content. The 1941 animated film is devoid of such themes. The 2019 live-action version includes very mild romantic allusions and some revealing circus attire.
The 1941 animated film contains no sexual references or nudity whatsoever. In the 2019 live-action film, there are mild instances of flirtation between the characters Colette Marchant and Holt Farrier, as well as a brief embrace between a circus couple. The character Max Medici is also shown in a bubble bath, with his chest visible.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowNeither film features explicit witchcraft or occult practices. The 1941 film includes a 'magic feather' that is revealed to be a placebo for Dumbo's confidence. The 2019 film contains fleeting non-Christian religious/cultural references.
In the 1941 animated film, the crows provide Timothy with a 'magic feather' that Dumbo believes enables him to fly; however, Timothy later reveals it was never truly magical but a tool to foster Dumbo's self-belief. The 2019 live-action film includes an Indian snake charmer character remarking that 'the gods can take animal form' upon witnessing Dumbo's flight, and Mrs. Jumbo is momentarily displayed painted as the Hindu goddess Kali, the Destroyer, for a Dreamland exhibit.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowNeither the 1941 animated film nor the 2019 live-action adaptation contains explicit anti-Christian themes. Christian reviews for the live-action film note its positive moral worldview regarding family values, though it includes fleeting non-Christian religious references.
The 1941 animated film emphasizes themes of unconditional love, friendship, and self-acceptance without any anti-Christian content. For the 2019 live-action film, Christian reviewers praise its 'strong moral worldview reflects biblical Christian values with an emphasis on family, protection and care for others'. However, it includes minor non-Christian religious references, such as an Indian snake charmer's remark about 'the gods can take animal form' and Mrs. Jumbo being temporarily painted to resemble the Hindu goddess Kali, the Destroyer, for an exhibit.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 7+ due to emotionally intense themes, bullying, and potentially frightening scenes in both versions. The 2019 live-action film also includes mild language, implied death, and more intense peril, making it less suitable for very young children.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware of the outdated and racially stereotypical portrayal of the crows in the 1941 animated film, which has been acknowledged by Disney in later releases. The live-action film, while removing these specific stereotypes, introduces darker visual elements and thematic intensity typical of Tim Burton's directorial style. The emotional impact of parental separation is a core theme across both versions and may be particularly distressing for sensitive or young children.
Related Reviews
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