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Mary Poppins

Name: Mary Poppins - Christian Parent's Review
Item: Mary Poppins
Rating: 3
Author: StoryScanner

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is a beloved 1964 musical fantasy film from Disney, known for its enchanting blend of live-action and animation. Set in early 20th century London, the story follows the eccentric and magical nanny, Mary Poppins, who arrives at the Banks' household to care for the two mischievous children, Jane and Michael. Through her unique methods, which often involve whimsical adventures and songs, Mary Poppins helps the children and their preoccupied parents reconnect and find joy in everyday life. The film explores themes of family values, imagination, and the importance of a balanced life. Its timeless songs and charming characters have made it a classic for generations. This cinematic experience is generally suitable for a broad family audience, though some elements might warrant parental discussion depending on a child's sensitivity. The narrative centers on the transformation of the uptight Banks family, particularly Mr. Banks, from a stern banker to a loving father, influenced by Mary Poppins's firm but affectionate guidance. Mrs. Banks is depicted as an activist for women's suffrage, reflecting societal changes of the era. The movie's fantastical elements, from flying with an umbrella to jumping into chalk drawings, create a world of wonder that appeals to children. The overall tone is uplifting and positive, emphasizing the power of imagination and the importance of empathy within a family unit. While primarily a heartwarming tale, the film does contain moments of mild intensity and language that may be a consideration for younger viewers.

Things to Consider

Medium4

ProfanityWitchcraft & OccultScary & Intense ContentDisrespect & Rebellion

Low5

LGBTQ & Gender IdentityViolenceRomance and Sexual ContentSubstance UseAnti-Christian Themes

Medium4

Profanity

The film contains limited instances of language that has been reclassified as discriminatory. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) recently upgraded the movie's rating to PG specifically due to the use of a racial slur by one of the characters.

1. Admiral Boom twice uses the term "hottentot," a derogatory term historically used to refer to indigenous African people, once when asking Michael if he was going to "defeat Hottentots" and again when he mistakes soot-covered chimney sweeps for "Hottentots." 2. The BBFC stated that "the use of discriminatory language is not condemned, and ultimately exceeds our guidelines for acceptable language at 'U,'" leading to the PG reclassification.

Witchcraft & Occult

The film prominently features magical elements that are central to Mary Poppins's character and the plot. These are consistently portrayed as whimsical, benevolent, and fantastical, used to bring joy and teach lessons, rather than being dark, ritualistic, or occult in nature.

1. Mary Poppins possesses numerous magical abilities, such as flying with an umbrella, pulling large items from her carpet bag, and animating a chalk pavement drawing into a lively countryside where characters interact with animated figures. 2. Uncle Albert has a magical condition where he floats uncontrollably towards the ceiling when he laughs, and only comes down when he becomes sad, which is a whimsical and harmless display of supernatural ability.

Scary & Intense Content

The movie contains a few scenes that might be intense or slightly frightening for very young children, primarily involving chaotic situations or intimidating figures, but these moments are generally brief and resolve without lasting negative impact.

1. The scene at the bank where Mr. Banks takes the children, leading to a run on the bank, can be frightening due to the sudden chaos, shouting, and the crowd's panicked reaction. The children's shock and distress are evident. 2. Mr. Dawes Sr., the elderly and stern head of the bank (played by Dick Van Dyke), appears quite intimidating to the children, particularly during the confrontational bank scene, which could be unsettling for young viewers.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Initially, the Banks children exhibit a degree of disrespect and rebellious behavior towards authority figures and their parents, leading to a succession of nannies quitting. Mrs. Banks also actively participates in the suffragette movement, challenging societal norms.

1. Jane and Michael Banks are portrayed as mischievous and disobedient at the beginning of the film, having driven away several nannies before Mary Poppins arrives, indicating a pattern of disrespect for rules and authority. 2. Mrs. Banks is a suffragette, actively participating in protests for women's voting rights, which, while portrayed positively as fighting for equality, was considered a rebellious and unconventional stance for women at the time.

Low5

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The 1964 film "Mary Poppins" itself does not feature any explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes. While discussions exist among adult audiences and scholars regarding interpretations of P.L. Travers's (the author) personal life and the film's broader themes of acceptance, these are not directly depicted in the movie's content for children. The director of the sequel, "Mary Poppins Returns," has expressed interest in including LGBTQ+ rights in future installments, but this does not apply to the original film.

1. P.L. Travers, the author of the 'Mary Poppins' books, had romantic relationships with both men and women and lived with Madge Burnand for a decade, though this biographical detail is not reflected in the content of the 1964 film. 2. While some viewers interpret Mary Poppins's character and the film's overall message of self-acceptance and connection as resonating with LGBTQ+ themes, this is an audience interpretation rather than explicit narrative content within the movie.

Violence

The film contains very mild, mostly slapstick violence and cartoon peril. There are no graphic depictions of injury or death. Any intense moments are resolved quickly and do not involve realistic violence, remaining within the realm of fantasy or comedic mishaps.

Romance and Sexual Content

Romantic and sexual content in "Mary Poppins" is minimal and innocent. There are implied mild romantic feelings and flirtation, primarily between Mary Poppins and Bert, but these relationships remain platonic and wholesome, suitable for all ages.

Substance Use

There is minimal and indirect depiction of substance use in the film. No characters are shown consuming illegal drugs, and any references to alcohol are fleeting and not central to the plot or portrayed in a way that encourages consumption.

Anti-Christian Themes

The film does not contain any explicit anti-Christian themes, mockery of Christian beliefs, or sacrilegious content. Its magical elements are presented as fantasy and whimsy rather than spiritual practices conflicting with Christian doctrine. The narrative focuses on secular virtues like family love, responsibility, and joy.

1. The magic displayed by Mary Poppins, such as flight and animating drawings, is consistently presented as benign, whimsical, and integral to her character as a fantastical nanny, rather than being linked to any occult or anti-religious practices. 2. The film's moral messages revolve around family harmony, kindness, and finding happiness, which are universally positive themes and do not contradict Christian values.

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From a Christian worldview, "Mary Poppins" offers a rich tapestry of themes that largely align with biblical values, particularly in its emphasis on family, love, and redemption. The core message revolves around the transformation of a family distracted by the world's demands into one that cherishes connection and joy. Mr. Banks' journey from a stern, work-obsessed banker to a loving father exemplifies a movement away from materialism and towards a transcendent view of life where relationships hold greater value. This shift echoes biblical principles that warn against the dangers of covetousness and the prioritizing of worldly possessions over spiritual and relational well-being (Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:10). Characters like Mr. Banks are rewarded for their virtue of choosing family and love over material success, while his earlier vice of neglect leads to a broken household. Mary Poppins, often interpreted as a Christ-like figure, serves as a catalyst for this transformation, bringing grace and a path to redemption to the family. Her firm but loving guidance and miraculous interventions can be seen as a representation of divine intervention in human lives, offering hope and a chance for new beginnings. Bert, as a loyal friend and helper, further reinforces the importance of community and supportive relationships. The movie portrays a clear moral accountability where the consequences of actions, both positive and negative, are evident. The worldview presented is distinctly transcendent, highlighting the importance of unseen joy, imagination, and self-sacrifice over a purely materialistic existence. The film strongly champions traditional family values, emphasizing the vital roles of both parents in nurturing and raising children. Mary Poppins' efforts encourage Mr. and Mrs. Banks to engage actively with their children, fostering love, communication, and shared experiences. The message underscores that children need parents who are present and prioritize their emotional and spiritual development over external pursuits. While Mrs. Banks' involvement in the suffrage movement reflects societal changes, the film ultimately brings the family unit together, reinforcing the sanctity and importance of the home as a place of love and belonging. The fantastical elements, while not directly religious, encourage a childlike faith and wonder, suggesting that there is more to life than what is merely seen or logically explained. There is no explicit representation of organized Christianity or specific religious practices within the film. However, the themes of forgiveness, grace, and redemption, particularly through Mr. Banks' transformation, resonate deeply with Christian teachings, illustrating that even those who are lost can find their way back to what truly matters. The movie subtly conveys a message that true richness lies not in wealth or status, but in loving relationships and a heart open to joy and selfless giving.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

6+ due to some mild discriminatory language, a few intense scenes for very young children, and themes of disrespect that are eventually resolved. The BBFC recently updated its rating to PG, citing discriminatory language.

Good to Know

The most notable content update for parents is the recent reclassification of the film to PG by the BBFC due to the use of a discriminatory term. Parents should be aware of this specific language, which occurs twice in the movie. While the overall tone is lighthearted, some scenes of peril or chaotic crowd behavior may be intense for very young or sensitive children. The sequel, 'Mary Poppins Returns,' introduces a new generation of the Banks family and continues the tradition of featuring social causes, with its director expressing a future interest in LGBTQ+ themes for potential subsequent films, but this is not present in the original 1964 movie.

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