My 2 children are 8 and 7 and we watched it last year when they were both 7. I had never seen it and although concerned about violence, it is the 50’s and I don’t think it graphic, but that’s a matter of opinion. They understood everything about the storyline, regarding the cruelties of slavery and they loved rooting for him. We were able to discuss much about the oman gov’t and slavery and imperial domination of those gov’ts. They were deeply moved by the story. I don’t know how it compares with the book, as I’ve not read it. Another option is the Focus on the Family audio drama version as a precurser to the movie.
I will warn you that, depending which version you get, there is a scene between Tony Randall’s slave character and Lawrence Olivier’s character that had subtle overtones of homosexual interest. Now don’t panic, it’s very vague. It’s a scene in the large tub with the Roman having the slave washing him and making comments. Again, more subtle than television now. It went totally over my children’s head, but I was alittle surprised! YOur 13 yr. old might suspect something alittle odd about the interchange between the characters. Needless to say, the slave avoids the Roman’s advances.
You may want to watch it with your husband to get an idea about it, considering your own children’s sensitivities. If you don’t think now is the time, ther is the audio drama version which will avoid the issue spoken above and the women being treated badly by the Romans.
Rachel
