The Sapphires (2012) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
It's 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship, and war when they entertain the US troops in Vietnam as singing group The Sapphires.
Rated PG-13 • 2012 • 1h 43m
Set during the Vietnam War, 'The Sapphires' follows four young Indigenous Australian women who form a singing group to entertain U.S. troops. The film's PG-13 rating is due to thematic material involving racism, war violence, some language, and substance use. Scenes depicting the realities of war, including a chaotic attack on a military base where a main character is shot, are intense. The most significant mature element is the… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Sapphires appropriate for kids?
Set during the Vietnam War, 'The Sapphires' follows four young Indigenous Australian women who form a singing group to entertain U.S. troops. The film's PG-13 rating is due to thematic material involving racism, war violence, some language, and substance use. Scenes depicting… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Sapphires
What happens in The Sapphires, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:11 🍷 Substances 4/10
- 0:26 🔥 Mature Themes 8/10
Sex and nudity in The Sapphires
Sexual content is mild. A character is heartbroken by a called-off engagement and later flirts and dances with soldiers. Two other couples develop romances, which are shown through brief kissing and emotional conversations. There is no nudity or explicit sexual content.
Violence and gore in The Sapphires
Violence is tied to the Vietnam War setting and is moderate to strong in one key sequence. A military base is attacked with mortars and gunfire, creating a chaotic and perilous situation for the main characters. A major character, Dave, is shot and seen bleeding, though he survives. Other scenes show wounded soldiers being treated in a field hospital, one of whom is dying.
Language in The Sapphires
Language includes some profanity appropriate for a PG-13 rating, such as uses of "s--t," "hell," and "damn." The most impactful language involves racist slurs and derogatory comments directed at the Aboriginal women, reflecting the prejudices of the era. A dying soldier also makes a racist remark to a medic.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Sapphires
Substance use is present but not glorified. The group's manager, Dave, is introduced as an alcoholic, and he is seen drinking frequently, sometimes to excess. In one scene, a member of the singing group, Cynthia, gets drunk with soldiers before a performance. Social drinking and smoking are seen in various bar and military settings, consistent with the 1960s period.
Mature themes in The Sapphires
The film's primary mature themes are racism and the trauma of war. It directly addresses the overt prejudice faced by the Aboriginal women in Australia and the historical injustice of the 'Stolen Generations' policy, where a main character was forcibly removed from her family as a child. The realities of the Vietnam War are central, exploring themes of loss, fear, and mortality. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. is also referenced, reinforcing the film's exploration of racial strife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Sapphires appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Sapphires is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Set during the Vietnam War, 'The Sapphires' follows four young Indigenous Australian women who form a singing group to entertain U.S. troops. The film's PG-13 rating is due to thematic material involving racism, war…
What age rating does The Sapphires have?
The Sapphires is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Sapphires about?
Set during the Vietnam War, 'The Sapphires' follows four young Indigenous Australian women who form a singing group to entertain U.S. troops. The film's PG-13 rating is due to thematic material involving racism, war violence, some language, and substance use. Scenes depicting the realities of war, including a chaotic…
Is there sex or nudity in The Sapphires?
Sexual content is mild. A character is heartbroken by a called-off engagement and later flirts and dances with soldiers. Two other couples develop romances, which are shown through brief kissing and emotional conversations. There is no nudity or explicit…
How violent is The Sapphires?
Violence is tied to the Vietnam War setting and is moderate to strong in one key sequence. A military base is attacked with mortars and gunfire, creating a chaotic and perilous situation for the main characters. A major character, Dave, is shot and seen…
Is the language in The Sapphires appropriate for kids?
Language includes some profanity appropriate for a PG-13 rating, such as uses of "s--t," "hell," and "damn." The most impactful language involves racist slurs and derogatory comments directed at the Aboriginal women, reflecting the prejudices of the era. A…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Sapphires?
Substance use is present but not glorified. The group's manager, Dave, is introduced as an alcoholic, and he is seen drinking frequently, sometimes to excess. In one scene, a member of the singing group, Cynthia, gets drunk with soldiers before a performance…
What mature themes appear in The Sapphires?
The film's primary mature themes are racism and the trauma of war. It directly addresses the overt prejudice faced by the Aboriginal women in Australia and the historical injustice of the 'Stolen Generations' policy, where a main character was forcibly…
How long is The Sapphires?
The Sapphires runs 103 minutes, directed by Wayne Blair, released in 2012.
Where can I read the full The Sapphires parent guide?
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