Emil and the Detectives

1964 • 99 min • Action · Adventure · Comedy · Crime

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Synopsis

When Emil travels by bus to Berlin to visit his family, his money is stolen by a crook who specializes in digging tunnels. While following the thief, Emil runs into Gustav, a young boy who gathers up all his friends to help Emil find the money. However, they get into more trouble than they bargained for when Emil's pickpocket turns out to be mixed up with a couple of notorious bank robbers.

Our family guide

Best from age 7

Movie Knight Score

33 reviews

100 Reviewers · 1 · 62%
62 Audience · 32 · 38%

When Emil

Violence & peril: 2/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 0/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Children pursuing criminals on their own
Mild peril involving a moving bus and chase scenes

What it models well

Teamwork and collaboration
Resourcefulness and quick thinking
Honesty and integrity

Talk about it after

The importance of reporting crimes to adults
How to help friends in need
Why stealing is wrong and its consequences

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Emil and the Detectives. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Peter Tewksbury • Crew: AJ Carothers

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
A respectable and watchable film. I do feel <em>'Emil and the Detectives'</em> could've been bigger and better, there's a load of good ingredients there. With that said, it is still a film that has its pluses. One is how it looks, with cool shots of 1960s Berlin. Another is the humour which is pretty solid.…
r96sk, TMDB Community