My Side of the Mountain

A boy who dreams of leaving civilization.

1969 • 100 min • Action · Adventure · Drama · Family

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Synopsis

Thirteen-year-old Sam Gribley, a devotee of Thoreau, decides to leave the city to spend a sabbatical in the Canadian woods and see if he can make it as a self-sufficient spirit after his parents promise a summer trip that doesn't pan out.

Our family guide

Best from age 7

Movie Knight Score

26 reviews

68 Audience · 26 · 100%

A 13-year-old boy leaves his city life behind to test his survival skills in the Canadian wilderness. He builds a home in a tree, forages for food, and befriends local wildlife, learning to live off the land.

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

Heads up

Brief moments of mild peril in nature

What it models well

Self-reliance and resourcefulness
Respect for nature
Perseverance
Problem-solving

Talk about it after

What does it mean to be self-sufficient?
The challenges and rewards of living close to nature
Making responsible choices in the wild

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for My Side of the Mountain. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.