Analysis of a Children's Film

Five Children and It (2004)
Rated U

"Five children and It" is a film about four children whose discovery of a grouchy and ancient sand fairy leads them into a world where wishes are always granted, but at a cost. Set in World War One the film is a heartwarming comedy about the mishaps and adventures of the children, as they learn to be careful of what they wish for.

The film rating of U was given because of the moral messages included in the film, and because of the positive lessons the children learn throughout.

Editing / Camera Shots / and Angles
In the first sequence clips of articles are shown, and these fade to reveal a simple title, “Five Children and It” and then fades again to reveal the scene of a crowded train station in 1917. The shots have then been cut so that the target audience can follow the action easily.

Mid-shots are used so that the main character is in the centre of the screen from the beginning and, although he is not seen at first because of passers-by, the camera is always in line with his head. Mid-shots are the only shots used to establish the setting so that the audience is aware of how crowded the station is, because the camera is always being blocked from view.

Sound/Music
The opening music is a light hearted orchestra piece and plays underneath the narration, alongside the sound effect of an aeroplane propeller (which links in with the idea of war) and another, wand like sound effect which suggests that the film will contain magic.

Setting / Colour and Filters look
From the character’s narration and from the backdrop of newspaper articles, which layer up and overlap and fade over each other at the beginning of the film, the audience learns that the setting is at a time during world war one.

The first few seconds of the film are in a sepia tone but gradually fades into colour. The lighting is soft and natural because of the setting.

Characters / Narrative / Dialogue
One of the main characters provides the narration at the beginning of the film and introduces the dilemma of the parents going away to work or to fight in the midst of WW1, revealing that the children are to be sent away to stay with their “mad” uncle.

The main character is shown to be deeply upset about being sent away, and acts out against his older brother who bosses him about from the outset. However the dialogue is not inappropriate and no words are exchanged between the characters in an angry or violent way and the arguments between the children are glossed over by the kind words of the mother as she takes control of the situation.

Costumes / Props
Costumes are typical of the era the film is set in and all of the characters and extras have been dressed appropriately for that genre. The trains used in the film are old fashioned steam trains and the set which has been used fits in well with the genre. A newspaper from the decade is in the hand of an extra and items such as brief cases and stereotypical tweed suits, carried and worn by the extras have been incorporated into the background to paint a small picture of what life is like within that time.