Captains Courageous1937Captains Courageous
1937
Harvey Cheyne, the spoiled son of a millionaire, falls overboard from an ocean liner and is pulled from the sea by Manuel, a Portuguese fisherman. The schooner's captain won't turn back, so Harvey must work a full season on the Grand Banks.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A spoiled boy is humbled by honest work and fathered by a humble fisherman who teaches him to pray, to work, and to love. Kipling's story, and the reconciliation of father and son at the end is earned.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Harvey lies, cheats, and sneers at the crew early on; the film shows it as wrong, he is disciplined, and he changes completely. Manuel's death after the mast breaks is sad and may need comforting, and the sailors drink, smoke, and gamble as part of shipboard life (not endorsed, not corrected).
Captains Courageous (1937)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- How did Harvey change from the start of the voyage to the end?
- What did Manuel teach Harvey that his money couldn't?
- Why did Harvey's father need to change too?
- Which moment at sea stuck with you most?
Content advisory
Dove (12+): a boy is slapped, fishhook injuries, and a fisherman dies after the mast falls; sailors drink, boys gamble and smoke a cigar; mild language.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Captains Courageous Blu-ray (Warner Archive Collection)
Blu-ray · April 28, 2026
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.