Mister Roberts1955Mister Roberts
1955
In the last months of World War II, Lieutenant Doug Roberts is cargo officer on a Navy supply ship far from the fighting, under a petty, tyrannical captain. He longs for combat duty but shields his crew from the captain's spite, and they repay his sacrifice with loyalty.
Serious portrayals of sin, violence, or darkness for older children and teens (Common Sense Media 13+), watched with clear eyes and a guarded heart.
Why it’s here
Henry Fonda's Roberts is a picture of servant leadership: he gives up his own ambition for his men's welfare, and they honor him for it. The men respect the good authority in Roberts; the captain they mock is a petty tyrant. It's funny and moving, with James Cagney as the captain and Jack Lemmon's Oscar-winning Ensign Pulver.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
The crew watches nurses showering through a telescope (nothing shown), and Pulver plans to get a nurse drunk in his cabin to seduce her; both are played as sailors' comedy. The officers brew "scotch" from medicinal alcohol, and the crew comes back from shore leave drunk and brawling. Roberts's death in combat is reported in a letter and is sad; parents can talk about why the men honor Roberts but not the captain.
Mister Roberts (1955)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why does the crew love Mister Roberts but not the captain?
- What did Roberts give up for his men?
- How does Ensign Pulver change by the end?
- What makes someone a good leader?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 13+: crew members use telescopes to spy on showering nurses; Ensign Pulver lures a nurse to his quarters intending to get her drunk and seduce her; officers drink home brew made from medicinal alcohol. No violence or language flags in its grid.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Mister Roberts Blu-ray (Warner Archive Collection)
Blu-ray · December 15, 2020
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.