Rascal1969Rascal
1969
In 1918 Wisconsin, eleven-year-old Sterling North, often left alone by his traveling father, adopts a baby raccoon. Rascal's mischief tests the neighbors' patience, and Sterling must decide what is best for him.
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
Based on North's memoir: a boy learns responsibility and learns to let go.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Sterling's father leaves him alone for long stretches, which the film shows as sad and is worth talking about, and Rascal's damage gets the neighbors threatening him. Nothing else of note.
Rascal (1969)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Sterling love Rascal?
- Why did he have to let him go?
- How did Sterling's father change?
- What did Sterling learn?
Content advisory
WebSearch synthesis (Disney and AFI): G-rated; animal peril and property damage; a boy often left alone by his father; no other concerns reported.
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Rascal (1969)
DVD · May 21, 2002
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.