Tales of the Riverbank
Tales of the Riverbank
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
1/5
Mild
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This children's adventure film follows three small rodents who are swept away from home by a storm, in a story that is mostly gentle, colorful, and centered on teamwork. The main sensitive material comes from natural danger, separation from home, some chase sequences, and threatening villains connected to pollution that harms the characters' environment. The intensity stays moderate and highly stylized, with recurring peril but a reassuring overall tone, no graphic violence, no sexual content, and clean language. For most children, it is suitable from about age 5, though more sensitive viewers may be unsettled by the storm, drifting on the river, or the mean antagonists. I would advise parents to watch with younger children so they can quickly reassure them during tense scenes and emphasize the film's positive messages about friendship, bravery, and caring for nature.
Synopsis
Tales of the Riverbank tells the story of three friends - Hammy Hamster, Roderick Rat and GP the Guinea Pig - who, having swept down the river in a violent storm, embark on an epic journey in search of their lost homes. Their journey, full of comic incident and dramatic danger, becomes even more precarious when they discover that the whole riverbank is threatened by a waffle, Marmalade and Doughnut (WMD) factory which, owned by the evil Fat Cats, is polluting the countryside with increasingly dangerous emissions...the Big Dirt!
Difficult scenes
Early in the story, a violent storm sweeps the small animals away from their homes. This sequence may unsettle young children because it combines strong weather, rushing water, sudden separation, and a clear sense that the heroes are vulnerable and out of control. Several scenes focus on the characters drifting along the river without knowing where to go or how to get back. The danger remains child friendly, but the idea of being lost, carried by water, and relying on others for safety may worry sensitive viewers. The film also includes villains and an environmental threat that puts the heroes' world at risk. There is no graphic violence, however the contrast between the tiny animals and larger hostile forces creates recurring tension, especially when pollution makes their surroundings feel more dangerous.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2008
- Runtime
- 1h 16m
- Countries
- United Kingdom
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- John Henderson
- Main cast
- Stephen Fry, Jim Broadbent, Steve Coogan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Peter Serafinowicz, Morwenna Banks, Miranda Hart
- Studios
- PWW Productions, Handmade Films
Content barometer
Violence
1/5
Mild
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
1/5
Accessible
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This children's adventure film follows three small rodents who are swept away from home by a storm, in a story that is mostly gentle, colorful, and centered on teamwork. The main sensitive material comes from natural danger, separation from home, some chase sequences, and threatening villains connected to pollution that harms the characters' environment. The intensity stays moderate and highly stylized, with recurring peril but a reassuring overall tone, no graphic violence, no sexual content, and clean language. For most children, it is suitable from about age 5, though more sensitive viewers may be unsettled by the storm, drifting on the river, or the mean antagonists. I would advise parents to watch with younger children so they can quickly reassure them during tense scenes and emphasize the film's positive messages about friendship, bravery, and caring for nature.
Synopsis
Tales of the Riverbank tells the story of three friends - Hammy Hamster, Roderick Rat and GP the Guinea Pig - who, having swept down the river in a violent storm, embark on an epic journey in search of their lost homes. Their journey, full of comic incident and dramatic danger, becomes even more precarious when they discover that the whole riverbank is threatened by a waffle, Marmalade and Doughnut (WMD) factory which, owned by the evil Fat Cats, is polluting the countryside with increasingly dangerous emissions...the Big Dirt!
Difficult scenes
Early in the story, a violent storm sweeps the small animals away from their homes. This sequence may unsettle young children because it combines strong weather, rushing water, sudden separation, and a clear sense that the heroes are vulnerable and out of control. Several scenes focus on the characters drifting along the river without knowing where to go or how to get back. The danger remains child friendly, but the idea of being lost, carried by water, and relying on others for safety may worry sensitive viewers. The film also includes villains and an environmental threat that puts the heroes' world at risk. There is no graphic violence, however the contrast between the tiny animals and larger hostile forces creates recurring tension, especially when pollution makes their surroundings feel more dangerous.