Kid's Films Based on Books with Sad Endings

Charlotte's Web, Bridge to Terabithia, Grave of the Fireflies

Jun 18, 2009

Most films for children end on a happy note. These three thought-provoking movies and animated films are based on books that have bittersweet endings.

Not all children’s films have happy endings. Charlotte's Web, Bridge to Terabithia and Grave of the Fireflies - films and animated movies based on novels of the same name - deal with the realities of death, grief and war.

Who can get through this movie without shedding a tear or two for Charlotte? Based on the 1952 book by E B. White, this story was first produced as an animated film and later as a live action/computer animated film. Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider are memorable characters. Charlotte helps Wilbur overcome his fears and helps the runt of the litter avoid being made into bacon by spinning signs such as some pig to create a sensation and convince the farmer of his worth. The two become fast friends. Because of the short lifespan of spiders, Charlotte must soon leave Wilbur. Charlotte’s fate may be the first encounter children have in films with death. Of course, Charlotte has many, many offspring to keep Wilbur company, but well, they’re not Charlotte.

1973 Paramount Pictures animated version--voice cast includes Rex Allen as narrator, Pamelyn Ferdon as Fern, Henry Gibson as Wilbur and Debbie Reynolds as Charlotte

2006 Paramount Pictures live action/computer animated film-starring Dakota Fanning as Fern, Dominic Scott Kay as Wilbur, and Julia Roberts as Charlotte

Bridge to Terabithia

When this novel was read by a fifth-grade class, the teacher had to pass around handkerchiefs. No wonder. This very touching and realistic story, written by Katherine Patterson in 1977, has twice been made into film. It is about loneliness, true friendship and loss. Two unlikely children, a boy and a girl, befriend each other and create a fantasy world where they can escape the unhappiness of their day to day lives and the stresses they face at home and at school. Jesse and Leslie draw strength from one another. Then an unfortunate accident takes the life of the girl, leaving her friend alone to cope with guilt, anger and grief.

The novel was inspired by a real event when in August of 1974 a friend of the author's son was struck by lightning and killed. The book has come across criticism from censorship boards for being too depressing for children.

2007 Disney version starring Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb and Zooey Deschanel

Grave of the Fireflies-Japanese Animated Anti-War Film

Tears come to the eyes just thinking about this animated Japanese anti-war anime. This is the story of two orphans, Seita and his little sister Setsuko, who lose their parents in the war. Seita tries hard to take care of his younger sibling. They struggle to survive, battling famine and the indifference of cold-hearted relatives. The two move into an abandoned bomb shelter, where they face slow starvation. Seita is finally able to get money for food, but when he hurries back to the shelter it is too late to save Setsuko. The title comes from the fireflies that Setsuko sees while they are living in the cave. The little child wonders at their beauty and their short lives, which parallel her own.

The film is an adaptation of a semi-autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka. It was written as a tribute to his sister who died from malnutrition during the 1945 war. He blamed himself for her death and wrote the story as an apology.

The 1988 animated version of Grave of the Fireflies, written and directed by Isao Takahata, got a “thumbs up” from Roger Ebert as one of the best anti-war films ever made. It can be purchased through DVD stores. There is also a Japanese 2005 live action version of this film.

The copyright of the article Kid's Films Based on Books with Sad Endings in Film Dramas Based on Books is owned by Vickie Britton. Permission to republish Kid's Films Based on Books with Sad Endings in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.