Review of Tarka the Otter

I see many reviews commenting about whether this film is suitable for children.... I saw this when I was 10. I'm now in my 50's. I remember this being a beautiful heartwarming delightful story. Right up until the otter is brutally and deliberately murdered! I love animals and I didn't realize at the time, but this film actually traumatized me. Seriously. Now as an adult, if there is a hint that the animal star of the show might come to a sad end, I have to get my husband to check the spoilers to see if it dies. If it does; I can't watch it. So, for those saying it's perfectly fine for kids, and for those saying it isn't.... I would say it very much depends on the temperament of the child, whether they are at an impressionable age, and how much empathy and compassion they already have for animals. If you watch it and aren't affected, then you must be quite cold and unemotional. I gave it a 3 because of the traumatic impact it had on my life, but I do remember it being beautiful up until that point. It's probably dated now, but I suspect the contrast of the love and beauty in the film is what made the death even more horrific. I would recommend parents make the judgement call for themselves. Watch it first before you let your child watch it if you're unsure. Maybe just let them watch the beauty of the otters and then stop the film before the horror? That would be my personal opinion based on my own experience. I hope it may help someone. Thank you.