Catherine Called Birdy Discussion Questions and Review written by the Unicorn on October 15th, 2022. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Watch
Movie: Catherine Called Birdy
Rating: PG-13
Age Suggestion: 11+
Running Time: 1 hour and 48 minutes
Release Date: September 23, 2022
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
Warnings: Contains conversations about child loss, mild language, drunkenness, abusive parent, and sex. Portrays birth scenes and physical abuse.
Quick Catherine Called Birdy Summary
Lady Catherine, who goes by the name Birdy, is a 14-year-old girl growing up as the daughter of a broke Lord in Medieval England. So broke that his daughter must be married to someone wealthy, and quickly. The film follows Birdy through her diary entries as she learns about growing up, advocating for herself, and discovering the world around her, alongside her family, friends, and many, many suitors.
Catherine Called Birdy Review
-Is Catherine Called Birdy Appropriate?-
There is a fair amount of swearing, but it keeps it PG-13 rating. There is a lot of British slang that is considered inappropriate. There is also a lot of conversation around sex and love. It is made clear that Birdy will be married off. In addition, Birdy walks in on her parents, though nothing is shown. There are also jokes about the Virgin Mary not being a virgin.
There is a good amount of drinking shown on screen, along with drunk people. One character has a still-birth, and there is a scene of a character in childbirth. Birdy’s father repeatedly uses violence against her to atone for her misbehaving. Punches are thrown. There is some blood. There are also a few minor character deaths. While there is a lot going on in this movie, it still has a good message and story. Use your best judgement in whether this movie would be appropriate for your child. We would reccomend it for a mature 11+.
-Characters & Acting-
The acting in this movie is top-notch, especially from Bella Ramsey, who plays Birdy. Her character goes through a lot of different emotions (as most 14-year-olds do), and she handles it skillfully. You want to root for Birdy, which is important, because she is not always the perfect child.
Andrew Scott, Billie Piper, Isis Hainsworth, Joe Alwyn, and Sophie Okonedo are also all very good in this movie. Each character really shines in each scene, but I especially loved Billie Piper and Andrew Scott as Birdy’s parents, Lady Aislinn and Lord Rollo. They played imperfect parents, but their love for their daughter was palpable and believable.
-Script & Story-
The story follows Birdy as she tries to navigate growing up in late 1200s England. Birdy is such a compelling character to follow, but the way that her family and friends come around her to help her learn and grow, makes for an engaging story that leaves you wanting to know more. The story is told through Birdy’s diary entries, which means that the audience hears her honest thoughts about what is going on at any given moment.
-Film Quality-
The setting of this film is what makes it believable. Even though this is only a Prime Original, it fits the period perfectly. It feels very immersive, and it helps to tell the story. It was interesting to look at, and it felt accurate.
–Favorite Moments-
I love the moments that feel relatable to teens in any point in time. Most teenagers have falling outs with their friends, arguments with their parents, and fears about the future. Even though Catherine Called Birdy is set in the 13th century, Birdy’s story feels modern and current and relatable to those struggles even now.
Catherine Called Birdy Book vs Movie
I read the book when I was younger, and the story stays fairly close to the book, except for ending and the dad. Lord Rollo is harsher and less affectionate in the book. And as far as the ending- the audience and reviews seem to be mixed. Some like the new ending, others feel like it takes away from the economic them and punch of the book. Birdy has to make this match not because she needs to be married off, but because the whole village needs money to survive. So it’s not only her family, but everyone in her village that is counting on this to rescue them from where Lord Rollo has put them. But in general, the movie sticks closely to the book and they are both worth checking out.
Catherine Called Birdy Discussion Questions
1) Birdy doesn’t want to get married, so she tries to drive suitors away. What was your favorite way she deterred a suitor?
2) Birdy desperately wants to have control over her own future, but within the society she lives in, she doesn’t have much choice. What are some choices you can make now that Birdy couldn’t?
3) Catherine is Birdy’s real name. If you could pick a nickname for yourself, what would you pick?
4) Aelis and Birdy get into a nasty fight over Aelis courting Uncle George. Have you ever gotten into a fight with a friend where you didn’t speak to them? How did you resolve it?
5) Lord Rollo, Birdy’s father, is determined to get her married off, and doesn’t listen to what Birdy wants. How can you work with the adults in your life to make sure you can communicate what you want and need respectfully?
Meet the Author- Kate
Kate is a young disabled writer based in Colorado. She’s obsessed with anything Marvel, Disney, or theatre. She can normally be found performing and singing dramatically in the car.
Instagram: @kit_kat_kate_cat TikTok: @kathrynthecat
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