Approaching the Elephant

2015·Movie
1h 28min

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Approaching the Elephant fingerprint

Strong craft, calm.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension3
  • Fast Pace2
  • Adrenaline1

Heart

Emotionally reserved

Much of it is about family and growing up.

  • Family Dynamics8
  • Coming of Age7
  • Wholesome6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Cringe Humor3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

Everyday modern life, society, and family

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Novelty7

Craft

Standout characters, performances, and dialogue

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Sound Centrality6

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

APPROACHING THE ELEPHANT is a feature-length documentary about The Teddy McArdle Free School, where classes are optional and rules are made by democratic vote. Summerhill, founded 90 years ago by A. S. Neill, was the first free school - now there are more than 200 worldwide. Approaching the Elephant chronicles a free school in the making - spanning two years, from Teddy McArdle's first day when there were no rules or classes, through the changing of the school's director and the expulsion of a student by democratic vote, to the last day of the second year, APPROACHING THE ELEPHANT is an intimate portrait of a small group of people from a range of educational backgrounds, come together to forge a place where children are treated as equals, at liberty to spend their days however they please.
Observational DocumentaryEducational PhilosophyAlternative SchoolingChild DevelopmentDemocratic ExperimentSocial DynamicsHuman BehaviorContemporary Issues

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about Approaching the Elephant

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Approaching the Elephant legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Approaching the Elephant worth watching?

82
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 7, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 82). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is Approaching the Elephant?

1 h 28 min

Approaching the Elephant runs 1 h 28 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Approaching the Elephant?

Critics91
Audiences76

Not quite. Critics rate Approaching the Elephant higher (91) than audiences (76). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Approaching the Elephant in?

English

It was made in English.

In how many countries can I watch Approaching the Elephant?

10AUBZCAGBHKIEMXPHTWUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Approaching the Elephant in 10 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

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