This old movie may be about a boy, but it really deals with a mother's emotions regarding giving her son over to live with a crotchety old man (her father-in-law). Yes, the child redeems him and in the end all are living happily ever after. I would not expect a young child of 8 or even 10 to understand the depth of what is going on. They would very likely be quite upset at the thought of being separated from their mom in a similar way.