In Frank Conroy's Body and Soul, a novel set in the 1940's that describes the mental and professional growth of a musical prodigy named Claude, the boy protagonist draws these "life lessons" from the films he viewed.

 
In a similar way, speaking in the voice of an American 12 year old viewing Gunga Din 1939, students in the Wednesday section drew the following "life lessons" from Gunga Din:
Friends stand by friends. There's a big world out there beyond my own and, whatever their race, humans want similar things the world over.
Good triumphs over evil. We have to look out for one another.
War inevitably exists. Humans are greedy, and their greed causes them trouble. Humans survive when they stand by their friends. Taking sides is inevitable. In the human heart, there is no neutrality. The English are good.
Heroes emerge from unexpected places. You can be one. Life is valor. Different as they are, the British and the Indians honor brave hearts and duty.
Indian soldiers and white soldiers feel similar allegiance to their countries. Honor your country.
After friendship, self-sacrifice is the highest good. One brave act can save millions.
To fight and die for something you strongly believe in is honorable, even if no one else believes in you. In danger, act.
There is a lot more happening out there in the world than I ever heard of. Britain upholds the right. It's okay to let a slave die for his cause because death will make him honorable. [In other words, this film teaches bias.]
You have to fight to preserve what's right. A good man puts the safety of his country before his own happiness.
It's their strong will and good heart, not their race, that makes a person a good human being. Stand by your friends. Stand up for your beliefs.
The world is a frightening and complicated place. Evil abounds in the world.
Friendship is more important than love.  

The "life lessons" of your imaginary 12 year olds converge, with two exceptions. But where do your convergent ideas begin? How does a film maker--a George Stevens, for instance--inveigle from darkness a communal dream?

We'll jump into the film and answer those questions next time. Stay tuned.