The introduction is Beatrix driven indoors by rain while painting, and then segueing into the animated story.
Children today will not know what is going on with the warren of chimneys, and Samuel's snuff-dipping, but it does depict the 19th-century village of Potter's era.
It may scare younger children to think Tom is going to be eaten (and it's curious that the two rats don't mention his mother Tabitha catching and eating other rats), but it is a well-done production. ( )