A Kid for Two Farthings

1956

1h 31m

Fantasy

List

67%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

68%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

Joe (Jonathan Ashmore) is a young boy who lives with his mother, Joanna (Celia Johnson), in working-class London. The two reside above the tailor shop of Mr. Kandinsky (David Kossoff), who likes to tell Joe stories. When Kandinsky informs Joe that a unicorn can grant wishes, the hopeful lad ends up buying a baby goat with one tiny horn, believing it to be a real unicorn. Undaunted by his rough surroundings, Joe sets about to prove that wishes can come true.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

It’s a little bit broad and not in the class of The Third Man or The Fallen Idol, but forthright and heartfelt, and boasting a veritable aristocracy of British character acting talent.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 21, 2024

Full Review

Catherine de la Roche

Sight & Sound

With its central subject weakened, and its characters appearing rootless, the good things in Carol Reed's film are on the margin.

Mar 17, 2020

Full Review

Eugene Archer

Film Culture

An outstanding film, which will be remembered as a classic of its genre.

Mar 28, 2022

Full Review

Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

For those who can look beyond its issues and the slightly slow, episodic pacing, this is a heartwarming and hopeful movie that will inspire as much magic as audiences will allow.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 8, 2021

Full Review

MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

Carol Reed's direction... although showing touches of bravura in staging, fails to establish a rhythm which could provide a momentum for this whimsical and, in the context of its realistic surroundings, ambitious story.

Feb 5, 2018

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Delightful fantasy story.

Rated: B-

May 23, 2010

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Audience Member

lovely fantasy comedy. a young boy thinks he has a unicorn which will bring luck to his family and loved ones

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

I remember this film as a child. YEsterday some chap from the BFI was talking about a public vote for films that should be re-released. I thought of this film. I was only slightloy older than the main (child) role when i saw this so it is a bit sketchy for me. I cannot find it online but if you can, you may well enjoy it with your children. I agree that it is typically bourgeois and atypically so for a story set in the East End but hey ho, that was the way of things when Britain used its film industry for propaganda - as the Yanks still do.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

After "The Third Man" and "Odd Man Out," Carol Reed scales down and focuses on a small boy and a horned goat in poor Post War London. Superbly written and acted, but far too British to get any exposure on this side of the pond. Director Julian Temple used the same camera style in 1986's "Absolute Beginners." A quiet understated masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A kind of urban fairy tale, set in the East End's famous Petticoat Lane market. A little corny, but Carol Reed's direction, plus a fine cast and beautiful colour photography make for a charming diversion.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

delightful story amazing cast.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

BEAUTIFUL CHARMING FILM ABOUT THE INNOCENCE AND MAGIC OF CHILDHOOD..

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Carol Reed

Director

Celia Johnson

Joanna

Diana Dors

Sonia

David Kossoff

Avrom Kandinsky

Joe Robinson

Sam Heppner

Jonathan Ashmore

Joe

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Synopsis

Joe (Jonathan Ashmore) is a young boy who lives with his mother, Joanna (Celia Johnson), in working-class London. The two reside above the tailor shop of Mr. Kandinsky (David Kossoff), who likes to tell Joe stories. When Kandinsky informs Joe that a unicorn can grant wishes, the hopeful lad ends up buying a baby goat with one tiny horn, believing it to be a real unicorn. Undaunted by his rough surroundings, Joe sets about to prove that wishes can come true.

Director: Carol Reed
Production Co: London Film Productions
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (DVD): Aug 10, 2005
Runtime: 1h 31m