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A Kid for Two Farthings

Play trailer Poster for A Kid for Two Farthings 1956 1h 31m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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67% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 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.

Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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joseph l I must have seen this film a dozen times It’s noisy dialogue and beautiful use of colour give it a presence all its own It’s a London long gone and an insight into a community existing in the aftermath of World War 2 It has a hope and a charm that can’t fail to engage and apart from the social history aspect charms you into its story Beautiful Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Kenny H Saw this film when I was a young boy I liked it because the boy film was the same age as me and had i been to the that market it so crowded like in this film. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/09/24 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
A Kid for Two Farthings

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A Kid for Two Farthings

A Kid for Two Farthings (1956) A Kid for Two Farthings (1956) A Kid for Two Farthings (1956) A Kid for Two Farthings (1956) A Kid for Two Farthings (1956) View more photos

Movie Info

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