The Little Kidnappers

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The Little Kidnappers

1954

1h 33m

Drama

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4 Reviews

91%

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50+ Ratings

After losing their father in the Boer War, orphaned brothers Harry (Jon Whiteley) and Davy (Vincent Winter) must leave their home in Scotland to live with their grandmother (Jean Anderson) and cantankerous grandfather (Duncan Macrae) in Nova Scotia. The boys want nothing more than a pet dog, but their grandfather refuses to get them one. Then, when the brothers find an abandoned baby, they decide to keep it -- but the foundling may not have been abandoned after all.

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Charming children's story.

Rated: B+

Apr 27, 2020

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

A poignant and funny comedy-drama...it probably was the best of 1954's several worthy exports from Britain.

Oct 31, 2019

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Virginia Graham

The Spectator

In sum this is a touching, funny, sad, delightful filet and should not be missed.

Jun 19, 2018

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MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

The playing of Duncan Macrae, Theodore Bikel and Adrienne Corri, the attractive Scottish locations, and the above-average musical score are other assets of this noteworthy, if not entirely successful, British production.

Feb 5, 2018

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Audience Member

Charming little British classic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

I loved this film, so hilarious and so sweet. Eigh year old Harry and his five year old brother Davy have to live in Nova Scotia with their aunt and grandparents after their father dies. The two want a dog, but their strict grandpa won't let them have one. One day, Harry finds a baby in the woods so the two decide to keep it a secret and try to raise it. This is such a wonderful film, John Whiteley and Vincent Winter are pretty much the cutest kids in the world, especially Winter (Davy) and I love that the two won Oscars for it. The ending is so sweet and perfect. And man, Davy delivers one of the funniest lines I have ever heard in a long time. It's so sad that this movie is so impossible to find.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

The kids in this movie are just beautiful.... I love it!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Great acting from the two child leads lifts this above the usual "god-fearing patriarch needs to lighten up" faire.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Philip Leacock

Director

Duncan Macrae

Jim MacKenzie

Jon Whiteley

Harry

Vincent Winter

Davy

Adrienne Corri

Kirsty

Jean Anderson

Grandma MacKenzie

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Synopsis

After losing their father in the Boer War, orphaned brothers Harry (Jon Whiteley) and Davy (Vincent Winter) must leave their home in Scotland to live with their grandmother (Jean Anderson) and cantankerous grandfather (Duncan Macrae) in Nova Scotia. The boys want nothing more than a pet dog, but their grandfather refuses to get them one. Then, when the brothers find an abandoned baby, they decide to keep it -- but the foundling may not have been abandoned after all.

Director: Philip Leacock
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 33m