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The Little Kidnappers

Original title: The Kidnappers
  • 1953
  • Approved
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
594
YOUR RATING
The Little Kidnappers (1953)
DramaFamily

Harry and Davy, two orphaned boys raised by authoritarian grandparents in Nova Scotia, yearn for a dog despite their grandfather's stern refusal, mirroring other children's pet ownership.Harry and Davy, two orphaned boys raised by authoritarian grandparents in Nova Scotia, yearn for a dog despite their grandfather's stern refusal, mirroring other children's pet ownership.Harry and Davy, two orphaned boys raised by authoritarian grandparents in Nova Scotia, yearn for a dog despite their grandfather's stern refusal, mirroring other children's pet ownership.

  • Director
    • Philip Leacock
  • Writer
    • Neil Paterson
  • Stars
    • Jon Whiteley
    • Vincent Winter
    • Adrienne Corri
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    594
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Philip Leacock
    • Writer
      • Neil Paterson
    • Stars
      • Jon Whiteley
      • Vincent Winter
      • Adrienne Corri
    • 26User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 3 wins & 4 nominations total

    Photos9

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    Top cast17

    Edit
    Jon Whiteley
    Jon Whiteley
    • Harry, Jim's Grandson
    Vincent Winter
    Vincent Winter
    • Davy - Jim's Grandson
    Adrienne Corri
    Adrienne Corri
    • Kirsty
    Duncan Macrae
    Duncan Macrae
    • Jim MacKenzie, Granddaddy
    Jean Anderson
    Jean Anderson
    • Grandma MacKenzie
    Theodore Bikel
    Theodore Bikel
    • Dr. Willem Bloem
    Francis De Wolff
    Francis De Wolff
    • Jan Hooft Sr.
    James Sutherland
    • Arron McNab
    John Rae
    • Andrew McCleod
    Jack Stewart
    • Dominie
    Jameson Clark
    Jameson Clark
    • Tom Cameron
    Eric Woodburn
    • Sam Howie
    Christopher Beeny
    Christopher Beeny
    • Jan Hooft Jr.
    Howard Connell
    • Archibald Jenkins
    Danny
    • Rover
    • (uncredited)
    Anthony Michael Heathcoat
    • Baby Girl
    • (uncredited)
    Alex McCrindle
    Alex McCrindle
    • The Minister
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Philip Leacock
    • Writer
      • Neil Paterson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews26

    7.1594
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    Featured reviews

    8loreguy

    Adorable Scottish Accents

    My siblings and I would always call babies "the bah-bee" because of how the boys pronounced that word with Scottish accents that could charm a stone.

    Continuing the tradition, my wife and I have used "the bah-bee", or "the bahby" as our secret name for our daughter (now 15).

    I have not seen the movie since I was a child, and it is tragic that I and others cannot see it now, due to the lack of DVD or video availability.

    I guess it doesn't have enough explosions in it...and the actors mostly act, rather than fight or have sex.
    10mcdonald1954

    Watch it if you get the chance, you'll enjoy

    An absolutely superb family film, free of gimmicks and superstars. every child and adult should grow up seeing this gem. It is one to be liked by all ages. The British Film industry is always credited with third rate pictures, but here we see a film that, although shot in black and white, shows they could churn out films that were the equal of any films that were made in Hollywood. Its also a credit that the actors, especially the youngsters, not forgetting Duncan MacCrae went on to make their mark in similar genre throughout their acting careers. The scenery, spoiled, of course due to lack of colour film being used, showed the ruggedness of the countryside, filming was superb and getting down to basics, how often are there children the stars of a feature length film?
    8dmcslack

    Oscar winner

    It is often overlooked that the (Little) Kidnappers young star Jon Whitely received a special Oscar for his portrayal of Harry in this film. Acting honours aside, this film is about the most perfect little family movie you will ever see.
    10pamela-christensen

    The Little Kidnappers - 1953 version - the best version!!

    What a great movie. The story is wonderful and the children in this movie are absolutely amazing. They are so natural and adorable. Actually, everyone in this film is believable and natural. The remake with Charleton Heston doesn't even come close in quality to this 1953 heart warmer. The true disappointment is that this movie has never been on video or DVD. I've looked for years and have only found pirated copies of the film as it was taped from television! And it's been years since it was on television, even as a late night movie. I miss it and would be very happy if this film was made into DVD. It's my mother's favorite movie and I would love to get her a VHS or DVD version of it!
    10gabriel364

    wonderful

    I saw this movie on television when I was a child and thought it was wonderful. There must be a copy of this poignant film out there somewhere that can be reproduced for public consumption. I'd love to add it to our video collection. The children were outstanding little actors. I believe that one of the children also played in the British version of Lord of the Flies. The harsh environment of the children and the eventual softening of the heart of the grandfather when he allows them to have a dog was incredibly touching. It reminded me, in a way of my step-father who was a wonderful hardworking man who found it difficult to show affection but when it really counted was always there for you.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to an article in Picture Show magazine dated 20 February 1954, the baby girl was played by Anthony Michael Heathcoat.
    • Goofs
      All entries contain spoilers
    • Quotes

      Davy - Jim's Grandson: Are we going to keep it forever?

      Harry, Jim's Grandson: I don't know... We'll keep it for a year or two anyways, until it's got a mind of its own - and then, if it wants to hit the trail, there won't be no stopping it.

    • Alternate versions
      Two DVD versions of The Little Kidnappers, were compared side-by-side, one from Echo Bridge (10 Movie Adventure Pack, Vol.3; ©2013 on disc; 1:29:30 disc player runtime) and one from Feature Films for Families (The Little Kidnappers; ©2009 Rekab Sudskany on disc; 1:27:24 disc player runtime). There was actually a 2:04 difference in length: Echo Bridge has two seconds of black screen before the movie starts while FFFF does not. Disc times (h:mm:ss) in the following are from the Echo Bridge version. Nine differences were observed -- two were soundtrack only without frame cuts. (1) [0:00 cut] At 0:12:30 the framed picture of a crest is shown on a wall while Harry says "The crest of the clan Mackenzie, a hill of blazin' fire", after which the shot cuts to Harry. In the FFFF version the words "a hill" have been removed from the soundtrack but no frames were cut. With the accent Harry uses, the word "hill" sounds like "hell". (2) [0:04 cut] From 0:22:12 to 0:22:16, Jim tells Hans Hooft "The hill belongs to me, James Mackenzie." Starting at 0:22:16, FFFF cut 0:04 where Jim says "If you so much as cast your shadow on it, Boer, there'll be blood." (3) [0:13 cut] The schoolmaster breaks up a fight between Harry and Jan Hooft in the schoolyard and insists the boys "shake hands and that'll be the end of it", but Harry repeatedly refuses. Starting at 0:27:26, FFFF cut 0:13 where the schoolmaster says "You willing to oppose my will, boy? [pause] If you persist in this pigheadedness I've no choice but to strap you." (4) [1:15 cut] After shooting his rifle at movement on the hill and then being told it was Harry, Jim sends Harry to the woodshed and follows him with the shaving strap. Starting at 0:42:13 FFFF cut 1:15 where Kirsten and her mother agonize over Jim's treatment of Harry while hearing him being strapped -- the cut ends at the start of the wedding scene at 0:43:28. (5) [0:00 cut] When Harry sneaks out of bed to care for the baby overnight and Davey warns him Grandpa is coming out, at 0:53:52 Davey says "That was a close one" and Harry replies "Sure was, now shut up and go back to bed." In the FFFF version, the words "now shut up and" have been removed from the soundtrack, but no frames have been cut. (6) [0:18 cut] When Kirsten and Dr. Hooft stop at the MacNeill's, FFFF cut 0:18, the shot of Mrs. MacNeill using an incantation to cure her husband from 0:54:18 to 0:54:36 which included Dr. Hooft knocking on the door. (7) [0:02 cut] In the shot beginning at 1:00:26 showing Kirsten approaching her father in front of the house as Kirsten says "Yes, father" and Jim says "Where in God's name have you been girl?", FFFF cut 0:02 of frames at the beginning of the shot, cut "in God's name" from the soundtrack, and put the cut shot and cut soundtrack back together so Jim is now saying "Where have you been girl?" (8) [0:01 cut] In the court scene shot from 1:22:17 to 1:22:21, Jim rises up and says "You send him away, Tom, I'll kill ya." FFFF cut about 0:01 off the end of this shot (and soundtrack) so Jim says "You send him away, Tom." (9) [0:06 cut] FFFF also cut 0:06 by cutting the shots from 1:22:26 to 1:22:30 where Jim says "Shut up, you scribbling Pharisee" as well as the schoolmaster's facial reaction 1:22:30 to 1:22:32.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998)

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 9, 1954 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Otmicari
    • Filming locations
      • Glen Affric, Highland, Scotland, UK
    • Production company
      • Group Film Productions Limited
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 33m(93 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White

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