Kellerkinder - Orphans

I saw this film about 100 times as a child and it forever stuck in our household as a classic to watch every Christmas.

The film is about 2 young boys, Treat, an angry young man who must make his living through petty thievery, and his house-ridden younger brother, Phillip, who never leaves the house from fear of "the toxic air outside" which apparently nearly killed him as a child. A third character, Harold who is supposedly a rich businessman,played by film veteran Albert Finney, comes into the lives of the two boys after they attempt to kidnap him and hold him for ransom. Little do they know that Harold has a thing or two to teach the boys about life, family, and how to become grown men.

Orphans is an old film, but is absolutely wonderful. I am saddened by the fact that it didn't make it into the mainstream to be regarded a classic along the lines of Casablanca, Gone with the wind, Titanic, etc.

I recommend this film for anybody who has a heart.

I love when I just stumble on to a movie like this late at night, I wouldn't have known the title if not for IMDb here. Modine and Anderson are great, believable brothers. Albert Finney is always good

I gave this 8/10 8)

I just watched "The Browning version", a later film that united Mathew Modine and Albert Finney, purely on the basis that I was so compelled by their performances together in 'The Orphans'. A film that I saw some time ago, but has stayed with me since.

"The Orphans" is based on two young men, existing on the fringe of society. No doubt due to their background and the neglect of their upbringing, that they subsequently suffer various emotional and mental illness. Enter Albert Finney. A gangster whom they kidnap purely to rob. Yet despite their aggressive intentions and perhaps also because of it, he identifies with the boys and sympathises from his own orphan upbringing. Albert Finney's character intrinsically sets about to break down their defences. Battling the conflicts in a very touching transition from mugging victim to a foster father role. A situation that conflicts the boys security against the emotional needs that they require to challenge their fears and build any kind of self pride to live in society, and not on the fringe of it.

Like the previous comments have said, the film is very much like an on screenplay. I imagine that it was written as a play but don't let that put you off. I was completely compelled throughout this film and do not recall being bored from a lack of visual stimuli. Despite my usually short attention span, it was simply not the case. An unknown gem of a film that is truly a treasure when found.

Yeah a complete 10. Hard but excellent. As you follow along it draws you in. The story is good, I even step back and notice the slow camera work. So So intimate, like you get to experience a private showing of a great play right in your living room.

....I wish to mention one review above by ccthemovieman...it speaks of homosexual issues. I only hope you are young or from some other perspective...because this emotional charged story is just about " a little encouragement , a squeeze of the shoulder" really nothing more , no overtones , or other issues. It is just caring. Human caring and encouragement. Very simple, very pure. Remember this was a while ago when it was OK for males to touch and not get arrested or whatever. Society's...people's loss that that has gotten so cloudy/avoided.

So no I feel there is no homosexual suggestions or whatever in this story. ....perhaps has to do with the eye of the beholder?? I remembered this when saw it prob 25 yrs ago ....just finally found and bought it. Just as powerful as I recall.

Two ignorant, semi-depraved brothers, dead-end kids abandoned by their parents and living (so to speak) in a condemned house near Newark, New Jersey, kidnap a drunken Irish dandy and hold him for ransom, but get more than they bargained for after daylight and sobriety transforms their prisoner into a cunning thief (and surrogate father). Director Alan J. Pakula makes little attempt to open up the stage play that inspired the film, and the artificial theatricality of the setting and dialogue doesn't translate well to the big screen. But the often absorbing dynamics between each of the three high-caliber actors is enough reason to recommend the play itself, if only to stage buffs.