Kruimeltje

I suspect that the author of this story read a lot of Charles Dickens' works, because the film has a true Dickensian feel about it, and the somewhat sepia-toned colour adds a touch of old world charm like the parchment pages of an antique book.

I liked this film immensely. It was one of those occasions when I felt obliged to watch it right through. I even managed a tear or two towards the end.

The story concerns Kruimeltje a 10 year old illegitimate boy whose mother filled with shame gave him away soon after he was born. The father of the boy fled to America to make his fortune. Kruimeltje became an urchin stealing from the street barrows and the shops to stay alive....sleeping in churches or huddled in doorways. A stray dog became his constant companion. His rebellious nature gave him the courage to continue from day to day hoping that sooner or later his father would come back to claim him.

This great little actor is on the screen most of the time and he carries you along in his series of adventures. These were the days when the school-master's cane shaped the lives of the students who were forced to comply with the school regulations and were beaten into submission. There is a heart-rending scene where Kruimeltje paralyzed with pain from a terrible beating can only think of feeding his faithful dog.

The supporting roles are interesting, played with all stops out. His foster mother is a spiteful wretch who demands payment for his keep. There is one scene which may need some parental guidance. A drunken partner following a bout of drinking forces her down on a table and tries to sexually assault her. Frightened Kruimeltje goes to her rescue. The rest of the film is good family entertainment. There are sad moments and funny moments. A sad moment involves a priest who kicks him out of the church where he sought shelter for the night. No compassion here. A funny moment is when he steals the key to let loose his impounded dog. Excitement plus as they are re-united.

Don't question some of the improbabilities of the story. Sit back and be entertained. The whole family can enjoy it together.

Forget Home Alone, dont think about Air Bud: this is the childmovie for every age. It's a story about a homeless kid of ten years old, who had a heart of gold. The storyline is simple, and sometimes a litle dull. Could have used a liltle more humour near the end, but it's very heartwarming. See it with the family.

A lovely story about a boy, given away as a baby to a nasty woman, in search for his parents.

Filmed in the tradition of musicals like David Copperfield and Oliver Twist, without the songs and with the sense of reality that's typical for most Dutch movies. I quite liked it and the children too, apparently: a cinema full of little ones, silent as mice.

The story follows a nice pace and many people and places looked a lot liked I pictured them from reading the book. However, having read the book several times in my childhood I felt disappointed about how the movie handles the storyline. Things that were surprises in the book that were kept for the very end were given away halfway the film. In my opinion that spoils a lot of the surprise effect. So my warning to those who read the book is of course not to expect the storyline from the book. And those who want to show people this movie to interest them in the book should be warned that for the best story experience one should read the book first. Otherwise it's a nice family movie that is not a typical Dutch movie at all.

"Little Crumb," directed by Maria Peters, tells the heartwarming story of a young boy named Kruimeltje (Little Crumb) who embarks on adventures in search of his long-lost parents. Set in the early 20th century in the Netherlands, the film captures the innocence and resilience of childhood against a backdrop of poverty and hardship.

While "Little Crumb" offers moments of charm and nostalgia, it struggles to leave a lasting impression. The plot follows familiar tropes of orphan tales, lacking the depth and originality to stand out from similar films. The performances by the young cast are earnest but fail to elevate the material beyond its predictable storyline.

Despite its shortcomings, "Little Crumb" may appeal to younger audiences with its simple yet heartfelt message of family and belonging. However, for older viewers, it may feel like a forgettable journey down a well-trodden path.