[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Les kidnappers

Original title: The Kidnappers
  • 1953
  • Tous publics
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
595
YOUR RATING
Les 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
    595
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Philip Leacock
    • Writer
      • Neil Paterson
    • Stars
      • Jon Whiteley
      • Vincent Winter
      • Adrienne Corri
    • 25User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 3 wins & 4 nominations total

    Photos9

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 3
    View Poster

    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 reviews25

    7.1595
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    10phyllisbrookss

    Two small orphaned children in Nova Scotia find a baby and keep it as a pet.

    Another of the older generation chiming in! I saw this on its first release and have never forgotten it. I can still recite whole sections: "Granddaddy, granddaddy, don't eat the babby!" or the two little boys deciding what to call the baby girl: "We'll call it Edward, after the king"; "I still think Rover's a very nice name." And the scene as the Scottish girl washes her hair by the fire under the loving eye of the Dutchman, Theodore Bikel.

    The black and white photography is magical. The view of the tall grandfather striding along with his flying beard, seen from the level of the littlest boy, is still tattooed behind my eyes!

    Definitely a must-see.

    I pair it with another long-time favorite, the South African "Pennywhistle Blues," as a cherished treasure.
    10cat_rose

    Love this Film

    This film means a lot to me and my family. Duncan MacRae (Grandaddie) is a relative on my mother's side. It is lovely to hear these nice comments about this film from people as I think it is a great film. The two wee boys are such fantastic actors and make the film what it is. I have a cousin who was the spitting image of Davy. We used to make him run around yelling 'Don't eat the babbie, Grandaddie!'

    I am still trying to find it on DVD/Video for my grandmother as we only have an old copy that was recorded off the telly. So if anyone can tell me where I could get a hold of an official copy of it that would be great.
    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.
    8oconnoraidan

    Heartwarming movie rarely seen today

    I came across this charming film today, purely by accident while scanning my TV channels. I was absolutely delighted at this lucky chance. It is 52 years ago since I saw it on its 1st release and many memories came flooding back of a film which made a great impression on me as a young boy. The background of old world emigrants carving out new lives in the wilds of Nova Scotia, the script using authentic Scottish phrases and idioms, the splendid acting by the principals all combined to make a lasting memory of this excellent story. As a boy, I could never forget the final scene where the formally stern grandfather relents and orders an Irish Setter for his his 2 grandsons. Their delighted expressions filled the final fade-out - an unforgettable film for me and one which should fill the Christmas TV schedules in preference to some of the less memorable films which turn up every year.

    More like this

    Ron débloque
    7.1
    Ron débloque
    L'enfant et la licorne
    6.4
    L'enfant et la licorne
    Le Petit Fugitif
    7.5
    Le Petit Fugitif
    Main dans la main
    7.4
    Main dans la main
    Les trois vies de Thomasina
    7.2
    Les trois vies de Thomasina
    L'enlèvement de David Balfour
    6.6
    L'enlèvement de David Balfour
    Bobby des Greyfriars
    7.2
    Bobby des Greyfriars
    Matilda, la comédie musicale
    7.0
    Matilda, la comédie musicale
    Le Voleur de Bagdad
    7.4
    Le Voleur de Bagdad

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T., l'extra-terrestre (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)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ16

    • How long is The Little Kidnappers?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 9, 1954 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Little Kidnappers
    • 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

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.