Kruimeltje (1999)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Maria Peters

Writers:

Chris van Abkoude (book)
Maria Peters (writer)

Release Date:

9 December 1999 (Netherlands)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Pianist | Rotterdam Netherlands | Orphan | Hit By Car | Orphanage

Awards:

3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Ruud Feltkamp	...	Kruimeltje
Hugo Haenen	...	Wilkes
Eric van der Donk	...	Commissaris
Sacha Bulthuis	...	Vrouw Koster
John Kraaykamp	...	Bewaker hondenpark (as Johnny Kraaikamp Sr.)
Rick Engelkes	...	Harry Volker
Thekla Reuten	...	Vera di Borboni / Lize van Dien
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jakop Ahlbom	...	Chaplin-figuur
Frans Berings	...	Weldoener
Charlotte Besijn	...	Verpleegster 2
Tim den Besten	...	Kwajongen vismarkt
Anneke Blok	...	Moeder Keesie
Freerk Bos	...	Afficheplakker
Wim Bouland	...	Chauffeur Vera di Borboni
Mario Cramer	...	Milan Tettero
Hans Crone	...	Kapper
Jan Decleir	...	Vader Keyzer
Paul de Jong	...	Jongen sneeuwballengevecht
Eric de Koning	...	Bakker
Yannick van de Velde	...	Keesie
Jopie de Vries	...	Winkeljuffrouw 2
Joop Doderer	...	Koster
Ruud Eering	...	Controleur bioscoop
Gonny Gaakeer	...	Aardige mevrouw
Bert Geurkink	...	Agent
Casper Gimbrère	...	Agent kerk
Aus Greidanus	...	Dronken man in cel
Kay Greidanus	...	Trekschuitjongetje
Jasper Groot	...	Danny de Kruyk
Annemarie Grosfeld	...	Verpleegster 1
John Hartnett	...	Ticket Man, Priest (voice)
Leo Hogenboom	...	Dokter 1
Christo Hulst	...	Kwajongen vismarkt
Duck Jetten	...	Mevrouw met wratten
John Kegel	...	Man bij gaarkeuken
Paul Kooij	...	Onderwijzer
Wigbolt Kruyver	...	Rijke heer
Martin Lader	...	Agent sleescène
Lou Landré	...	Loketbeambte H.A.L
Adrian LaTourelle	...	Verkoper scheepswinkel
Sebastiaan Lauf	...	Kruimeltje als baby
Jaap Maarleveld	...	Oude Buurman
Jasper Mooibroek	...	Kwajongen vismarkt
Babette Mulder	...	Winkeljuffrouw 1
Rick Nicolet	...	Moeder Keyzer
Emilie Pos	...	Kind van Moeder Keesie
Mitchell Redmond	...	Trekschuitjongetje
René Retèl	...	Toelatingscommissie Parijs
Lou Lou Rhemrev	...	Aardige mevrouw Kerk
Harry van Rijthoven	...	Dokter 2
Raymond Roodbol	...	Bartje
Arjen Rooseboom	...	Jorg Mackloet
Robbie Scheek	...	Trekschuitjongetje
Quinten Schram	...	Kind van Moeder Keesie
Tessa Schram	...	Kind van Moeder Keesie
Berend Schulte	...	Kind van Moeder Keesie
Wim Serlie	...	Slager
Yoni Serlie	...	Pim Feltkamp
Roberto Sluimer	...	Ruiter Jansen
Tim Smit	...	Kevin van Vuuren
Jaap Spijkers	...	Vader Keesie
Fréderique Spoor	...	Kind van Nieuwe bewoonster
Laus Steenbeke	...	Verkoper pianozaak
Ingeborg Uyt den Boogaard	...	Dienstbode Vera di Borboni
Michiel van Bennekom	...	Beau Etman
Charley van Blokland	...	Kind van Moeder Keesie
Kester van Blokland	...	Kind van Moeder Keesie
Wouter van der Ent	...	Jongen sneeuwballengevecht
Allard van der Scheer	...	Groentenman
Anna van der Sloot	...	Vrouw in steeg
Sake van der Zwaag	...	Echte Krantenverkoper
Mark van Duijn	...	Trekschuitjongetje
Sebastiaan van Gent	...	Jongen sneeuwballengevecht
Randall van Hemert	...	Jongen sneeuwballengevecht
Barend van Leeuwen	...	Kind van Moeder Keesie
Ruben van Montfoort	...	Kind van Nieuwe bewoonster
Ivo van Rutten	...	Kind van Nieuwe bewoonster
Gilles van Welzen	...	Spijker
Pascal van Zwol	...	Gijs Bregman
Klaas Vos	...	Priester
Henny Vrienten	...	Pianist Bioscoop
Maarten Wansink	...	Glaszetter
Stijn Westenend	...	Taxichauffeur
Hedy Wiegner	...	Onaardige mevrouw Kerk
Benten Wijnen	...	Buikie
Wimie Wilhelm	...	Nieuwe bewoonster
Jack Wouterse	...	Bezoeker Vrouw Koster

Also Known As:

Little Crumb (Europe: English title) (Berlin film festival title)

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

Netherlands

Language:

Dutch

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Germany:6 | Netherlands:AL

Filming Locations:

's-Gravenhage, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

Company:

Movida/Trix

Trivia:

The film couldn't be shot in the old city centre of Rotterdam, where the story takes place, because almost all historical buildings were destroyed by a German bombardment in World War II.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Allemaal film: Betere tijden (#1.9)" (2007)

This neglected boy is a little treasure. Every family will love him.

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.