Customer Reviews

The Kid

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

UPDATE: Please note that although the text above the review correctly says which edition I reviewed, the review also appears with other editions of The Kid. This review DOES NOT APPLY to other editions, many of which are poor quality prints. Make sure you are looking at The Kid (2 Disc Special Edition).

In an era when silent films were cranked out quickly and were far from an art form, Chaplin decided to take a new approach. Although this film started out as another short film, by the time it was done, Chaplin had spent a year on it, and had taken more shots and retakes than perhaps had been done for any film in history. By completion, it had grown into a six reel feature film.

I hesitate to use the word artistry, because it sounds like one of those words used for films that only critics tend to appreciate. But this film is both artistic and accessible. If you are not used to silent films, or the ones you have seen either lacked continuity or were hard to follow, you will find this as easy to watch as any modern film, and find that it tells a story as well as the best of films.

This edition features the musical score written by Chaplin, which underscores both the comedy and the drama of this movie. A host of features on the second DVD give you a feel for the background and the era.

If you are a Chaplin fan, this movie is a must have. If you are not a Chaplin fan, but are curious what all the fuss is about, this movie will let you know.

Rest assured my one star review is NOT for the film itself, Charlie Chaplin's THE KID, one of my favorite movies. I'm hoping my rating raises a flag to potential buyers of a particular DVD version of the film--i.e., THE KID (ENHANCED EDITION). My negative comments DO NOT APPLY to the MK2 version, as will be obvious if you trouble to read the entire review (which you should if you are thinking about purchasing the film).

Amazon is getting increasingly sloppy in terms of supplying accurate information about its products, and this is a prime example. Apparently the product on sale here is a single disc DVD-R version of THE KID (which multiple customers have complained about, reporting it has no music track).

The Editorial Review, however, is for an entirely different product altogether, the MK2/Warner Bros 12-disc set, THE CHAPLIN COLLECTION, VOLUME 2, which was out-of-print but as of this writing seems to be available again. See below:

The Chaplin Collection, Vol. 2 (City Lights / The Circus / The Kid / A King in New York / A Woman of Paris / Monsieur Verdoux / The Chaplin Revue / Charlie - The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin)

To add to the confusion, most of the 5 star reviews pasted here are obviously referring to the MK2 set, not the single disc version of THE KID. Needless to say, it's extremely misleading to transfer all the laudatory reviews for a brilliant box set to the home page of what is apparently a shoddily produced single DVD-R. (Maybe the reason there's no soundtrack is because it's still under copyright, while to the best of my knowledge the film itself is in the public domain.)

I did my best to update the product information through the website, but this proved to be an exercise in sheer frustration: Amazon's automated list of questions doesn't let you get at this particular problem (which is rampant throughout the site, especially in the MP3 department).

I fully expect this to come full circle: Amazon will transfer this review to the home page of THE CHAPLIN COLLECTION, VOLUME TWO, where it will receive lots of unhelpful votes and inspire outraged comments. Urgghh. But at least this is the sort of machine age irony that Chaplin himself would have found funny.

Chaplin was arguably the greatest filmmaker ever. See all his movies. Buy as many as you can afford, because they all improve with repeated viewings. Just be aware of what you're buying (and as a rule of thumb, avoid DVD-Rs, an unstable, easily damaged format). Let Amazon know it's not right to give out misleading information about their products.

P.S. As predicted, Amazon HAS transferred this review from where it was originally posted [under The Kid (Enhanced) 1921] to The Chaplin Collection, Vol. 2 (City Lights / The Circus / The Kid / A King in New York / A Woman of Paris / Monsieur Verdoux / The Chaplin Revue / Charlie - The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin) (1931). Sigh. To reiterate: the 12-disc MK2/Warner Bros set is wonderful; the "enhanced" DVD-R of The Kid is by most accounts woeful.

P.P.S. Amazon has finally--after I wrote to them--unlinked this edition of THE KID with the MK2 box set. They have also deleted the erroneous Editorial Review. Those are improvements. However, this 2-disc public domain product is apparently still linked to the MK2 2-disc edition (which is probably the sole reason why it still retains a very high rating from Amazon customers).

The Kid (2 Disc Special Edition)

The MK-2 edition has been beautifully restored and includes many wonderful special features, including "Chaplin Today: The Kid," a 26-minute documentary by Alain Bergala with the participation of Abbas Kiarostami (!); "How to Make Movies," a 16-minute Chaplin short from 1918; deleted scenes; a brief introduction by David Robinson, Chaplin's biographer; newsreel footage; footage of Jackie Coogan dancing in 1920; "My Boy," a 55-minute film starring Jackie Coogan and Albert Austin made shortly after "The Kid" (no soundtrack; not restored), etc. I have no idea what the special features are on this set, but note the company's name: Public Domain Flicks. Also note that these discs are DVD-Rs.

I am so pleased to learn this film is finally being released on DVD. I have owned "The Kid" on videotape for about ten years, and it is showing great wear and tear! Young Jackie Googan stole the show from Chaplin, yet the Little Tramp didn't seem to mind. An extraordinarily touching film, suitable for the entire family! A splendid way to introduce children to the wonderful world of silent cinema! I cannot recommend this film highly enough!

This is a wonderful two disc set; the first disc containing the movie itself, restored and with a musical score composed by Chaplin in the early 1970's for the re-release of the film.

The story itself concerns an unwed mother who can't keep her child. She writes a note and leaves the child where he might be found. The child is found by the Little Tramp (Charles Chaplin) who tries to find someone to take the baby. Eventually he keeps the child and claims it as his own. He brings up the child in abject poverty, and the affection and caring between the two makes this a very touching film. Probably the most heart-wrenching scene in all Chaplin films, is in "the Kid." The child at one point is being taken away from the Tramp when it is discovered that he is not the child's real father. The child (Jackie Coogan) is crying pitifully and reaching out to the Tramp as he is being taken away from the only home and parent he has ever known. The film includes comedy, of course, but the pathos and sweetness of the film makes it one of my all time favorites.

On the second disc, there are many supplementary features, the first is a short documentary by David Robinson, Chaplin's biographer which sets the film in its historical perspective and background. This disc also includes deleted scenes, several shorts starring Jackie Coogan and Chaplin, one is footage of Chaplin recording the new musical score in 1972. A longer feature included is "My Boy," starring Jackie Coogan and running 55 minutes. A feature I truly enjoyed is "How to Make Movies" recorded in 1918 and showing Chaplin's studio and a little bit "behind the scenes" of what went into making movies in that era.

One interesting observation on my part, is that I have a hard time believing that this movie was made in 1921! It seems so fresh and timeless. Part of that may be due to the beautiful musical score and restoration of the film, but the story is so touching and well-acted that you forget that it is a silent film.

Altogether, this is an excellent DVD set, essential to every Chaplin fan or vintage movie fan.

I'll admit to having shed a few tears when watching the extremely tender and movie film, but I'm not ashamed for this film is one that should reach any fathers heart. I am new to the Chaplin fan club (as I made obvious within my review of `City Lights') and this film has got to be, not only my favorite Chaplin film, but one of my favorite films of all time. Honestly, it is one of the purest expressions of human love and devotion I've seen in a long time, and what makes the film so moving is that it never reaches the saccharine levels of sentiment that so many films feel the need to broach today. Instead, `The Kid' allows your heartstrings to swell from the realness of each and every scene, capturing the love between this man and boy with a natural and realistic (never forced) air.

`The Kid' tells the story of the Tramp who stumbles upon an abandoned baby, a young boy who is left by his mother who is not able to care for him. The Tramp, who is barely able to care for himself, feels sorry for you infant and decides to take him in. The film progresses forward to when the boy is a few years old and is living with the Tramp as father and son. The Tramp is very protective of the boy and very caring of him.

Then events take place that place their relationship in jeopardy when the authorities attempt to separate the two.

The film works brilliantly in creating an attachment with the audience, making us a part of the Tramp and kid's family, moving us to tears at the thought of their separation. The performances by both Chaplin and his `mini-me' Jackie Coogan are utterly fantastic, both of them completely convincing in their respective roles. Little Coogan is a perfect costar for Chaplin, matching him gag for gag, appearing natural and adorable in the process, and Chaplin is so invested in this character (tragic events involving the death of his own child most likely inspiring this very inspired performance) that he reaches the very pit of the audiences soul with his emotional connection. Edna Purviance also delivers a nice performance as the boy's mother who has a change of heart after she has made a name for herself and wishes to reconnect with her long lost son.

`The Kid' is one of those classic films that must be seen and admired by everyone. I don't see how anyone could find their heart not moved by the film and its emotional connective powers, for there are few films made that have the strength this one has. Chaplin was a masterful storyteller, and `The Kid' is truly one of his finest stories.

The Kid is another one of Charlie Chaplin's great films. What you have to like about the Chaplin films is that they have both humor and morals. In this one, a baby is abandoned by his mother and, when she goes back to find the child when she has second thoughts, it is gone. The Tramp (Chaplin) stumbles upon the child, and, after initially trying to rid himself of the responsibility, decides to keep him after finding a note with a plea to take care of the child. Chaplin's antics are one again numerous in the film, especially as he tries to figure out how to raise a child. The film fast forwards 5 years to the young boy now adjusted to life with the Tramp. However, fates will cross, and the mother who once left a child will reenter the scene.

Chaplin has a way with making something so simple seem hilarious. Take the scene with his son fighting the bully, and then having the older bully's brother show up. Chaplin has a quality of personifying the underdog so much in these kinds of moments, and it makes it that much more entertaining to watch. There are also several scenes where Chaplin must outwit a police officer who is after him.

Although this is a short film, it is a fantastic sample of Chaplin's comedic genius. Even though I enjoyed City Lights and Modern Times more than The Kid , I still consider this film a gem that many modern films don't measure up to.

Chaplin is a rare gem. I don't give five stars lightly, and I don't give them to praise old respected classics. Citizen Kane deserved less. A Buster Keaton silent film was nothing compared to Chaplin. He makes you laugh and cry. What more could you ask for in a movie?

There are some similarities to another Chaplin gem, City Lights. He liked to put comic boxing scenes in his movies. He also liked beautiful and loving women. And the cops are always bad guys giving the tramp a hard time.

The Kid, the title character, is very cute, and very well played by Jackie Coogan. He helps to make it a precious film, and I mean that only in a good sense.

I like happy endings too, and Chaplin is happy to oblige. But one thing I'd really like to see is the sequel to this one, to see how the lives of the three main characters develop.

This film is so far superior to almost every movie coming out today. And I'm not one to praise the old simply because it is old. If an old movie is terrible, I'll say so. But this movie right here is far superior to almost every movie in the theatres right now.

This was Chaplin's first feature-length film, and it's a beautiful work of art. Chaplin is the tramp who finds an abandoned baby in an alley with a note attached pleading for the finder to care for and love the child. Some inventive scenes of Charlie learning the rudiments of baby care follow, and then it jumps ahead five years. Jackie Coogan is now the kid and it was not only his greatest role, but perhaps the best appearance on screen of any child star until Tatum O'Neill in PAPER MOON; he might also be the best character Chaplin ever worked with. Coogan throws rocks through windows while Chaplin, a glazier, appears on the scene to make repairs: it's a living. In one astonishing scene, officials from the county orphanage come to take the kid away, and Charlie puts up a fight to keep him - racing over rooftops to catch up with the truck with Coogan inside until Chaplin leaps into the truck and rescues him: it's a brilliant piece of moviemaking and was copied a thousand times in westerns with a horse replacing the truck. There is a dream sequence near the end that is very strange and somehow seems out of place. But the movie is a great one. It took one whole year to make at a time when Chaplin was cranking out two-reelers by the week for National and Essenay.

i have ever seen.What to say for this film.Great acting,great story and great music.Don't hesitate go get it.This will be one of the gems in your movie collection.
And please guys when you come to movies like this masterpiece don't give them a 3 star rate.Not beacuse it didn't have many extras or something like this.The movie is that counts.

Chaplin's "The Kid" was a pleasure to rediscover on this two-disk set. The print is excellant, and Chaplin's original score beautifully compliments what is a really terrific story. Say what you like about some of the now dated, even artificial, touches in the film. But if you rewrote the script and submitted it to a producer today it would still sell. The second disk extras were also fascinating, including the documentary about an Iranian film maker who discusses "The Kid" from a century and half a world away. Well worth it.