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  1. #1
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    This is a black and white movie made in the late 40's or early 50's. It is set in occupied post war Europe (Germany/France?). A soldier and his wife who do not have children decide to adopt a war orphan and visit the local orphanage. The woman does not choose one of the eager happy children, but a very shy and traumatised child. He may have been Polich or Czech.

    The soldier husband has to go away on duty but the wife works very hard to win the child's trust and confidence. When the husband returns the boy is very frightened of him. To help him sittle, the woman gets the boy a pet rabbit and one day after the husband has left, she calls the boy to see what a safe warm hiding place the rabbit has found in the pocket of her husbands spare great coat. She realises then that the boy was not frightened of her husband but of the uniform.

    The boy is settling in well when they are contacted to say that the boy's Mother has turned upl She has lost the rest of her family and comes to visit the boy. She does not speak any English and he rejects her completely. However, the adoptive Mother thinks that the right thing is to return the boy to his real Mother and insists that he go with her.

    The last scene is on the train with the boy sitting in the corner looking very sullen. The ticket inspector comes asking for the tickets but the Woman does not understand and offers her passport. The boy then intervenes and helps to explain giving the viewer the impression that he will accept the woman and their future relationship at least has a chance.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Euryale's Avatar
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    name='PatriciaR']This is a black and white movie made in the late 40's or early 50's. It is set in occupied post war Europe (Germany/France?). A soldier and his wife who do not have children decide to adopt a war orphan and visit the local orphanage. The woman does not choose one of the eager happy children, but a very shy and traumatised child. He may have been Polich or Czech.

    The soldier husband has to go away on duty but the wife works very hard to win the child's trust and confidence. When the husband returns the boy is very frightened of him. To help him sittle, the woman gets the boy a pet rabbit and one day after the husband has left, she calls the boy to see what a safe warm hiding place the rabbit has found in the pocket of her husbands spare great coat. She realises then that the boy was not frightened of her husband but of the uniform.

    The boy is settling in well when they are contacted to say that the boy's Mother has turned upl She has lost the rest of her family and comes to visit the boy. She does not speak any English and he rejects her completely. However, the adoptive Mother thinks that the right thing is to return the boy to his real Mother and insists that he go with her.

    The last scene is on the train with the boy sitting in the corner looking very sullen. The ticket inspector comes asking for the tickets but the Woman does not understand and offers her passport. The boy then intervenes and helps to explain giving the viewer the impression that he will accept the woman and their future relationship at least has a chance.




    The plot you describe sounds somewhat like that of The Divided Heart (1954), directed by Charles Crichton. It is about a German couple (Cornell Borchers and Armin Dahlen) who adopt a Yugoslav orphan during World War II. However, his real mother (Yvonne Mitchell) is alive and turns up to reclaim her son. There ensues a court case to determine who should raise him.



    But I cannot recall if a rabbit features in the story, or whether the last scene occurs on a train.





    Euryale.

  3. #3
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    That sounds like the one. Thank you so much. It has been bugging me for ages!

  4. #4
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    name='PatriciaR']That sounds like the one. Thank you so much. It has been bugging me for ages!
    After further reading up on the Divided Heart, I am not sure this is the same movie. I think I do remember seening the Divided Heart, but the movie I am thinking of, although a similar premise, is a lot more gentle in style. Less dramatic. It would be good to have the opportunity to see them again. Your memory can play tricks on you. Does anyone else have any ideas?

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