Every actor is excellent in this film, and this includes the taunting bullies when Geordie is a boy; they are also good when when they gawk at Geordie the conquering hero comes home. The message is simple, the film elegant in conveying it. Don't tease the hungry kitten who may grow up to be the hungry lion in the Colosseum. Every man I know who saw this film as a boy in the 1950s remembered it vividly to his dying day. I even knew Germans who saw it, a bit later, who also got the message that their Nazi fathers did not. Geordie is, of course, a boys' film; but in 93 minutes it conveys more about growing up to be men than Little Women does to girls about growing up to be women (if only because boys have more energy to control). I hope Prince William of Wales has seen this film in England; he'll become a better King of Scotland for it. Perhaps it's about Britain, America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand too; united we stand, divided we fall -- and everyone of us must do his bit. Is that really "sentimental"? or is it really what we all strive for? This is not just a good film; it's an essential film. It's the oatmeal of a good diet, the essence of simplicity's complexity, and complexity's simplicity. It's about growing up to become an admirable, worldly hero, instead of lagging behind to become the ignorant, ignoble town bullies. It's about how we we won WWII, stoodu p to the Communist empire, and will drag China onto our side. It encourages boys to make the best decision, however unpopular it may be. Good book, good play, excellent film. Sometimes a great film is composed of small, earthy, simple elements of noble purpose. This is one of those little films that's really big because it follows aspirations and accomplishes nobility.

Wee Geordie is an undersized lad who spends his savings on a physical culture course to increase his height and improve his strength. So successful is he that he is chosen in later years to represent Britain in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and as a consequence wins gold in the hammer throw.Such a simple tale with a message to youngsters that a goal can be achieved through sheer perseverance. Bill Travers plays the lead role as Geordie with a dour expression which breaks into a winning smile when things go right for him. Jean (Nora Gorsen) his companion since childhood urges him to accept the Olympic challenge and provides the romantic interest. Alistair Sim as the laird does well in a comic character role (as always). Francis de Wolff as Samson who prepares the correspondence courses for Geordie is a loud and aggressive character who takes all the credit for Geordie's success. There is a genuinely funny scene at the railway station when he farewells Geordie on his trip to Australia.The dialogue is very simple and unsophisticated. It is spoken slowly and clearly and fortunately the Scottish accent can be understood. The colour photography has a washed out look and shows how much the technology has advanced in the last 40 years or so.A nice little family film that will gladden the heart of any wee laddie or lassie.

Just as with the other commentators, I too saw this film decades ago. It had already been in release for a couple of years, so there was a muzzy sense of age to it, even then.I'm taking a guess here, but I'd be willing to wager that those who remember this film best, are males. We remember the wee Scots lad with his wire-hanger-thin arms and his knobby knees; and then we remember the fine figure of a man that he grew into. Yet, in retrospect, it is Geordie's slightly puzzled reactions to the incidentals that happen as a young man that makes him an endearing character.While filmed in black and white, at the risk of a pun, this is one of the most colorful films ever made. What took it past a Cinderella-esque sort of movie, was Alistar Sim playing the foil. Who will forget the gorgeous old codger when he and Geordie are traipsing in the highlands, shooting for grouse. Feeling a call to nature, Sim discretely tells Geordie to go on ahead, and that he will join him momentarily. "Don't, if you please, shoot into the bushes," he warns Geordie. The young man wanders away, passing time - only to suddenly see a flock of grouse rush for the bush. Taking quick aim, he blasts away with both barrels. Not two seconds later, we see Sim, hobbled with his pants around his knees, thrusting his fist into the air and shouting, "Didn't I tell you to shoot anywhere but into the bushes!" The scene still makes me laugh.Bill Travers went on to achieve considerable star power with "Born Free", and unless I'm mistaken, became an environmental activist. One curiosity: "Geordie" is a term of endearment of the name, George, in the city/district of Newcastle. I haven't been able to reckon out why a Scots lad should bear such an English name. --Any suggestions?

I agree with other comments that this needs to be brought back in VHS. It is a good movie that the whole family can enjoy. It has many memorable scenes. My favorite is when Geordie and some other Olympic atheletes lift a car off a person trapped under it. Any kid that has flipped through a comic and seen a Charles Atlas ad for body building will instantly connect with "Wee Geodie".