User Reviews

This is a film for your childhood and your children's childhood. It is a love story between a little Jewish girl and a little Roman Catholic boy. I think adults viewing it will have different perceptions of it, since they've had decades of prejudices to deal with before they can come to this film openly and honestly, with a child's vision and perception.

I first saw Hand in Hand when I was a child in the 1960's and I remember being so moved by the children reaching out to one another despite the prejudice that surrounded them, and learning crucial lessons about God's love. The film is clever in that the prejudices are not stated overtly, but are more subtle (i.e. the mother of the little Catholic boy saying to her husband about Rachel, the little girl, "You wouldn't think she was Jewish, would you?"). Other things that strike me about this 1960 film are that 1) Michael the little boy says to an adult that their parents will not be worried about them as long as they are home before dark. Today you can't let your children out of your sight for 15 minutes, much less an entire day! and 2) Michael goes running to his priest for comfort and understanding and not his parents, and throws himself into the priest's arms! In today's world, with today's headlines of abuse, parents would not be comfortable with that action either! How the world has changed since 1960, and not for the better.

I would recommend that this film be made more available to families with young children. If they can see it before age 10 it will leave an indelible impression. I have an excellent digital transfer of this film in my collection, with none of the defects that are seen in that crummy bootleg tape that's floating around the internet. It makes all the difference in the world to see a nice print.

Growing up in Irish Catholic neighborhood in the early 60's was an uncomfortable experience for me being Jewish. Attending a Yeshiva or as the Rough Gentile kids would call "JEW SCHOOL" made me feel detached and different. Then I came upon this movie totally by accident hearing the subject of Jew and Catholic mentioned by Rachel's parents in a scene on the subject that they might move to another Hamlet. I saw these two adorable British Children Rachel and Michael our little centerpieces in this film with an warm affection for each other, laughing and playing putting religious differences aside except for the final burial arrangement's for a pet mouse. The innocence and heart warming feeling you get from watching their friendship grow is something to savor. Michael and Rachel learn about each other as Micheal attends Synagogue on Saturday and Rachel attends a Sunday Catholic Mass. They also have plans to go on a boat trip down the Thames but I'll leave that part up to you the viewer. The truth is that love and friendship should not be quashed due to racial or ethnic differences and when you do meet that special person learn about their culture, embrace all you can about their differences,and equally share your own experiences with that special someone. Most schools in America show the film to kill a Mockingbird to teach students about racism and the unjust profiling surrounding that doctrine. This movie shows religious differences in a very positive light. I think all grammar school children today should see Hand In Hand as required viewing. Watch listen and learn and I'm sure the children who view this epic masterpiece of childhood innocence will come out thinking differently when it comes to religious tolerance.