On Borrowed Time
On Borrowed Time

Movie spotlight

On Borrowed Time

1939
Movie
99 min
English

Young Pud is orphaned and left in the care of his aged grandparents. The boy and his grandfather are inseparable. Gramps is concerned for Pud's future and wary of a scheming relative who seeks custody of the child. One day Mr. Brink, an agent of Death, arrives to take Gramps "to the land where the woodbine twineth." Through a bit of trickery, Gramps confines Mr. Brink, and thus Death, to the branches of a large apple tree, giving Gramps extra time to resolve issues about Pud's future.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Sam WoodGenres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

Plot Summary

A kindly old man, Gramps, has the rare ability to control Death, whom he has trapped in a treehouse on his property. When his beloved grandson falls gravely ill, Gramps is forced to make a deal with Death to save the boy's life, with unexpected and humorous consequences for the entire town. The situation escalates as Gramps tries to manage both life and death, leading to a series of comical and touching events.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'On Borrowed Time' was generally well-received by critics for its whimsical premise, touching performances, and blend of humor and pathos. Audiences were charmed by its unique take on mortality and its heartwarming story of love between a grandfather and grandson.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its original and imaginative concept.

  • Lauded for the heartfelt performances of its veteran cast.

  • Appreciated for its gentle humor and poignant exploration of life and death.

Google audience: Information not available.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the 1937 novel of the same name by Lawrence Edward Watkin, which was also adapted into a successful Broadway play.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

Community Critic Reviews

No critic reviews have been posted yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
barrymost

barrymost

An old man fights to keep his orphaned grandson from being taken away by a scheming relative, and things get even more difficult when Death comes calling...in the form of the wry and gentlemanly Sir Cedric Hardwicke! The film is well-done ...

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this title yet.