Directed by:
Yves RobertCinematography:
André BacCast:
Jacques Dufilho, Yvette Etiévant, Michel Galabru, Michèle Méritz, Jean Richard, Pierre Tchernia, Pierre Trabaud, Claude Confortès, Paul Crauchet (more)Plots(1)
This story of young boys from the French countryside is more moving than entertaining... The Longevernes and Velrans are two groups of boys from neighboring villages. They hate each other with a verve and fight with the determination of their brave children's hearts. Their unconventional war trophies (buttons, belts and shoelaces) cause their enemies beatings and equally bitter parents at home. The boys undergo a severe test that teaches them what the most important thing in life is. The author of this classic of world literature is Louis Pergaud, who wrote the novels as a protest against war. It was directed by Yves Robert, who returned to children's issues in other successful films like My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle. War of the Buttons was the most popular French film at the end of the 1950s and early '60s. (Zlín Film Festival)
(more)Reviews (3)
Pergaud's classic is a beloved book from my childhood... The theme of boy "wars" with everything that they encompass will probably never be done better by anyone. The film disappointed me a little at the time because I found it a lot more serious and less mischievous, but with hindsight I sportingly admit that it has its (considerable) charm and poetics, which I appreciate mainly because the fairy tale of youth will never return... sniff... And he finally explained to me why I can never be the leader of the “pack". If I'd known... And I don't give a damn about the dick anyway, because honor is important!
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Once upon a time, The War of the Buttons enjoyed extraordinary interest from television viewers, and the phrase "If I had known, I wouldn't have come here" quickly became popular. My parents' generation considered The War of the Buttons a pleasant comedy from a children's environment and whenever the film appeared on TV, they rushed to the television. Time has indeed left its mark on the film and I would rather recommend a more recent adaptation from the 90s to those interested in the rivalry between two village groups. However, this film still retains its charm. Above all, it can serve as evidence of how much society and the position of children have changed within it. The adults in The War of the Buttons pour hard liquor for children and offer them cigarettes, and they have no problem with child labor or having them operate agricultural machinery. Killing a predator is a commendable act worthy of a reward and physical punishment is a natural part of upbringing. There is a greater range of duties, but also responsibilities. In short, it was a different time with different morals. Overall impression: 75%.
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War of the Buttons is one of the most intriguing children's stories for me in the sense that it's a peculiar allegory of war, which is critical, entertaining, yet also somewhat terrifying because some lines sound innocently from a child's mouth, but when placed in an adult context, they suddenly take on a different meaning. I liked this old French concept very much.
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