Jeux interdits (1952)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

René Clément

Writers:

Jean Aurenche (dialogue)
Jean Aurenche (screenplay)

Release Date:

8 December 1952 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

War...and how it affects the lives of our children

Plot:

A young French girl orphaned in a Nazi air attack is befriended by the son of a poor farmer, and together they try to come to terms with the realities of death.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Cemetery | 1940s | Fleeing | Farmer

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 7 wins

Cast

Georges Poujouly	...	Michel Dolle
Brigitte Fossey	...	Paulette
Amédée	...	Francis Gouard
Laurence Badie	...	Berthe Dolle
Madeleine Barbulée	...	Red Cross Nun (end of film)
Suzanne Courtal	...	Madame Dolle
Lucien Hubert	...	Dolle, the Father
Jacques Marin	...	Georges Dolle
Pierre Merovée	...	Raymond Dolle
Violette Monnier
Denise Péronne	...	Jeanne Gouard (as Denise Perronne)
Fernande Roy
Louis Saintève	...	Priest
André Wasley	...	Gouard, the Father

Also Known As:

Forbidden Games (USA)
The Secret Game

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-8 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:12

Filming Locations:

Aiguines, Var, France

Company:

Silver Films

Trivia:

The bridge seen in the first scenes is an old roman bridge that crossed the Verdon river near Aiguines (Var - France). This place is now unfortunately submerged by the waters of the Sainte-Croix lake.

Goofs:

Continuity: Father Dolle drinks the same glass of wine twice, or does not pour the second glass. The level of wine in the bottle does not appear to change.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Le fils de Gascogne (1995)

Moving view of war and death through childrens' eyes

Jeux interdits is the story of a 5 or 6 year-old girl whose parents and dog are killed before her eyes as the family is trying to flee the fighting (World War II) in a refugee convoy. The girl is taken in by a peasant family and befriended by their young son. The children very movingly try to find a way to cope with death. Although the subject is serious, the film has many light moments provided by a cast of great character actors. Brigitte Fossey, who plays the heroine, is exquisite -- certainly the finest performance by a child-actor I have ever seen. The film hooked me from the opening credits and never let go. The scenes of the refugee convey on the bridge and the bombing are unforgettable, without being gory. The B&W cinematography is gorgeous throughout. Highly, highly recommended.