War of the Buttons (1962)
"La guerre des boutons" (original title)

Director:

Yves Robert

Writers:

Louis Pergaud (novel), François Boyer (adaptation),

Stars:

Jacques Dufilho, Yvette Etiévant, Michel Galabru

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jacques Dufilho	...	L'Aztec's father
Yvette Etiévant	...	Lebrac's mother
Michel Galabru	...	Bacaillé's father
Michèle Méritz	...	L'Aztec's mother
Jean Richard	...	Lebrac's father
Pierre Tchernia	...	Bédouin
Pierre Trabaud	...	School teacher
Claude Confortès	...	Nestor the postman
Paul Crauchet	...	Touegueule
Henri Labussière	...	A countryman
Yves Peneau	...	Le préfet des études / The prefect
Robert Rollis	...	Le père de 'Migue la Lune' / Migue la lune's father
Louisette Rousseau	...	Bacaillé's mother
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Christophe Bourseiller	...	Gaston
Claude Bourseiller

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

schoolgirl | physical abuse | humiliation | class | cruelty to animal | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

18 April 1962 (France)

Also Known As:

War of the Buttons

Filming Locations:

Saint Hilarion, Yvelines, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Productions de la Guéville

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of La guerre des gosses (1937)

User Reviews

Tribute to Yves Robert.

Yves Robert died a few days back and I write this comment as a tribute to him:"la guerre des boutons" is a timeless brats movie,which can be watched forty years after with the same pleasure:a blockbuster when it was released in France in 1961,French kids enjoy it at least as much as their parents or grandparents today.

Of course,Louis Pergaud's Rabelaisian novel,written at the beginning of last century, was watered down (but not cheapened),or else it would not have been accepted by the censorship:there are lines in this book that would make blush the well-meanings.The words are crude and not prudish at all.The story was much more than a funny joke though:actually,the children aped the grown-ups and THEIR wars:("to think,that later,we will be as stupid as'em!"-this is the last line of the movie).

Yves Robert transposed the action to the rural sixties.He gathered lots and lots of children whom he directed masterfully."Magna cum laude",first class honours,for young "Petit Gibus"!anyone who watches the movie will love him:he's so funny when he gets drunk!Shot in black and white,the movie will remind you of your schooldays.

Louis Pergaud died in 1915.The war he was waging was not a war of the buttons.