Monsieur Batignole (2002)

In 1942, in an occupied Paris, the apolitical grocer Edmond Batignole lives with his wife and daughter in a small apartment in the building of his grocery. When his future son-in-law and ... See full summary »

Director:

Gérard Jugnot

Writers:

Gérard Jugnot (scenario), Philippe Lopes-Curval (scenario),

Stars:

Jules Sitruk, Gérard Jugnot, Michèle Garcia

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jules Sitruk	...	Simon Bernstein
Gérard Jugnot	...	Edmond Batignole
Michèle Garcia	...	Marguerite Batignole (as Michele Garcia)
Jean-Paul Rouve	...	Pierre-Jean Lamour
Alexia Portal	...	Micheline Batignole
Violette Blanckaert	...	Sarah Cohen
Daphné Baiwir	...	Guila Cohen (as Daphne Baiwir)
Götz Burger	...	SS Col. Spreich
Elisabeth Commelin	...	Irène
Hubert Saint-Macary	...	Gendarmerie lieutenant
Daniel Martin	...	Brigadier Albert
Nadine Spinoza	...	Rachel Bernstein
Damien Jouillerot	...	Martin
Philippe du Janerand	...	Administrateur
Marie-Gaëlle Cals	...	Edwige

Storyline

In 1942, in an occupied Paris, the apolitical grocer Edmond Batignole lives with his wife and daughter in a small apartment in the building of his grocery. When his future son-in-law and collaborator of the German Pierre-Jean Lamour calls the Nazis to arrest the Jewish Bernstein family, they move to the confiscated apartment. Some days later, the young Simon Bernstein escapes from the Germans and comes to his former home. When Batignole finds him, he feels sorry for the boy and lodges him, hiding Simon from Pierre-Jean and also from his wife. Later, two cousins of Simon meet him in the cellar of the grocery. When Pierre-Jean finds the children, Batignole decides to travel with the children to Switzerland.

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Plot Keywords:

children | german | switzerland | escape | police | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

BAC Films [fr] (French)

Country:

France

Language:

French German

Release Date:

6 March 2002 (France)

Also Known As:

Edmond Batignole

Filming Locations:

Le Bizot, Doubs, France

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,872,045 (France) (25 January 2002)

Gross:

$6,463,671 (Europe) (22 March 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RF2K Productions, Novo Arturo Films, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Pierre-Jean threatens Edmond with the cleaver, the blade is vertical in shots from the front but is horizontal in shots from behind Edmond.

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Soundtracks

"Nous les français"
Performed by Georges Milton

User Reviews

Agreeable and attractive film dealing with a shop keeper who protects Jewish children against cruel Nazis

Comedy/drama with splendid performance from Gerard Jugnot as a grocer who becomes involved numerous risks and adventures to save three little Jews . 1942 Paris is under Nazi occupation , there a store keeper named Edmond Batignole (Gerard Jugnot) benefits this situation . He lives with his spouse (Michelle Garcia) and daughter (Alexia Portal) in a small flat in the building of his grocery . Thanks to his future son-in-law , a notorious collaborationist (Jean-Paul Rouve) he organizes banquets for Germans . However his life changes when a Jewish little boy appears in his door asking for help . Batignole hides and protects him against his fateful destination by any means , despite risking to lose his privileged position . Later on , there appears his two Jews cousins , then Batignole decides to travel with three kiddies to Switzerland .

This is an interesting comedy/drama/war developed in an occupied France during the 40s and based on writing credits by Philippe Lopes and Gerard Jugnot. It's the feeling story about a humble grocer with sweet moments, humor and amusing situations . Interesting film is sometimes slipping into banal sentimentality , comedy or outright melodrama, three things that in this powerful portrayal are well combined . Over-all this is an engaging look to infancy friendship with periods of heavy-handed sentimentality . Extraordinary performances from duo protagonist, Gerard Jugnot acting similarly to Louis De Funes with excessive gesticulation , he plays an insignificant shop keeper turned into liberator hero and Jewish saving , and a likable kid stunningly interpreted by Jules Sitruk . Enjoyable relationship between the obstinate shop keeper and the Jewish know-all boy . This stirring and highly acclaimed riveting war comedy about a grocer who has intense relationship with a Jew boy is powered by marvelous performances being very well directed by Gerard Jugnot . He is a magnificent director and actor , his greatest hit was , of course , ¨The Chorus¨ . He has directed eleven films, generally , dramas and comedies , such as : 2008 Fashion victim, 2000 Meilleur Espoir Féminin 1994 Casque bleu , 1988 Sans Peur et sans Reproche ,1985 Scout Toujours , 1984 Pinot simple flic . ¨Monsieur Batignole¨ at his best and a highly rated film . Better than average , worthwhile watching .