Friends (1971)

A rich English boy meets an orphaned French girl and as they become friends, create a world that is far away from the adult world we live in.

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

Lewis Gilbert (story), Vernon Harris (screenplay)

Stars:

Sean Bury, Anicée Alvina, Ronald Lewis

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sean Bury	...	Paul Harrison
Anicée Alvina	...	Michelle Latour
Ronald Lewis	...	Mr. Harrison
Toby Robins	...	Mrs. Gardner
Joan Hickson	...	Lady in Bookstore
Pascale Roberts	...	Annie
Sady Rebbot	...	Pierre

Storyline

A rich English boy meets an orphaned French girl and as they become friends, create a world that is far away from the adult world we live in.

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Plot Keywords:

teen sex | giving birth | runaway | runaway teen | childbirth | 

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Taglines:

who needs the world when you own the moon and stars.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on the film critic Roger Ebert's "Most Hated" list.

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Goofs

In the opening sequence, we first see Paul stealing a 1969 Plymouth Valiant with a single-piece front grill. 47 seconds later, he gets out of a 1968 Plymouth Valiant with a split front grill and a different license plate. In response to a You Tube comment, Sean Bury said in 2016 he believed they were rental cars and when the producers went back the next day, the first car had been rented out so they rented the closest model available.

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Quotes

Paul Harrison: [after having sex the night before] Michelle...
Michelle Latour: [Michelle is fishing in the pond near their cottage while Paul is smoking a pipe] Sh-h-h.
Paul Harrison: Michelle, last night...
Michelle Latour: Sh-h-h.
Paul Harrison: What if you find you're going to have a baby?
Michelle Latour: I am going to have a baby.
Paul Harrison: What?
Michelle Latour: Sh-h-h. Of course I am.
Paul Harrison: But you can't be sure? I mean it doesn't always happen... not every time.
Michelle Latour: Well, it 'appened this time.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Velvet Goldmine (1998)

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Soundtracks

Variation on Michelle's Song (A Day in the Country)
Written by Elton John, Bernie Taupin, and Paul Buckmaster
Performed by Elton John

User Reviews

a story of simple innocence

Perhaps the most concerning thing about this film is the way many reviewers only see it as controversial, because it deals with young love. Also the ideals it sets out are how we would like to see the world, but are often prevented from doing so.

Get past all this and you have a simple story of a boy and girl, who become friends and develop into lovers; but mostly outside of society's rules. While they pay lip service to certain conventions, they don't allow the rules to control their daily lives. The need for money requires the boy to get a job, but beyond this they live an idealistic existence in the beautiful surroundings of the Camargue.

If you don't get a warm feeling while watching this film, then you have a cynicism that will spoil any innocent storyline. This may not be the Hollywood blockbuster that makes a lot of money, but it's one of those films whose story is very relevant at any time.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 1971 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Amigos

Filming Locations:

Camargue, Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lewis Gilbert Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1