War of the Buttons (2011)

In the countryside of France, two groups of boys from the rural villages of Longeverne and Velran are in constant war against each other. Their war is a tradition that passes from father to... See full summary »

Director:

Yann Samuell

Writers:

Louis Pergaud (novel), Yann Samuell (screenplay)

Stars:

Eric Elmosnino, Mathilde Seigner, Fred Testot

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eric Elmosnino	...	Maître Merlin
Mathilde Seigner	...	La mère de Lebrac
Fred Testot	...	Le père Simon
Alain Chabat	...	Maître Labru
Vincent Bres	...	William Lebrac
Salomé Lemire	...	Lanterne
Théo Bertrand	...	L'Aztec
Tristan Vichard	...	Tigibus
Tom Terrail	...	Grandgibus
Louis Lefèbvre	...	Camus
Victor Le Blond	...	Bacaillé
Arthur Garnier	...	Lacrique
June Maître	...	Octavie
Paloma Lebeaut	...	La petite soeur de Lebrac
Théo Fernandez	...	Papier mâché

Storyline

In the countryside of France, two groups of boys from the rural villages of Longeverne and Velran are in constant war against each other. Their war is a tradition that passes from father to son and without a motive but the rivalry between the peasants. During the Second World War, the Longeverne boys are led by the intelligent William Lebrac, who has been the backer of his family since his father died, while the Velrans are led by the wicked Aztec. The boys are frequently fighting with their wooden swords, throwing rotten fruits or building traps in the woods expecting to remove the buttons from the enemies' clothes. But Lebrac is coming of age and he has a crush on the girl Lanterne while his teacher Merlin offers the chance for him to have a better study in another village.

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Plot Keywords:

village | countryside | rivalry | scholarship | chalk | 

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Taglines:

1940s The thrilling battles waged by a band of kids from two rival villages in the southern French countryside.

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Genres:

Adventure | Family

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Yann Samuell's treatment was pitched at Cannes in May 2010, generating an enormous amount of enthusiasm. Other projects bearing the same title surfaced in October of the same year.

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Goofs

When Lanterne leads the group through the village, a satellite dish is clearly visible on a roof behind the well in the village center.

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Crazy Credits

A series of blackboard-style animations depicting 'la guerre des boutons' appears during the credits.

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Connections

Version of War of the Buttons (2011)

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Soundtracks

Jenny Jenny
Written by Little Richard (as R. Penniman) and Enotris Johnson (as E.Johnson)
Performed by Little Richard

User Reviews

Favorite character: Lebrac.

So cute <3. I was moved at the end of this film. I found very interesting the approach of rival villages groups. This rivalry is a thing that still happens today but unfortunately no longer in the innocent way of this film and it made me feel nostalgic for a time I've never lived. I don't know why but sometimes this movie reminded me of Tom Sawyer cartoons (I really love Tom Sawyer <3). Vincent Bres is such a young talented actor.

Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

14 September 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

War of the Buttons

Filming Locations:

France

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,326,773

Company Credits

Production Co:

One World Films, TF1 Droits Audiovisuels, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1