La guerre des boutons [War of the Buttons] *** (1962, André Treton, Michel Isella, Jacques Dufilho, Yvette Etiévant, Michel Galabru) – Classic Movie Review 6464

Boys from rival French villages wage war on each other, led by André Treton and Michel Isella, cutting off their prisoner’s buttons and belts. Director Yves Robert’s 1962 French film is an engagingly acted comedy drama, with a lively, quirky sense of humour and an underlying seriousness.

Though it is a little too sentimental, it was popular hit in its day, thanks to plenty of atmosphere and robust charm. It is a fun story and the boy actors are convincing and appealing.

Yves Robert and François Boyer’s screenplay is based on Louis Pergaud’s novel La Guerre des Boutons.

Also in the cast are Martin Lartigue, Jean Richard, Yvette Etiévant, Jacques Dufilho, Paul Crauchet, Michèle Méritz, Pierre Tchernia and Michel Galabru.

It is written by Yves Robert and François Boyer, shot in black and white by André Bac and scored by José Berghmans.

It is remade as War of the Buttons by director John Roberts in 1994.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6464

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com