War of the Buttons *** (1994, Gregg Fitzgerald, John Coffey, Paul Batt) – Classic Movie Review 6463

Director John Roberts’s 1994 family friendly comedy movie is an Irish-set remake of Yves Robert’s 1962 French film La guerre des boutons [War of the Buttons]. This time it is the boys of neighbouring sleepy villages Ballydowse and Carrickdowse who fight a war to the bitter end, cutting off the buttons, shoe-laces, belts and braces of their captured opponents.

When Carrick henchman Gorilla (Paul Batt) bullies Little Con (Anthony Michael Cunningham), fearless Bally leader Fergus (Gregg Fitzgerald) plans a retaliatory midnight raid over enemy territory, provoking Carrick leader Geronimo (John Coffey) into declaring a state of war.

A traditional slice of storytelling, this sweet, old-fashioned and entertaining film will appeal to older children and sensible adults. The handling is smartly professional and Colin Welland’s writing is attractive, but the main lure is the lads’ very natural and appealing performances, particularly those of Fitzgerald and Coffey as the leading protagonists.

The adults are backgrounded but Liam Cunningham scores nicely as their sympathetic teacher and so does Colm Meaney as Geronimo’s dad.

It avoids the pitfalls of being too sentimental or picturesque, though there is plenty of south-west Ireland atmosphere and scenery.

Welland’s screenplay is based on Louis Pergaud’s novel La Guerre des Boutons.

It is shot by Bruno de Keyzer, produced by David Puttnam and scored by Rachel Portman.

A further French remake La nouvelle guerre des boutons [War of the Buttons] was made in 2011 set in the French countryside.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6463

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