La guerre des boutons

Wonderful, interesting story of a growing rivalry between young boys in two neighboring Irish small towns. This film is supposed to be based on the book, "La Guerre Des Boutons" by Louis Pergaud. The story, casting, acting and locations were perfect. One strong suit is the beautiful scenery filmed on location in Ireland. I really like this film. It seems few people who reviewed it actually watched it as none of the reviews I read even matched the film's content. I would have liked to have seen the one big battle scene played down as it seemed a bit over the top but other than that this was a pure joy to watch.

I watched "La Guerre des Boutons" around 1970. It was a very enjoyable movie. Well I married a war buff, but not of the kind of war of this movie is about, but the Pacific Theater of World War II. I have been looking for the tape of "La Guerre des Boutons" for years. I wanted my husband to see the black and white movie where a bunch of kids speaking French engages in their own type of warfare. Interestingly and strangely enough both movies were practically unknown in the States. I never found the tape of "La Guerre des Boutons" but when I realized that "The War of the Bottoms" was out, I immediately had to buy it. My husband loved the movie, and so did I.

It is so much fun watching those kids engaging in warfare. They get ideas from their school teacher and come up with all kind of strategies and plans. They have a leader, meet after school, and have to work to get ammunition, war it is quite serious business for those Irish Kids. They are prepared! One bunch of kinds are all "preppie," the typical "suits"! The other group is a bunch of poor kids wearing their jeans. When the poor guys realized that buttons were expensive and they can get their butt spanked for losing their buttons, they show up for their fight already naked, which really scared their adversaries. They meet in their little fort, where they kept their ammunition. They even dance and have a party when they win a little battle, just like the big boys. Jerome is my favorite of the bunch of characters. He is one of the opposition but he is such a little gentlemen and is so cute! I can also identify with Maria, because most of my friends for most of my life have been male. I found it interesting that the one of the producers was David Puttnam (The Killing Fields, Midnight Express, Memphis Belle, The Mission) who produced "Chariots of Fire" with the late Dodi Fayed, Princess Diana's boyfriend. Another fascinating fact is that this is supposed to be the first movie all of the kids had done. They were not "trained actors," but what a performance! This movie I presume is well known around the world but not in the U.S. I watched the movie first outside the U.S. I just wonder why such a classic is not known here? I recommend this movie to anyone. It is just adorable. What is it with the distributors here? My favorite scene: When the little guy gets royally drunk. He is hilarious. The kids stopping the war to care for the little rabbit.

My favorite quotes: "Fergus": "What are we going to cut off first?" The little kid goes: "His willie, cut off his willie."

I didn't expect much from this film when I rented it. Another Improbable Hero Kid movie?

The fine point of it is: No. If you run screamin' at the mention of Home Alone or Goonies, you needn't be afraid of a movie like this.

The kids impart a genuine, unself-conscious mood to everything in the film, contributing in large part to its subtle and pervasive good humor. I marvelled at the creativity of the Ballydowse kids, and was at the same time satisfied that their rivals were never reduced to mindless obstacles to rouse our sympathy.

As we can see the war from the kids' view, we can see its reflection in their parents, and of course, in adults everywhere. But the film keeps its subtlety here too; we're never beaten over the head with the analogy, but given the right views to delight in it - their creativity and intelligence belongs to all ages.

My one reservation is the soundtrack; it's manipulative and lacks the subtlety of the rest of it.

Three favorite scenes: Little Con breaking his eggs and marooned for a bit with the Carrick boys, the teacher translating Riley's passed note, and the carousal and tractor.

WAR OF THE BUTTONS is a warm film that exudes a wonder and zest seldom seen in even so-called family films. The parable-like movie concerns a feud between two factions of boys in an Irish village, the trophies of war being the buttons the boys cut from captured enemies' clothing. As the battles grow, we see how the rivalry goes back even further than the boys, to their parents' childhoods. Nothing heavy-handed or profound, but a perceptive view of childhood with a great lesson gently imparted. See it!

One of the great things about being a kid is that you get away with a lot, growing up is an adventure, gangs, silly jokes etc. Okay, maybe you can't get away with it all.

This picture is an adventure for 2 gangs who hate each other, one poor, one rich. Which is good and evil? Actually, the line is blurred, no one is evil, yet no one is good. It's not all adventure, there are dark moments. The film is a joy to watch, it brings back memories for us adults.

The picture's location is stunning, Ireland is such a great place, the countryside and simplicity is brought to life by stunning direction and beautiful photography.

A very good screenplay as well.

The performances are stunning, you believed that the kids were fighting each other, you believed in their emotions, great stuff!

A must watch! Remember to view in widescreen