War of the Buttons
Seen it?1962 | 90 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz and middling reviews (41 on Metacritic), it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and families. If you loved Secondhand Lions or Bridge to Terabithia, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 30 min.
- What might put you off
- No age rating on record, so check it first for young kids.
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1962: an older pace and style.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
For generations, two rival French villages, Longueverne and Velrans, have been at war. But this is no ordinary conflict, for the on-going hostilities are between two armies of young schoolboys. When he is beaten by his father for having lost his buttons, the leader of the Longueverne army, Lebrac, has an idea which will give his side the advantage: next time, he and his brave soldiers will go in battle without their clothes...
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
41 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 6K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Yves Robert
- Jacques DufilhoL'Aztec's father
- Yvette EtiévantLebrac's mother
- Michel GalabruBacaillé's father
- Michèle MéritzL'Aztec's mother
- Jean RichardLebrac's father
- Pierre TcherniaBédouin, rural warden
- Pierre TrabaudTeacher at Longeverne
- Claude ConfortèsNestor, postman
- Paul CrauchetTouegueule
- Henri LabussièreCountryman