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Poster for Belle and Sebastian

Belle and Sebastian

Seen it?

2013 | 104 min | Adventure

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for adventure fans. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Exciting.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 44 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Belle and Sebastian is set high in the snowy Alps during the Second World War. The resourceful Sebastian is a lonely boy who tames and befriends a giant, wild mountain dog, Belle – even though the villagers believe her to be ‘the beast’ that has been killing their sheep.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    91% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.9 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $36 million worldwide on a $11 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 28K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Nicolas Vanier

  • Félix BossuetSébastien
  • Tchéky KaryoCésar
  • Dimitri StorogeGuillaume Cimaz
  • Mehdi El GlaouiAndré
  • Andreas PietschmannLieutenant Peter
  • Urbain CancelierMayor
  • Margaux ChatelierAngélina
  • Paloma PalmaEsther
  • Karine AdroverEsther's Mother
  • Loïc VarrautEsther's Father