Forbidden Games
Seen it?1952 | 87 min | Drama, War
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. If you loved The Zone of Interest or Hope and Glory, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 27 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1952: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Orphaned after a Nazi air raid, Paulette, a young Parisian girl, runs into Michel, an older peasant boy, and the two quickly become close. Together, they try to make sense of the chaotic and crumbling world around them, attempting to cope with death as they create a burial ground for Paulette's deceased pet dog. Eventually, however, Paulette's stay with Michel's family is threatened by the harsh realities of wartime.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 BAFTA: Best Film. Won 1 Venice award: Golden Lion. Also nominated for 1 Oscar. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$10K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 19K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by René Clément
- Brigitte FosseyPaulette
- Georges PoujoulyMichel Dolle
- Philippe de ChériseyFrancis Gouard
- Laurence BadieBerthe Dolle
- Suzanne CourtalMadame Dolle
- Lucien HubertMonsieur Dolle
- Madeleine BarbuléeRed Cross Nun
- Jacques MarinGeorges Dolle
- Pierre MerovéeRaymond Dolle
- Denise PéronneJeanne Gouard