Forbidden Games

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Forbidden Games

1952,

1h 27m,

Drama

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Watchlist

100%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

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.

Walter Goodman

New York Times

Jan 9, 2018

The messages come easily; the movie is never hectoring or doleful. The director's touch is light, his eye for the ways of farm folk and of children is sharp, and his heart is soft.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Aug 28, 2015

With its mixture of tones, its multiple plot focuses and its singular use of the virtuosity of Spanish guitarist Narciso Yepes on the soundtrack, it is very much its own film.

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David Ehrlich

Time Out

Apr 23, 2015

4/5

The movie is clearly not interested in sugarcoating or sentimentalizing WWII, even though Clment has every opportunity to do so.

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John McDonald

johnmcdonald.net.au

May 11, 2025

It’s not horror she feels, but a kind of fascination, as if there’s a great puzzle to be solved if only the correct rituals are observed. It’s not a descent into the abyss, but a game of hopscotch into darkness.

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Vernon Young

The Hudson Review

Jan 18, 2024

Summary is inadequate to convey anything but the general conception, surely the most extraordinary blend of tragedy and ferocious comedy ever achieved in the history of film-making.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 8, 2023

3.5/4

Perhaps not until Ponette in 1996 had another movie looked so closely at how death might be absorbed through the eyes of a small child.

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Ron W

Apr 22, 2019

A powerful story and generally every aspect of this film is exquisite. Truly a masterpiece.

Hagrid R

Feb 27, 2018

A heartwrenching tale that captures youth more authentically than any motion picture ever made.

Anakin M

Oct 17, 2017

A farmer's son selflessly helps a young orphan girl cope with death by building a cemetery for her dog and all the other dead critters they can muster, complete with catechisms and crosses stolen from the local churchyard, in this bittersweet WWII film.

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René Clément

Director

Brigitte Fossey

Paulette

Georges Poujouly

Michel Dolle

Lucien Hubert

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Suzanne Contal

Madame Dolle

Jacques Marin

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Synopsis

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.

Director: René Clément
Producer: Robert Dorfmann
Screenwriter: Jean Aurenche, Pierre Bost, Francois Boyer, René Clément
Distributor: Times Film Corporation
Production Co: Silver Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): May 9, 1952, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): May 9, 2025
Release Date (DVD): Dec 6, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.4K
Runtime: 1h 27m
Sound Mix: Mono

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