Au Revoir les Enfants (1987)
Genre: Drama / War
Duration: 104 minuten
Alternative titles: Vaarwel Kinderen / Goodbye Children
Country:
France / West Germany / Italy
Directed by: Louis Malle
Stars: Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejtö and Francine Racette
IMDb score:
8,0 (38.347)
Releasedate: 7 October 1987
Au Revoir les Enfants plot
Occupied France during World War II. At a boarding school in the countryside, two boys (including Jean, who is Jewish) become best friends. Hardly anyone knows about Jean's origins, until... Director Louis Malle made this film based on events that literally happened when he himself, as a boy, was at a boarding school during the war.
Actors and actresses
Julien Quentin
Jean Bonnet
Mrs. Quentin
François Quentin
Father Jean
Father Michel
Joseph
Muller
Boulanger
Sagard
Reviews & comments
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
Strong French film by Malle about a boarding school during the German occupation in the Second World War. What immediately struck me was the loose and loving approach that the fathers used in their upbringing and teaching. Usually people are quite strict and even authoritarian. Fortunately not here where the focus could be put fully on the characters. It is true that there is the necessary discipline and prayer, but the care for the young people was sincerely meant.
Among those young people was one Jean Bonnet. His descent as a Jew is, of course, a secret outside of a few insiders. A special bond develops with Julien. The portrait between the two is finely portrayed. After a while the film ripples a bit and we have to wait for the inevitable.
Quite a poignant scene on the playground when the Gestapo deport the suspects. Strong drama, though not overly sentimental. The powerlessness and dismay is strongly represented here. Authentic and understated drama. Very strong lock that takes the film to a higher level. Also stunning - if not surprising - how they ended up on the evicted n...
Translated from Dutch · View original
knusse stoel
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- 3292 messages
- 4356 votes
A great film that now and then manages to touch the emotional strings of some of us and in a positive way.
There is not much negative to say about this movie. This is another excellent product about the holocaust. What I especially liked about it is that it offers a view that is not typical of other films (ie children's perspective of a boarding school). This unusual perspective elevates it about other Holocaust films, almost to the same level as the beautiful Obchod na Korze (1965) .
The only thing, though that surprised me, was that there were some sympathetic German soldiers in the film, such as the one who told the self-righteous French employee to leave the restaurant and leave the Jewish man alone, as well as the apparently decent soldiers the two lost. boys during some kind of game, back to the boarding house. While surprising, it contributed to the image that both good and bad Germans are presented as good and bad Frenchmen.
This movie could be watched by almost anyone. Despite the director Louis Malle making many non-family-friendly films, this one has little offensive material. For younger viewers, I would recommend that parents watch the film with them, as it may cause a lot of confusion and emotional distress in younger viewers.
A spacious 8!
Translated from Dutch · View original
Film Pegasus (moderator films)
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- 31191 messages
- 5473 votes
The story of a boarding school during the war where a young Jew is taken in without the knowledge of his classmates. The story is quite predictable, but its strength lies in the fact that the whole story is seen from the perspective of the young students. Little awareness of the war beyond the inconvenience that comes with it. Not at all concerned with politics and no idea what such a 'Jew' actually is.
A movie with a theme like this should definitely be told. And from the somewhat personal experiences of director Louis Malle, it has become a credible film. It also shows (once again) how deep the impact of the war was, right down to school.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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