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Forbidden Games

Forbidden Games

Drama · War · 1952

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.

Movie details

Forbidden Games

“War ... and how it affects the lives of our children”

1952 Drama · War 1h 27m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.8 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Forbidden Games?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

René Clément

Written by

François Boyer · René Clément

Brigitte Fossey

Brigitte Fossey

Paulette

Georges Poujouly

Georges Poujouly

Michel Dolle

P

Philippe de Chérisey

Francis Gouard

Laurence Badie

Laurence Badie

Berthe Dolle

S

Suzanne Courtal

Madame Dolle

Lucien Hubert

Lucien Hubert

Monsieur Dolle

Madeleine Barbulée

Madeleine Barbulée

Red Cross Nun

Court is in session

Put Forbidden Games on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.