This classic French film about the wonders of childhood – originally titled Jeux interdits – was called The Secret Game on its first British release. It deals poignantly with the friendship of an 11-year-old peasant boy (Georges Poujouly) and an orphaned five-year-old Parisian girl (Brigitte Fossey) in the early days of World War II.
Paulette is orphaned when a German fighter plane strafes the family car while she is fleeing Paris with her parents. She is befriended by Michel after she wanders onto a farm (carrying her dead dog) and is taken in for a few weeks by his family.
The children become fast friends, and the film follows their attempt to assimilate the deaths they both face – and the religious rituals surrounding those deaths – through the construction of a cemetery for all sorts of animals.
The performances of the children are simply astounding. This film won the Grand Prize at the Venice Film Festival in 1952 and an Academy Award the same year as best foreign film.
It is one of the wonders of French cinema – a masterpiece of the human spirit not to be missed. The imagery and the heart-rending musical score will remain with you forever.
Michel Dollé
Georges Poujouly Paulette
Brigitte Fossey Francis Gouard
Amédée Berthe Dollé
Laurence Badie Une soeur de la Croix-Rouge
Madeleine Barbulée Madame Dollé (Mother)
Suzanne Courtal Joseph Dollé (Father)
Lucien Hubert Georges Dollé
Jacques Marin Raymond Dollé
Marcel (Perre) Mérovée Renée Dollé
Violette Monnier Jeanne Gouard
Denise Péronne L’autre fille Gouard
Fernande Roy Le prêtre
Louis Saintève le voisin
André Wasley
Director
René Clément
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The performances of the children are simply astounding. This film won the Grand Prize at the Venice Film Festival in 1952 and an Academy Award the same year as best foreign film.
Paulette
Georges Dollé
