Forbidden Games (1952, dir. Rene Clement) ****/****

The first 15 minutes of this movie are almost unbearable to watch they are so tragic.  It conveys the horrors of World War II through the eyes of a small child, Paulette (Brigitte Fossey) who's family is trying to escape the bombing of their French town.  Eventually, the little girl's parents are killed and she escapes to the country side where she is taken in by a small family.  She befriends the small boy of the family, Michel (Georges Poujouly).  Paulette's dog was killed in the bombings and she wants it to have a proper burial.  With the help of Michel, she finds a place in an abandoned barn where they eventually construct a mass burial ground for a variety of dead animals which they find.  The film is generally sad but what great performances from the two children.  Not once do we fail to believe in the emotional reality of these characters and the actors brilliantly bring them to life.  There is a cross motif throughout the movie and the children find and steal what they can to add to their graves.  It is a great film that leaves a lasting impression thanks to the great performances and the compelling story.