Forbidden Games (Jeux interdits). René Clément, 1952.
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Edition screened: Criterion DVD #318, released 2005. French language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 86 minutes.
Summary: Apparent real murder of a puppy.
This highly regarded anti-war film depicts the effect of war on children. In one scene the film shows a very young girl carrying a dying puppy in her arms. This is very disturbing when you realize that the filmmakers must have injured the dog, put it in the little actress’s arms, and asked her to ignore it. It appears that the puppy was really hurt and in its death throws, as its twitching could not have been faked. There were many ways to fake the puppy's death. Harming the dog was totally unnecessary. The scene hung like a pall over the entire film and might therefore ruin the film’s message for many viewers. There was a coldness and hypocrisy to the film when you analyze the ‘anti-war’ filmmakers attitude toward dog and actress.
- Thanks to our friend Bob Grandcolas for this submission.