L'Arbre de Noël
1969 Drama   
Director: Terence Young
Starring: William Holden, Virna Lisi, Bourvil, Madeleine Damien, Mario Feliciani


 
Summary
Ten-year old Pascal spends his summer holidays in Corsica with his wealthy father, Laurent, and his father’s attractive girlfriend, Catherine.  During a boating trip, Pascal and Laurent witness a military aircraft fall from the sky.  A few weeks later, Pascal shows signs of an illness.  His father discovers that his son was subjected to a blast of atomic radiation and that he has only six months to live.  With no hope of saving his son, Laurent enlists the help of his country friend Verdun to ensure that Pascal is given the best six months any 10 year old boy can have.  Even Pascal’s wish to have a pet wolf must come true...

Credits
  • Director: Terence Young
  • Script: Michel Bataille (novel), Terence Young
  • Photo: Henri Alekan
  • Music: Georges Auric
  • Cast: William Holden (Laurent Ségur), Virna Lisi (Catherine), Bourvil (Verdun), Madeleine Damien (Marinette), Mario Feliciani (Le docteur), Friedrich von Ledebur (Vernet), Georges Douking (L’animalier), Michel Thomass (L’ami corse), Jean-Pierre Castaldi (Le motard de la gendarmerie), Yves Barsacq (Le pompiste), France Daunic (La monitrice), Brook Fuller (Pascal Ségur)
  • Country: France
  • Language: French
  • Runtime: 110 min
  • Aka: The Christmas Tree; When Wolves Cry



More French Drama

 

Review
This simple yet intensely poignant film tackles the subject of how to face up to death with remarkable compassion and good humour.  Largely overlooked until recently, the film certainly merits a serious re-evaluation and deserves a higher profile than it currently has.

Although the film’s first half is pretty ordinary fare, the latter part of the film is compelling, as entertaining as it is moving.  The combination of tenderness (captured in the fine performances of William Holden and the angelic Brook Fuller) and light comedy (from Bourvil) creates some undeniably stirring moments.

© James Travers 2000



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