BELLE ET SEBASTIEN

France, 2013, 104 minutes, Colour.
Felix Bossuet, Tcheky Karyo, Margaux Chatelier.
Directed by Nicolas Vanier.

What a pleasant surprise.

In a film which adults and children could enjoy, the audience is taken into the French Alps, on the border with Switzerland. And, not only are we taken there, we feel we are really in the midst of some rather breathtaking scenery, mountains, villages, the different seasons, the variety of animals found in the Alps. The director, Nicolas Vanier, has made something of a career of directing and photographing nature documentaries.

Even at the opening, with Cesar (Tcheky Karyo) and his grandson, Sebastien (Felix Bossuet) walking along the craggy edges of sheer cliffs, hearing shots where animals are killed and finding a small kid on the lower ledge needing rescue, Cesar lowering Sebastien down to retrieve the animal, quite a dizzying and difficult feat, we are immersed in the way of life of the people of the Alps.

Sebastien is only six, a good boy, pleasant but not cute in the American movie style. Cesar is something of an old grouch, a drinker, but devoted to his grandson. When it appears that the sheep are being taken by a huge dog, maltreated by its previous owners and now running loose and wild, the men of the village set out to shoot it. However, Sebastien has encountered the wild dog, pacified its, talk to it and has become a friend. The mountaineers have called it The Beast. After a short time with Sebastien, The Beast becomes Belle and human and dog – quite a huge white dog in fact – become firm friends, Sebastien even standing in front of Cesar’s rifle to protect Belle.

As a story about humans and dog, it will be a delight to those who have a passion for canine friends – and might also almost be a means of converting those would never see themselves as dog-lovers!

But that is not all. We are informed that it is 1943, and that means occupied France. It is gradually revealed that there is a squad of German soldiers in the village, making demands for supplies, especially bread, from the locals and, in secret, slaughtering some of the sheep for food. The other predators are wolves roaming the mountains. Cesar’s niece, Angelina (Margaux Cartelier) is the baker and the leader of the German squad is rather sweet on her.

As we might have been led to believe because of the occupation and the proximity of the Swiss border, the theme of leading Jewish refugees over the mountains becomes an important subplot, involving Angelina, the local doctor who serves as a guide, and even Sebastien and Belle. As one group is snowed in on Christmas Day, Belle saves the day by leading the group on a secure path.

The film is often strikingly beautiful to look at, landscapes to wonder at and admire. The characters are friendly but rugged, mountain people. And Belle, despite her fearsome first appearance, is a beautiful big dog and she and Sebastien are great friends.

1. A story for children, for family? Written in the 1960s? Previous television series, even in Japan? The 21st century perspective, France, on World War II?

2. Location photography, France, the Alps, the border with Switzerland, the cliffs and crags, rock paths, paths over the mountains, the sheep, deer and goats? The range of seasons? Winter and its harshness? The escape route for Jewish refugees?

3. The colour photography, locations, majestic beauty? Musical score?

4. The range of creatures, the eagle, goats, the young kid, the deer, the wolves, dogs, rabbits? Belle as a Pyrenean Mountain Dog? The mountains alive with creatures?

5. The 1943 setting, not in the original story, only gradually revealed in the film, audience awareness of life in occupied France, the presence of the German squad, the leader, and the men, in action, killing the animals for food, wanting 30 kg of bread? The leader and his attraction to Angelina? Christmas celebration, the idea about the refugees, the pursuit? The children and their anti-German attitudes and behaviour? The role of the Mayor in working with the authorities? Jewish refugees passing through the mountains? The realism of that aspect of the story?

6. The introduction to Sebastien, with Cesar, the cliffs, hearing the shots, rescuing the kid, the rope, lowering Sebastien, getting the kid, caring for it?

7. Cesar, elderly, Angelina as his niece, crusty, drinking, kind, the rescue of the kid, his relationship with the other hunters, the posse in search of the Beast? Blaming the Beast for the death of the sheep? Cesar with Sebastien, later telling the story of his gypsy mother, his birth, her death, her burial? His caring for him like a son? His anger with the Beast, seeing Sebastien with Belle and his anger, Sebastien standing in front of Belle to save her from the guns? Christmas, Sebastien not talking to him, the gift of the watch with the compass, as from his mother, learning the truth, the reconciliation with the old man?

8. Sebastien, the initial encounter with the wild dog, the Beast, talking to it, the story of its harsh treatment, reactions, dirty, snarling? Sebastien and his tender attitude, washing the Beast in order to become Belle? The hunters, the attempts at shooting? The injury to Belle, getting the doctor to help her – and her later pulling his sled to save him? Seeing the wolves, Belle and her saving the sheep from the wolves? Everybody learning the truth?

9. Angelina, Cesar’s niece, making the bread, the German leader and his assertiveness, making the bread? The leader giving her a lift, the supply the information for the refugees, her love for Sebastien, discussions with Cesar, the doctor and his injury, substituting for the tracker for the refugees? The dangers, the snow and ice bridge? The tensions in crossing? Belle and her saving the group? The decision to go in to England to fight for the war?

10. The doctor, his relationship with Angelina, help, taking the fugitives? Tending to Belle? Angelina taking over after his injury? The importance of trusting Belle? Trusting Sebastien?

11. The picture of the fugitives, representing the various groups, the Jewish family, parents, children, the dangers, of the money and the doctor not taking it? Sheltering in the caves?

12. The soldiers, their pursuit, their shouting, the leader and his calling out for Angelina, causing the avalanche, the destruction? The family being saved?

13. Sebastien, his experience, trusting Belle, taking her back home?

14. The final credits, the cheeky kids? A smile on the audience faces?