Colibel Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

XoWizIama Excellent adaptation.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Kirandeep Yoder The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Plockton Turn Point Looking through the reviews I am wondering if I am the only one so far to have seen the original 1965 series. This film is not a remake of that series, there are quite a few changes to the plot and characters. César, Sébastien and the dog Belle remain at the core of both stories however. The series was set in an Alpine village near the French/Italian border where criminals attempt to use Belle to carry secret documents over a mountain pass to Italy. The film in contrast is set in 1943. The French Resistance is involved in guiding Jews to safety into Switzerland.I was uncertain about the war time setting. I would have preferred not to have had Nazis in the film at all. The villain in the 1965 scenario was a crook named Norbert. The film still remains safe family viewing however as the occupying troops are only as menacing as they need to be in order to drive the plot forward. Young viewers understand just enough to know that these are the 'bad men'.The earlier version of César was a strong principled character who supported Sébastien's belief in Belle right from the start. In the film he is a more complex and flawed person with a weakness for alcohol. Likewise, the updated Sébastien seems more mature than the earlier one. This is better as he can react to events without continually repeating the phrase "but I love Belle" all the time. The earlier Angelina was feisty but not as feisty as Margaux Chatelier who follows the modern trend for strong female role models by mucking in with the dangerous work when necessary. It is good to see Mehdi in a minor role as André. Mehdi played the original Sébastien and is the son of Cécile Aubry who wrote and created the TV series.A couple of reviewers have commented on the 'corny' music played during the film. This is in fact the theme tune to the original series and adds a deliberate sentimental link to the earlier show for those that remember it. Non French viewers need to realise that the French have a nostalgic fondness for Cécile Aubry and the children's literature and television series she was associated with in the 1960s and early 70s. Americans go all daft for Lassie, in France it's Poly, Belle Et Sébastien and Le Jeune Fabre.Take the kids to see this at the cinema if you think they are able to cope with subtitles. The mountain scenery is majestic. Don't make the same mistake as my mother and grandmother though. As a child they dragged me off to the flicks to see The Sound Of Music and then Fiddler On The Bloomin Roof. Luckily I recovered.

gradyharp Nicholas Vanier directed this adaptation of Cécile Aubry's novel (adaptation and screenplay by director Vanier with Juliette Sales and Fabien Suarez) n a film that is in both French and German with English subtitles. The result is a film for the heart – a reminder that during the atrocities of WW II there were moments of meaningful relationships, especially between animals and people (remember 'War Horse'?). The film is set during WWII in the snowy Alps of occupied France, on the border of Switzerland. Six year old Sébastien (Félix Bossuet), raised and adopted by his grandfather, is lonely and dreaming of the day his mother will return from America for him. He befriends an enormous yet gentle sheepdog Belle who quickly becomes his best friend and protector. With Nazis in the village rooting out the resistance fighters helping Jewish refugees cross the border, Belle and Sébastien's loyalty to each other and the village that has embraced them both will be put to the test.The scenery is magnificent and the acting by the young and gifted Félix Bossuet is extraordinary. It is a moment of devotion and love and caring and protection during WW II that creates a strong sense of caring about the true meaning of friendship.

emilie-sandron Belle and Sebastian, initially an excellent novel written by Cécile Aubry, has been adapted in movie by Nicolas Vanier. This beautiful and charming story makes a perfect family movie. Children as well as adults can enjoy it! First, the story takes place during the WWII in the French Alps. Sebastian is a 6 year young boy, raised by his adopted grandfather. This little adventurer spends much time in the nature, playing with all it offers. One day, some sheep are found attacked. Everybody thinks that's a cruel and dangerous animal but during a walk, Sebastian meets this mysterious beast. It appears that it is a dog, a so cute dog that the boy recalled 'Belle'. At this moment, an unequaled friendship has just begun. Unfortunately, the determinate grandfather and his band have to kill the dog. Sebastian is so hungry with it and takes care of his best friend in secret. The boy will prove that the dog is not a bad animal the day it saves a life. That lovely relation between a dog and a child is really pleasant for those who want to see a piece of sweet in this violent world period. In fact, we can also feel the strong atmosphere of occupation in that movie. A good point is definitely the beautiful mountainous landscapes. If you are fond of nature, you should be filled with Belle and Sebastian. We also have to notice the performance of Félix Bossuet, the young Sebastian who's particularly effective in his role. In a word, I really recommend you this movie, a French one, something different than the full effects American movies. We sometimes need to see and enjoy simple things as a true friendship.

MartinHafer Belle and Sebastian was originally a novel by the French actress and writer, Cécile Aubry. The story was very popular and was made into a French live-action series in 1965. Oddly, it later was a Japanese anime in the 1980s and now is a French film. Although the story is quite popular in France, I'd never heard of it and I cannot compare this film in any way to the other projects. The anime, series or book could be a lot better or worse…I just don't know.This film is set during WWII in the French Alps. Sebastian is a 6 year- old boy who lives with his adopted grandfather and his niece. The boy is amazingly independent and resourceful—and as the film progresses you marvel at the kid's courage and tenacity. Initially you see it when the men of the village go off in search of an animal that is killing sheep. They assume it's a dog that has gone feral and they are determined to kill it. One day, Sebastian is walking in the hills and encounters the dog—and this Great Pyrenees doesn't seem particularly aggressive and the boy stands there and calmly talks to it. When the boy sees the dog again later, he even gets the dog to allow him to pet him and soon the pair are friends. But, the men have vowed to kill this animal and when Grandpa sees the animal, Sebastian goes so far as to stand in front of the dog to shield it from the gun. This is a good thing because later, it turns out that it's NOT this dog that is harming the sheep. Additionally, towards the end of the film, the dog turns out to be a serious blessing. But, what that is and how he helps saves some lives is something best seen by you.Although this film has some Nazis in it, the film is appropriate for all ages. The violence is not too extreme and the film is similar in style to the old movie "Lassie Come Home"—charming and family-oriented entertainment. The star of Belle and Sebastian clearly is the location and the cinematography. It's rare to ever see a film so beautiful and the film truly is breathtaking. Additionally, you really have to admire the cast and crew for working some pretty extreme conditions to bring us the movie. Well worth seeing—particularly if you are looking for something you won't be ashamed to show your kids or mother!