L'Atalante

The viewer is emerged in a simple film that transcends all sense of current time and space. Truffaut once said that he would prefer to make films with "dirty feet" than clean ones, and this film delivers such a world. The first mate on the barge has dirty feet -- and a magnificent collection of amusements and "magic". Watch for the puppet show! Charming to say the least as we delve into a mysterious lost world. It reminded me of the best of Cocteau with its magical feel, though it relied not at all on the mysticism and a magical world. It's at once a realist drama and a romantic fantasy.

I read once about someone saying that this film has been "surpassed" and is now overrated. What a fool. He's missing the whole point.

Show this one to your young children! They'll never forget it and love it forever!