The Little Rebels

French director Jean Delannoy has made 40 feature films in his long as well as illustrious career.He is best known for his film "La Symphonie Pastorale" based on the book by famous French writer André Gide.However,"The little rebels" is one of his important films which deserves a wider audience.This film is about some juvenile delinquents whose boring lives change for good when they come into contact with a kind yet practical judge.Superstar of French cinema,Jean Gabin plays the judge's role with firm conviction.In an important scene,when he punishes a young criminal,one of his colleagues says that this boy would end up hating you like other boys before him.His nonchalant reply is that I am being paid to do this type of work. 'Chiens Perdus Sans Collier' is based on a best selling novel by Gilbert Chesbon which was published in 1954. One should just watch initial fifteen minutes of this film to understand the extent to which a juvenile can go in order to have fun.The film is able to win viewers' sympathies through its honest portrayal of young people who commit offenses.There is an air of authenticity in the events which take place in an "observation center" for young delinquents.These are two key reasons to watch this film.

I'll give it 5/10 for the solid craftsmanship that went into making it. Delannoy always knew how to move his camera; he could also get good performances from his actors. When he came to make Maigret tend une piege, the actors were outstanding and served to create a film of stunning power.

What of Chiens perdus sans collier? We never see any great imaginative perception of these children's situations. Alain Robert's spectacular actions as he burns the barn down--and almost kills himself--is well shot, but it seems derivative of Clement's Jeux interdits of 1951. The love affair between Francois and Sylvette is redolent of TV melodrama. Gabin's performance as the children's court judge is well observed but he has done this sort of part many times in his career.

I don't care to reopen the debate regarding cinema of quality vs. New Wave--I like too many of the directors on either side of the barricade. I merely want to write about what I felt watching this particular film.

And that's a good reason to watch it.After all,"les 400 coups" was more of the same :it focused on one character (Antoine Doinel) whereas his Bête Noire Jean Delannoy 's film dealt with several "bad" kids' lives .There are great names in the cast and credits :Gilbert Cesbron,a famous writer,Jean Aurenche,Paul Misraki and of course Jean Gabin as the judge with a big heart.

Unlike "les 400 coups" ,"Chiens perdus sans collier" verges on melodrama but Delannoy's sincerity is certainly true and this film does not put a question mark over his competence.

Truffault 's violent review (November the 9th,1955) remained famous but all that he wrote was not the Holy Writ,was it?

Gloomy and without concessions, this film definitely won't make you happier after watching it, but it's so well made you will probably get into the plot, even with the slow pace and naif styling common in 50's French cinema.

Of course Gabin is a "good guy", tired, tough, but ultimately fair. Even if he's constantly showing he's tired of the job, being badly paid, quite impatient, etc. Needlessly, he steals the movie. The young stars don't disappoint. Maybe Francis is a bit too slick for the age, being sort of a natural leader who never misses a cue. Alain's ingenuity is believable, and that's quite a feat for a child actor. Sylvette is also right on track as the "beautiful working class bitter heroine". The prostitute step mum's treatment is also an interesting character, given she's never given moral lessons or shown "what happens to those people", unlike other films of the epoch. Finally, as usual, no "accompanying music" and a "minimalist" in the sense of austere décor aid for this film's oppressive feeling you get while watching it.

IMDb's pro reviewer "Dumnteil" is accurate as usual when comparing it favourably with the way more famous "400 coups". Enjoy!