The War Game main backdrop
The War Game main poster

The War Game

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6.2/10 • 9

1963-07-310h 15m

Drama

Two boys quarrel over a toy pistol in an ever escalating game.

Directors
Mai Zetterling
Editors
Paul Davies

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Ian Ellis

    Ian Ellis

    Boy

  2. Joseph Robinson

    Joseph Robinson

    Boy

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Mar 2, 2025

7/10

This is quite an eerily compelling short feature from Mai Zetterling. Two young lads are playing when one drops his toy gun and they begin to tussle over it. The victor heads up into a nearby skyscraper only to be followed by his pal and as they go higher and leave it’s public areas for the less safe areas around the lift mechanism and the roof their game becomes more tense, perilous even, as even a gust of wind could bring disaster. There’s no dialogue, just natural sound and some intensely photographed camerawork atop the building where one wrong move could end in splat. Ian Ellis and Joseph Robinson manage to use their childish playfulness to exude quite a degree of menace as at times you wonder to what lengths they might go to retrieve or retain the prize. Certainly not one if you don’t like heights, but it’s that very vulnerability that gives this quite a kick.

Media

  • The War Game poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
woman directorshort film