War Of The Buttons (1994, TV, dvd)

Synopsis: Producer David Puttnam and writer Colin Welland, both Oscar winners for Chariots of Fire, teamed up again for this remake of the 1962 French movie in which gangs of boys from rival villages stalk the forests and steal each other's buttons, forcing them to fight stark naked.

Transplanted to Ireland — the picture was shot at Union Hall and Castletownshend in County Cork — the story retains its whimsy as well as its hints at allegory. Sadly, energetic performances from the children and well paced direction from debutant John Roberts didn't prevent a box-office disaster.

Cast: Gregg Fitzgerald, Gerard Kearney
Runtime: 94 min