Jacques Doillon most likable film outside of Ponette. I usually prefer his Pialat films to his Truffaut ones, but this one slowly build up a lot of detail until a rather powerul fine half hour. Doillon portrait of ocuppied France couldn't be nastier and his facility with child actors was already first rate even this early in his career.

I can't honestly say that I've ever been enamored of Doillon's work - nor that of his daughter, if it comes to that - but I have to confess to being entertained by this take on World War II with special attention to young Jewish children. There are obvious links with later French films circling the same subject such as Monsieur Batignole and La Maison de Nina, both of which take a humane and heart-warming view of what at the time must have been a harrowing experience for all concerned. You could argue - and no doubt someone has already done so or WILL do so - that such a subject should be treated much more dramatically and concentrate on the very real dangers/horrors with which these people lived - and all too often died - every day but I would counter that we've had our fill of downbeat, pessimistic takes on WWII and it does no harm in the least to reveal another side of the coin. The two leads in particular are excellent but all the cast deliver fine performances that make this a movie well worth watching.

Nazi invasion of France was one of the saddest moments in European history.It was a period of anger,fear and hopelessness.For Jewish people,it brought a lot of humiliation and suffering which has been nicely depicted by famous French director Jacques Doillon in his film "A bag of marbles"/Un Sac De Billes.As there is no direct hint of sentimentality,this film appears to be truly authentic.Although there are some adults in this film,its primary focus is on young children especially two young boys who make good use of various schemes and tricks to escape being caught by Nazis.French writer Joseph Joffo's memoirs "Un Sac de billes" serves as the basis of this film.The notion of "life is dear and precious to all" has been portrayed by him in order to show how these two kids renounce their Jewish faith in order to remain alive.Although it talks about a serious theme,it is the light tone of this film which makes it very interesting."Un sac de Billes" is a film for viewers who would like to see young children behave in a more mature manner.