Summary
A small group of young people who work in a factory spend their weekends trying to renovate
a light aircraft. They are helped by a former RAF pilot who discovers a new lease
of life in the project. Unfortunately, all have underestimated the administrative
difficulties of creating an aircraft club. Although they manage to get the aeroplane
working it appears that they will not be legally allowed to fly it. Their dreams
appear to be dashed.
Review
This is an enchanting - albeit somewhat romantic - film about how fulfilment and camaraderie
may be found when labouring on a shared project. The film was commissioned
by the CGT, a confederation of trade unions in France. Consequently, the film was
intended for private screenings at CGT meetings and was never shown (at the time) in public
cinemas.
The film illustrates what can be achieved through dedication and cooperation, a central
message that is reinforced through a catchy camp-fire song which serves as the film’s
motif. "You can do anything with your ten fingers. All you have to do is take
them out of your pockets." The trade union ethic of progress through conciliation
is a strong theme of the film, although it does push the film into unnecessary sentimentality
on a few occasions.
The direction, script and acting are generally good. Together, these provide a very
real sense of the frustration that was felt by young people of the 1950s who had to work
long hours, six days a week. The film’s characters convey a sense of release and
satisfaction in their new-found Sunday diversion which is both convincing and moving.
There is also some impressive photography, particularly the scenes of the aeroplanes in
flight.
The film is of particular interest because it is the first commercial film for the legendary
French actor (and former boxer), Jean-Paul Belmondo, and his first in a leading role.
He plays an 18-year old youth who, frustrated by his work as a factory machine worker,
discovers a sudden shot of happiness when a friend allows him to fly with him in an aeroplane.
Belmondo is perfectly cast as the moody but amiable young man who is obviously smitten
by the flying bug. Looking at the young Jean-Paul Belmondo in this film, it is not
difficult to imagine that he would soon become a great luminary of French cinema.
© James Travers 2000
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