Tales from the Zoo

A gentle, bittersweet wartime fable about a grumpy old man and a child, mixing quiet comedy with tender sorrow.

Directed by

Philippe de Broca

Genres

Comedy

Starring

Claude Rich, Salomé Stévenin, Rose Thiéry

Overview

In Paris, near the end of World War II, crotchety professor Fernand Bonnard maintains a zoo and continues his research. He's a coward, as is his debonair son, Armand, who has one daughter, Philippine. On her eighth birthday, Armand picks her up from her repressive boarding school and takes her to Fernand's to celebrate. Father and son quarrel, and Armand leaves, only to be arrested and shot for violating curfew. In grief, the curmudgeonly Fernand does not tell Philippine, but invents a life for Armand as a captain of the Resistance. Fernand takes her from school to live with him and his sensible wife. Along the way, Philippine finds out the truth and Fernand discovers courage.

How it feels

Warm, melancholic, whimsical and earnest. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Grief, family, parenthood, coming-of-age

Content

Mild violence and language. No gore or sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Search YouTube for a trailer (opens in a new tab)