Promised... sworn! (1987)
A tender, funny coming-of-age story set in Nazi-occupied France, seen through the eyes of a self-conscious 12-year-old boy.
Promised... sworn! - Movie Information
- Original Title: Promis... juré !
- Release Year: 1987
- Directed by: Jacques Monnet
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, War
- Runtime: 1h 38m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 9, 1987 (France)
- Alternative Titles: Söz Veriyorum (TR), Cross My Heart (JP)
- Production Companies: Gaumont International
- Production Countries: France
Promised... sworn! - Plot
The life and love affairs of a 12-year-old boy Pierre who lived in France during the Nazi occupation in 1944. We see his family, his chubby friend, the girl who ignores him - and the German defector who hides in the cellar. He suffers from a slightly more prominent nasal appendage than the average of his congeners. This complex initially serving it, will ultimately be the detonator of his success with women and the entire population of the city.
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Promised... sworn! - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jacques Monnet
Main Cast
- Michel Morin
- Christine Pascal
- Stéphane Legros
- Roland Giraud
- Marie Constant
- Hélène Duc
- Annick Alane
- Andréa Ferréol
- Manfred Andrae
- Kathy Kriegel
Writers
- Gérard Carré
- Jacques Monnet
Producers
- Alain Poiré
Promised... sworn! - FAQs
What is Promised... sworn! about?
Promised... sworn! follows Pierre, a 12-year-old boy growing up in Nazi-occupied France in 1944. Navigating first love, a chubby best friend, a girl who barely notices him, and a German defector hiding in the cellar, Pierre's coming-of-age story blends warmth, humor, and the shadow of wartime.
Is Promised... sworn! based on a true story?
The film isn't based on a single documented true story, but it draws on the lived experience of childhood during the German occupation of France in 1944. Its details — the family dynamics, the hidden defector, the small-town atmosphere — feel rooted in the collective memory of that era.
How does Pierre's nose become his greatest asset?
Pierre is self-conscious about his unusually prominent nose, which initially fuels his insecurities. In a charming twist, this very feature — reminiscent of a Cyrano de Bergerac dynamic — ultimately wins over the women and townspeople around him, turning his biggest complex into an unexpected source of confidence and charm.
What role does the German defector play in the story?
Hans, the German defector hiding in the cellar, adds a quietly subversive layer to the film. His presence forces Pierre and his family to confront the human face of the enemy, blurring the lines between occupier and individual, and giving the story an unexpected emotional depth beneath its comedic surface.
Who are the main actors in Promised... sworn!?
The film features Michel Morin as young Pierre-Marie, Christine Pascal as Madeleine, Roland Giraud as Jean-Charles, Andréa Ferréol as Dora, and Stéphane Legros as Frédo. The ensemble also includes Hélène Duc, Annick Alane, Manfred Andrae, Marie Constant, and Kathy Kriegel.
Who directed Promised... sworn! and who wrote it?
Jacques Monnet directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay alongside Gérard Carré. The production was helmed by Alain Poiré for Gaumont International, with music composed by Vladimir Cosma, a frequent collaborator on beloved French comedies of the era.
What is the tone and genre of Promised... sworn!?
The film blends comedy, drama, and wartime backdrop into a bittersweet coming-of-age story. It's warm and often funny, leaning into the innocence of childhood while acknowledging the very real dangers of Nazi-occupied France — a tonal balance that recalls classic French films of the same tradition.
What are some similar films to Promised... sworn!?
If you enjoy Promised... sworn!, you might also like A Self-Made Hero (1996), Waiting for Anya (2020), or The Secret of Santa Vittoria (1970). All three share that mix of wartime setting, human comedy, and moral complexity that makes this French gem so quietly memorable.
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