War of the Buttons

War of the Buttons

Year: 1994

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: John Roberts

Family

Most wars last years. This one has to be over by dinner War between two Irish youth gangs consists of removing and retrieving buttons from each other’s clothing.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen War of the Buttons yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – War of the Buttons (1994)

Explore the full timeline and setting of War of the Buttons (1994). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

The story unfolds in 1960s rural Ireland, a time of tight-knit communities and rigid social codes. The boys define themselves through rivalries and games, while adults observe with a mix of amusement and concern. The era’s norms and limited opportunities shape the characters’ choices and the scale of their feuds.

Location

Carrickdowse, Ballydowse, Ireland

In rural Ireland, two villages sit on opposite sides of a river connected by a single central bridge, forming the stage for the 'War of the Buttons.' The white line across the bridge marks a boundary the local youths patrol, turning everyday life into a competition of who can outdo the other. The setting near a castle ruin and the surrounding countryside underscores the social contrasts fueling the feud.

🌊 River boundary 🏘️ Small villages 🏰 Castle ruin

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:05

Main Characters – War of the Buttons (1994)

Meet the key characters of War of the Buttons (1994), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Fergus (Gregg Fitzgerald)

A rising leader of the Ballyd, Fergus is clever, ambitious, and fearless in command. His charisma keeps the Ballys unified, but his determination drags the feud toward increasingly risky schemes. His resentment toward his environment and his stepfather fuels his drive to win at any cost.

🔥 Ambition 🧭 Leadership ⚔️ Conflict

Geronimo (John Coffey)

Leader of the Carricks, Geronimo carries the aura of wealth and authority. He is calculating and quick to escalate the conflict, using his status to influence peers. His strategic mind and pride push the war to a final confrontation before a sobering act of solidarity.

💼 Wealth 🧭 Strategy ⚔️ Conflict

Marie (Adult Narrator) (Dervla Kirwan)

Narrator recounting the events from an adult perspective, Marie reflects on memory and the cost of the feud. She observes both villages with a measured, bittersweet tone and reveals how the past continues to shape present relationships. Her hindsight offers a human lens on the boys' battles.

🧭 Memory 📚 Narrative 👁️ Perspective

Riley

A central adult figure associated with the Ballyd side, Riley is portrayed as a traitor to the cause, whose actions stir mistrust and escalate tensions between the groups. He embodies the imperfect, morally gray adult influence on youth conflict.

⚖️ Morality 🕊️ Tension 👥 Betrayal

Fergus' Stepfather

An abusive and controlling presence who embodies the oppressive environment surrounding Fergus. His behavior contributes to the boys’ sense of grievance and fuels the emotional turmoil that drives Fergus’s leadership decisions.

👨‍👦 Oppression 🔨 Violence 🏚️ Family

Geronimo's Dad

A parental figure whose influence underscores the class and family dynamics at play. His attitudes and responses to the boys' feud reflect the adult world's pull between care and control.

👨 Family 💼 Class 🕊️ Influence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:05

Major Themes – War of the Buttons (1994)

Explore the central themes of War of the Buttons (1994), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Class Divide

The feud pits Ballydows, from poorer backgrounds, against Carricks, from a wealthier family line, highlighting how class boundaries shape identity and loyalty. The battles grow from petty pranks into organized confrontations, revealing how pride and social status fuel conflict. The story exposes the personal and communal costs of entrenched divisions.

🤝 Friendship

Amid the violence, moments of empathy surface. Fergus and Geronimo’s rivalry gradually yields to mutual understanding, culminating in a bond after capture and a shared reconciliation. Adults intervene and the boys begin to see each other differently, suggesting a possibility of coexistence beyond feud. In the coda, Marie reveals she married one of the boys, while the other became the couple’s closest friend.

🌿 Leadership

Both Fergus and Geronimo are portrayed as charismatic leaders who mobilize their peers. Their courage, strategic thinking, and stubborn pride push the war forward, illustrating how leadership can be a double-edged sword. The narrative tracks how youth leadership echoes and challenges adult authority, tested by consequences and the need for reconciliation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:05

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of War of the Buttons

Don't stop at just watching — explore War of the Buttons in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what War of the Buttons is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

War of the Buttons Summary

Read a complete plot summary of War of the Buttons, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

War of the Buttons Summary

War of the Buttons Timeline

Track the full timeline of War of the Buttons with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

War of the Buttons Timeline

War of the Buttons Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of War of the Buttons that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

War of the Buttons Spoiler-Free Summary

More About War of the Buttons

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about War of the Buttons: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About War of the Buttons

Similar Movies to War of the Buttons

Discover movies like War of the Buttons that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.