Even though Grand Illusion is missing Jean Renoir's signature sequence shots, I think this is his best film. Praised by Orson Welles as 'the only film worth saving if there is to save one film', Grand Illusion is a tour de force of the proper and civilized treatment of enemy soldiers during the worst of times - a war.
Widely regarded as the last Great War, the film portrays the humane treatment of enemy soldiers during World War I, while just existing can be an act of futility.
Although the characters are engaged in a pointless race to win battles, the film exudes honor, respect and gentlemen like behavior between the enemies.
There is a perfect sequence in the middle of the film where a French city is captured by the Germans, then re-captured by the French, and finally captured by the Germans again. The sequence ends with the sentence that there must not be much left of that city. This sequence, in less than 15 minutes, shows us who really suffers in this artificial quest for dominance called war.
Erich Von Stroheim is superb in his portrayal of the German officer. In an admirable way, he treats his enemy with respect, dignity, and trust. One of the best sequences in the film is the chase and ultimate shooting of the French officer - a duty that neither one of them can escape.
The French officer attempts to escape because that is what prisoners do. The German officer's duty is to then shoot the escapee. The sequence culminates in the most unexpected and beautiful way imaginable.
The cutting of the only flower in the prison symbolizes the evaporation of civilized understanding; Like a friendship, between colleagues, who become immobilized by their separate governments.
Left with the flowerless pot, the absence of beauty becomes a metaphor for the world of war. As exemplified by the main characters, the film is noble in its treatment of the horrific.
4 / 5
Director: Jean Renoir
Staring: Jean Gabin, Erich von Stroheim, Pierre Fresnay, Marcel Dalio
Widely regarded as the last Great War, the film portrays the humane treatment of enemy soldiers during World War I, while just existing can be an act of futility.
Although the characters are engaged in a pointless race to win battles, the film exudes honor, respect and gentlemen like behavior between the enemies.
There is a perfect sequence in the middle of the film where a French city is captured by the Germans, then re-captured by the French, and finally captured by the Germans again. The sequence ends with the sentence that there must not be much left of that city. This sequence, in less than 15 minutes, shows us who really suffers in this artificial quest for dominance called war.
Erich Von Stroheim is superb in his portrayal of the German officer. In an admirable way, he treats his enemy with respect, dignity, and trust. One of the best sequences in the film is the chase and ultimate shooting of the French officer - a duty that neither one of them can escape.
The French officer attempts to escape because that is what prisoners do. The German officer's duty is to then shoot the escapee. The sequence culminates in the most unexpected and beautiful way imaginable.
The cutting of the only flower in the prison symbolizes the evaporation of civilized understanding; Like a friendship, between colleagues, who become immobilized by their separate governments.
Left with the flowerless pot, the absence of beauty becomes a metaphor for the world of war. As exemplified by the main characters, the film is noble in its treatment of the horrific.
4 / 5
Director: Jean Renoir
Staring: Jean Gabin, Erich von Stroheim, Pierre Fresnay, Marcel Dalio
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