Grande illusion (La)

English title: Grand Illusion

Genre: war movie (in black and white)

With: Jean Gabin (Lt. Maréchal), Pierre Fresnay (Capt. de Boeldieu), Erich von Stroheim (Capt. von Rauffenstein), Marcel Dalio (Lt. Rosenthal), Julien Carette (Cartier), Georges Péclet (the Locksmith), Werner Florian (Sgt. Arthur), Jean Dasté (the Teacher), Sylvain Itkine (Lt. Demolder), Gaston Modot (the Engineer), Dita Parlo (Elsa), Jacques Becker (the English officer)  

Director: Jean Renoir

Screenplay: Charles Spaak and Jean Renoir

Release: 1937

Studio: Réalisation d’art cinématographique

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.9/10 

 

An Old World Blown Away, Never To Return 

 

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Story-line: France in the early stages of WW I. Maréchal, a working-class officer in the French Army, and Capt. de Boeldieu, an aristocrat, are shot down during a reconnaissance mission. Captured by the Germans, they are taken to Capt. von Rauffenstein, himself an aristocrat, who intends to treat them according to the conventions of war. Thus begins, for our two Frenchmen, a frustrating but eventful new life as POWs in Germany.  

Pluses: a credible cast led by Jean Gabin and Pierre Fresnay – as two very contrasting characters – with fine support from Marcel Dalio, Erich von Stroheim and a brilliant Julien Carette, a tight, thoughtful and detailed screenplay that uses carefully tailored dialogues and soupçons of witty humour to develop its subject, focused direction that maintains a steady pace, irreproachable camera work, modest but well-suited production values, an appropriate musical score and a surprising ending.

Minuses: none I can think of… Jean Renoir’s work is a masterpiece.

Comments: at a time when war was supposed to be a gentlemanly pursuit, World War I – and its unimaginable carnage – shattered old models and brought forth a much darker side of humanity. Such is the focus of LA GRANDE ILLUSION, a classic tale of resilience, uneasy alliances and defiance toward the enemy that doubled as a prescient warning of a second world conflict ahead. No need to comment on the illusion itself… its irony will hit you like a ton of bricks.   

 

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 Fog of War (The)

Also known as: The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara

Genre: political documentary

With: Robert McNamara, Errol Morris (the Interviewer); archival footage of Fidel Castro, Barry Goldwater, Lyndon Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Nikita Khrushchev, Richard Nixon and others

Director: Errol Morris

Release: 2003

Studio: Sony Pictures Classics, RadicalMedia, SenArt Films, The Globe Department Store

Rating: PG-13

MBiS score: 8.4/10

 

 

‟Never answer the question asked. Answer the question you wish that had been asked.”

 

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Story-line: in this chilling documentary, Robert S. McNamara, who acted as Secretary of Defense under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, talks about his personal and professional life and the lessons he has learned about war and global diplomacy while working with hawks, doves and other species of political birds.  

Pluses: McNamara’s direct and interesting take on our world past and present, strong and studious direction by Errol Morris, a thorough and well-constructed screenplay that uses impactful historical footage, telephone recordings and filler scenes to complement its talking-head format, very astute editing, modest but convenient production values and a superb musical accompaniment by Philip Glass.

Minuses: some viewers may be disturbed by the seriousness of the issues discussed and a couple of odd revelations (skull-breaking experiments?).

Comments: although it follows the usual recipe for documentaries, the Oscar-winning FOG OF WAR never feels static because of its relevance and Robert McNamara’s status as a consummate political insider. Aided by hindsight, he comes out of the exercise as a skilled and forthcoming fellow even when the questions raised are delicate and mistakes need to be acknowledged. At a time when some observers argue that we have entered a new Cold War, his take on the dynamics of diplomacy gives us a clear picture of what our world has become… intimidating, volatile and even scary.

 

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