This Afternoon's DVD Pick
Jean Renoir's La grande illusion(1937) is one of the many classics I've managed to acquire on the cheap (for a tenth of the price listed below) from bargain bins here in Korea over the past couple of years. I finally got around to watching it today.
Von Rauffenstein, a true quixotic gentlemen for whom notions like chivalry and a man's word still hold meaning, forms a natural and ultimately tragic friendship with Capt. de Boeldieu. At one point, the German says to his fellow aristocrat, "I don't know who will win this war, but whatever the outcome, it will mean the end of the Boeldieux and the Rauffensteins."
Not only does the film show mutual understanding across borders among classes, but also across classes within borders. De Boeldieu sacrifices himself for his compatriot Maréchal and a naturalized Jewish banker named Lt. Rosenthal, two characters who represent the new order of proletariat and capitalist. These latter two escape together.
The film ends with a very moving "Christmas Romance" across enemy lines between a German war-widow named Elsa, struggling to maintain a farm and raise a daugher on her own, and Maréchal, whom she shelters along with Rosenthal. Elsa shows Maréchal the photos on her wall: "My husband... killed at Verdun; my brothers... killed at Liège, Charleroi, Tannenburg... our biggest victories."
The film treats all of its characters, of whatever class and nationality, with sympathy and avoids stereotyping them, something quite rare these days when a bad guy is needed. Utimately, it is neither leftist nor rightist, but realist. It shows the folly of the nationalism that spawned the Great War, but also a genuine respect for patriotic notions. There are several Catholic symbols in the film, a reminder that centuries before the EU was dreamt of, Europe had long been truly one civilization, and at heart always will be.
Jean Renoir's La grande illusion(1937) is one of the many classics I've managed to acquire on the cheap (for a tenth of the price listed below) from bargain bins here in Korea over the past couple of years. I finally got around to watching it today.
Von Rauffenstein, a true quixotic gentlemen for whom notions like chivalry and a man's word still hold meaning, forms a natural and ultimately tragic friendship with Capt. de Boeldieu. At one point, the German says to his fellow aristocrat, "I don't know who will win this war, but whatever the outcome, it will mean the end of the Boeldieux and the Rauffensteins."
Not only does the film show mutual understanding across borders among classes, but also across classes within borders. De Boeldieu sacrifices himself for his compatriot Maréchal and a naturalized Jewish banker named Lt. Rosenthal, two characters who represent the new order of proletariat and capitalist. These latter two escape together.
The film ends with a very moving "Christmas Romance" across enemy lines between a German war-widow named Elsa, struggling to maintain a farm and raise a daugher on her own, and Maréchal, whom she shelters along with Rosenthal. Elsa shows Maréchal the photos on her wall: "My husband... killed at Verdun; my brothers... killed at Liège, Charleroi, Tannenburg... our biggest victories."
The film treats all of its characters, of whatever class and nationality, with sympathy and avoids stereotyping them, something quite rare these days when a bad guy is needed. Utimately, it is neither leftist nor rightist, but realist. It shows the folly of the nationalism that spawned the Great War, but also a genuine respect for patriotic notions. There are several Catholic symbols in the film, a reminder that centuries before the EU was dreamt of, Europe had long been truly one civilization, and at heart always will be.
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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