tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post2523171984042560885..comments2024-03-15T04:08:16.172-04:00Comments on Only the Cinema: Grand IllusionEd Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-75016732393103719062009-02-14T18:31:00.000-05:002009-02-14T18:31:00.000-05:00A beautifully constructed, lyrically-written exami...A beautifully constructed, lyrically-written examination of one of the greatest of all French films, and one of three irrefutable Renoir masterpieces (the other two are RULES OF THE GAME and UNE PARTIE DE CAMPAGNE)<BR/><BR/>One of several points in your review I much appreciated:<BR/><BR/>"Throughout the film, Renoir keeps his focus on such moral and philosophical questions rather than on the Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-76769536054700723602009-02-13T14:32:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:32:00.000-05:00If you haven't seen it already, I recommend watchi...If you haven't seen it already, I recommend watching Renoir's later "The Elusive Corporal," which is essentially a remake of Grand Illusion, transposed to WWII. Despite some key departures from Grand Illusion, it's interesting how much of the film is the same, and how much more troubling the film becomes because the atrocities of WWII are toned down, and, like Grand Illusion, there isn't a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-81604783283615197702009-02-13T14:29:00.000-05:002009-02-13T14:29:00.000-05:00The most interesting aspect of the film is the cha...The most interesting aspect of the film is the changing social orders in Europe at the time; the relationships between aristocracy, bourgeoisie and proletariat is striking; the decline of the former and the rise of the latter two. de Boeldieu for instance struggles to interact with his own men, a pretty diverse bunch and of course develops a friendship with his German social equal, von Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-89113221452339994132009-02-13T12:53:00.000-05:002009-02-13T12:53:00.000-05:00Renoir's humanism extends equally to the German si...<B>Renoir's humanism extends equally to the German side of the war, who are without fail depicted as completely and complexly as their French counterparts.</B><BR/>Which is what I admirer so much. <BR/><BR/>I really loved your review; you made so many great points. It is a favorite film of mine and I always enjoy reading peoples thoughts on it.Classic Maidenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06452165665779363139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-10210157589281742862009-02-13T11:08:00.000-05:002009-02-13T11:08:00.000-05:00Stalag 17 is, in my opinion, one of Wilder's lesse...Stalag 17 is, in my opinion, one of Wilder's lesser efforts (that said, Holden's performance is great and the film over all is enjoyable), and I think a good amount of it's failings are due to it's uneven nature, something that Renoir completely avoids with Grand Illusion. Stalag 17's comic relief feels awkward and out of place, particularly the two prisoners so indebted to silent era physical Joshuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02455492676909216509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-75437302959331666642009-02-13T10:00:00.000-05:002009-02-13T10:00:00.000-05:00Thanks Joshua. While watching it I couldn't help c...Thanks Joshua. While watching it I couldn't help comparing it to a film that was obviously inspired by it, Billy Wilder's <I>Stalag 17</I>, which while OK, is really the complete opposite of Renoir's accepting humanism, a film that offers few real possibilities for meaningful human relationships. Of course, that might just be the difference between WWI and WWII, and the increased bleakness and Ed Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18014222247676090467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3296479421292377391.post-4216676933098168242009-02-13T09:48:00.000-05:002009-02-13T09:48:00.000-05:00You make a great point about Renoir's humanization...You make a great point about Renoir's humanization of the Germans, he really doesn't allow the audience the luxury of cut and dry conclusions. I find Bouldieu and Rauffenstein's friendship one of the most intriguing aspects of Grand Illusion, it definitely benefits from the humanizing qualities of Renoir you mention. <BR/><BR/>Great read.Joshuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02455492676909216509noreply@blogger.com