Grand Illusion

Starring: Jean Gabin, Dita Parlo, Pierre Fresnay, Erich von Stroheim
Directed by: Jean Renoir
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Drama, War
1938

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: French soldiers captured during World War I attempt to escape from their German prison.

Review:

Tim: Grand Illusion is a French anti-war film set during World War I. It is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, and a classic of world cinema. It was actually the first foreign film to ever be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards . It is a poignant, interesting movie that struck me as very pure. So many movies today have lost that purity because art has been sacrificed for the almighty dollar. This is a movie that has not even a hint of losing that purity. This is a movie that puts art first, even before entertainment.

That being said, while I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, I'm not sure I would call this one of my favorites. I'm very glad I saw this movie because of its importance to world cinema, but I probably wouldn't include it on my favorites list. Still, not every movie needs to be loved, especially if you can respect it for its artistic value. That's how I approach this film- it didn't so much touch my heart, but intellectually, it was very interesting.

The story is about French soldiers captured by Germans during World War I. They plot various escapes from their prisons. Through this story, the movie manages to touch on themes of class, race, and ultimately, the horrible pointlessness of war. The movie addresses the idea that war changes things as all a "grand illusion." That's a very interesting message, and while we don't actually see a single scene of battle in this film, you feel the horror and destruction of war around every turn. It's hard not to feel some sense of that pointlessness through the actions that unfold on screen.

Grand Illusion is certainly not an easily accessible film, especially for modern audiences. The film is primarily in French (with English subtitles), but the characters variously switch to German and English as well. The movie is a slow, quiet look at war. There are very few intense or exciting moments. The movie contains a great deal of dialogue, which does give the cast the opportunity to really shine. I was impressed with how the cast never felt like actors- they simply felt like real people, caught in these trying situations. I'm sure a good deal of that comes from the excellent direction of Jean Renoir.

This is not a movie you would watch if you want to be entertained for two hours. It takes effort to stay focused and get the full value out of this film. If you're able to do that, you'll find a powerful movie that addresses some essential themes about war and humanity. This might not be my favorite movie, but I recognize its brilliance and its importance.

I find it fascinating to watch movies that people would consider among the greatest ever made. That is so incredibly subjective, but I find it so interesting to see what people find influential. It is especially engaging to see what foreign directors were doing at the same time that their American counterparts were advancing cinema in this country. No American director in the 30s could have or would have made a film like this. Most of the movies I've seen are American, and movies like Grand Illusion remind me that I need to do a better job of exploring some of these influential films, especially on the foreign front. There's so many classic movies I haven't seen yet, but I feel like every one I watch is another piece of the puzzle. I'm glad I watched this film.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Casablanca, The Wages of Fear, Midnight Express