There is a reason that Empire magazine ranked La Grande
Illusion as #35 in its “100 Best Films of World Cinema” in 2010. La Grande
Illusion is a movie that was far ahead of its time. For an early anti-war film,
it is a model of simplicity and grace; with emotional effects that move you as
only master filmmaker Jean Renoir can do.
The film opens with French soldiers, aristocratic Captain do
Boeldieu (Pierre Fresnay) and working-class Lieutenant Maréchal (Jean Gabin),
being shot down by German aviator and aristocrat Rittmeister von Rauffenstein
(Erich von Stroheim). The film chooses to show the first of its many themes,
the neutrality of classes. Von Rauffenstein and Boeldieu converse with the
simplest of ease, discussing about people they both know and various
similarities. Showing the familiarity of the upper class, despite being
enemies.
Boeldieu and Maréchal are then transferred to a prisoner of
war camp where they meet people of various nationalities, ranging from fellow
Frenchmen, to British, Russians, and of course the German guards. Here the plot
of the movie gets underway as these soldiers look for a way to escape from their
captures and make their way through perilous enemy territory to reach Switzerland.
But the journey is far more difficult then the map suggests as they are
constantly reminded that not all of them may make it out alive.
The film makes reference to the divide between the aristocratic and the lower-class soldiers. The aristocratic look out for each other, and grant each other privileges that they wouldn't think to offer to the lower-class soldiers. Even as a POW Boeldieu is offered certain special privileges by von Rauffenstein. One of these is a show of trust when the POW quarters are being searched. This scene shows von Rauffenstein's belief that the aristocratic hold power over those of a lower-class, where Boeldieu shows his acceptance of everyone, regardless of class.
The film makes reference to the divide between the aristocratic and the lower-class soldiers. The aristocratic look out for each other, and grant each other privileges that they wouldn't think to offer to the lower-class soldiers. Even as a POW Boeldieu is offered certain special privileges by von Rauffenstein. One of these is a show of trust when the POW quarters are being searched. This scene shows von Rauffenstein's belief that the aristocratic hold power over those of a lower-class, where Boeldieu shows his acceptance of everyone, regardless of class.
The film is carried greatly by its character development and
the strength of its actors. Boeldieu and von Rauffenstein have several interactions
throughout the movie as they discuss the futility of their lives as aristocrats
after the war. In one scene von Rauffenstein has invited Boeldieu to his study
where they share a drink and discuss the war and the heavy price that they have
paid. Von Rauffenstein talks about how his plane crashed, causing him to have
metal implants throughout his body, and suffering immense amounts of pain
because of it. But by far the emotional scene takes place between von
Rauffenstein and Boeldieu on his deathbed. The conflicting views of the aristocratic
favoring von Rauffenstein and the commoner accepting Boeldieu creates a
conflict that is still prevalent today.
Though far from the current view of what a POW experiences,
these conversations take the results of war and brings it to the audience to
show what it is that these men are experiencing. The acting alone should take
you away when you watch this movie. It is clearly a movie that is in a league
of it’s own. Not just for 1937, but even today. Coming highly recommended and
with the credentials to back it up, La Grande Illusion is an excellent movie
that is a must see for anyone who enjoys movies.
4/4 stars
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