"La grande illusion" by Jean Renoir

Este mismo texto lo puedes leer en castellano en: La gran ilusión

It is completely clear my opinion about war movies, especially the great wars, I really consider myself a peaceful person who flees violence and many times I've wondered myself, because every time I get to see a film of "war" I wear with it. The fact is that this example we can say rather the opposite as it is on the side of anti-war, yet their form of military traits and characteristics make it attractive to me.

The truth is, define it in that description falls short "Grand Illusion" is a masterpiece without a doubt and when a movie reaches that category is because in many of its facets has done an exceptional job. This case could not be less in this respect, the treatment of the camera for example is incredible, the planes seem infinite, is where it should be and is the perfect vehicle to convey what the director actually tried to do.

The performances of the actors are sublime, the always fantastic and with a particular physical Captain von Rauffenstein (Erich von Stroheim), the Captain Boeldieu (Pierre Fresnay) and Lieutenant Marechal (Jean Gabin). The three form a great triangle of interpretation, in a film about World War in which even the very end is not heard a single shot and that is one of the best examples of anti-war film history.

The way to reflect this rejection of belligerence displayed by the protagonists, is determined by the difference between the classes that appear in it, this social dichotomy Renoir serves to reflect the decadence of the aristocracy. Clear examples of this are the dialogues that occur between the captains of both sides, it seem there are no differences, both belong to a social class which is defined by its decline, no matter the country they belong to, you really end up being the protagonist in the new social order that will remain after the great conflict.

A great work of cinema that should not be missed of course, an example of how you can do things in this world of cinema, it can even serve as a contrast between the films whose theme is about the World War II. Where it can already be seen the relations in the prison camps are different, it has lost the respect for human beings, without being either good, I dare say that the First World War gave the impression of being more humane than the second one.

TRONCHA