La Grande Illusion
La Grande Illusion is a powerful anti-war film; the illusion of the title being that any good can ever come of war.
Aristocratic Captain de Boeldieu (Pierre Fresnay), mechanic Lieutenant Marechal (Jean Gabin) and wealthy Jewish banker Rosenthal (Marcel Dalio) are thrown together, despite their vastly different backgrounds, as prisoners of the Germans in World War I. They escape, but are recaptured and reunited in a fortress commanded by German aristocrat von Rauffenstein (Erich van Stroheim). Boeldieu and Rauffenstein strike up a friendship reflecting their common cultural and social background which is on the way out. They are trapped in a code of life that is laudable but tragic. A new social order is emerging and their rapport threatens Boeldieu's allegiances to the others, with tragic consequences.
We will show La Grande Illusion as a double bill with another Renoir film, Une Partie de Campagne. There will be a dinner interval during which Elm Green will again serve us a two course meal with wine. Please add £10 per persion to your subscription if you wish to attend the dinner.
Links to reviews
http://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/76143/grande-illusion
http://www.theomnivore.co.uk/Film/8184-La_Grande_Illusion/Default.aspx
Link to trailer
