Grand Illusion, 1937 (Grade A+)

DIRECTOR: Jean Renoir
Awards, Nominated for an academy award for best picture.
Cast: Jean Gabin, Marcel Dalio, Pierre Fresnay, Eric Von Stroheim, Dita Parlo

sez says: an A+ -- WWI -- provides a setting to display the things that binding us together and the things that divide us and how we allow ourselves to be divided against our selves.  Nationalism, class affiliation, religion, love, loyalty, pride, creativity are all pieces of the puzzle.  But what is important are the alignments that are created --and destroyed-- by these aspects of humanity. And this story winds its way around these issues, saying in the sub text:. War is beyond stupid and terrifying. It is nonsense.  Nationalism is not healthy (just lines on a map) -- but it is a powerful engine of emotion.  Mistreatment of Jews is absurd. (remember what Hitler was doing in 1937 when this was made). The Aristocracy is in decline--and with that something about honor is being lost. And more.  There is so much in this movie it is hard to know where to begin. I could write a book--or two--about this story and they way it is told--and I bet there are plenty of books already written.  If you haven't see this, do. (Grade A+)