Another underrated classic
Added 9/11/2009
I think the reason why this 1943 film isn't really fully appreciated by the public of today is because this isn't the typical action-packed Hollywood film. It's a character-driven story with loads of dialogue and few action, and that's why it's so good. Plus, it has Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergmann; the chemistry between them seems so real in this film. And of course, there's Katina Paxinou as Pilar. She's spectacular, and she deserved the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The ending isn't much of a tearjerker when compared to other sad endings, but it is still a powerful ending (probably one of the most powerful endings of all time).
Hemingway himself may have been displeased with this film adaptation of his own novel, but that doesn't stop me (and many others) from admiring this work of art.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Bad Hemingway Karaoke
Added 12/6/2008
I love the passion in this film! Always! Made in the year o' my birth.('43) (Still) This film kills Fascists! Now more than ever, despite its and our, scaredy cat, watered down versions. Great character actors--Akim Tamiroff and his "people" insurgent guerrilla band; Mother Courage, force of Nature, "Pilar", Katina Paxinou, who won the Academy Award for this. And of course, Bergman and Cooper, May and December, blue eyes, Rushing mountain stream, snowbound Love in Bomber Jacket. "I'll hold the legs of the machine gun..Roberto!" They move the earth! But the soundtrack sucks! It's barely audible in places. Bad lipsynch! And we need those words! Now more than ever! They still "Tolls"...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Five Kleenexes! at least
Added 3/30/2008
I'm not a fan of war films. There is too much shooting for me in this and I wondered if Hemingway had a love affair with guns. It's very long and some of the sets look really fake. Sometimes I lost track of the characters.
However I had to give it five stars! Why, after all these criticisms? One, for the theme. Although these specific characters were fictional, they were based on real people who gave their lives fighting for their principles. Not the least of these heroes and heroines was an American who gave up his academic career, as did a lot of others, to go to Spain to help the locals fight fascism. This is a story worth telling.
Secondly, the cast is perfect! It's said that Hemingway personally selected Cooper and Bergman and they are wonderful. Gary Cooper was such a special man, his presence alone makes the film worth watching. The young Ingrid Bergman adds her own luminous qualities to the character of Maria. You can see why the American guy fell for her in spite of his resolve not to become personally involved. They are magic together, in spite of the age difference and one quickly forgives the fact that she doesn't look at all like a Spanish peasant. Who cares? The scene where they have their last night together could have been excessively, embarrasingly maudlin if played by lesser actors, but these two really pull it off. Anyone who can sit through the scene where she is forced to leave Cooper without shedding at least a few tears must have no heart.
The Greek woman who plays the amazingly strong Pilar, is certainly memorable, too, as is the Russian who plays her loose cannon of a husband, Pedro.
It is a little dated and, as I said earlier, very long. But it is worth sitting through (it took me two evenings) and you'll remember it for a long time. Bring Kleenex!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
strobe lights in a cave
Added 11/20/2007
This is a wonderful movie, but the dvd has flickering light in some scenes especially on dark colors. a vhs tape would be more watchable.
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
|
Gary Cooper Grandad of Indiana Jones
Added 10/9/2007
This is my second favorite film of all time next to The adventures of Robin Hood(1938) staring Errol Fynn.This movie has everything action adventure and romance .I never
get tired of watching Gary Cooper who in my opinion is the grandaddy of Indiana Jones, no one else can wear the classic fedora and pre-world war 2 leather bomber jacket like Cooper. Ingrid Bergman (I always had a crush on her ) plays a 19 year old spainish girl ,it's hard to believe she was 27 when she made this film in late august 1942.I'm half way through reading Ernest Hemingway's book For whom the bell tolls,the book has more graphic sex than in the film .In the film Cooper and Bergman have smoking hot chemistry ,it looks like at any moment they are going to be go at it in the sack. I hope paramount will release a 2 disc DVD set in 2008 in time for it's 65th anniversary .I posted a few photos on amazon I hope you like them.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
Another underrated classic
Added 9/11/2009
I think the reason why this 1943 film isn't really fully appreciated by the public of today is because this isn't the typical action-packed Hollywood film. It's a character-driven story with loads of dialogue and few action, and that's why it's so good. Plus, it has Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergmann; the chemistry between them seems so real in this film. And of course, there's Katina Paxinou as Pilar. She's spectacular, and she deserved the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The ending isn't much of a tearjerker when compared to other sad endings, but it is still a powerful ending (probably one of the most powerful endings of all time).
Hemingway himself may have been displeased with this film adaptation of his own novel, but that doesn't stop me (and many others) from admiring this work of art.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Bad Hemingway Karaoke
Added 12/6/2008
I love the passion in this film! Always! Made in the year o' my birth.('43) (Still) This film kills Fascists! Now more than ever, despite its and our, scaredy cat, watered down versions. Great character actors--Akim Tamiroff and his "people" insurgent guerrilla band; Mother Courage, force of Nature, "Pilar", Katina Paxinou, who won the Academy Award for this. And of course, Bergman and Cooper, May and December, blue eyes, Rushing mountain stream, snowbound Love in Bomber Jacket. "I'll hold the legs of the machine gun..Roberto!" They move the earth! But the soundtrack sucks! It's barely audible in places. Bad lipsynch! And we need those words! Now more than ever! They still "Tolls"...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Five Kleenexes! at least
Added 3/30/2008
I'm not a fan of war films. There is too much shooting for me in this and I wondered if Hemingway had a love affair with guns. It's very long and some of the sets look really fake. Sometimes I lost track of the characters.
However I had to give it five stars! Why, after all these criticisms? One, for the theme. Although these specific characters were fictional, they were based on real people who gave their lives fighting for their principles. Not the least of these heroes and heroines was an American who gave up his academic career, as did a lot of others, to go to Spain to help the locals fight fascism. This is a story worth telling.
Secondly, the cast is perfect! It's said that Hemingway personally selected Cooper and Bergman and they are wonderful. Gary Cooper was such a special man, his presence alone makes the film worth watching. The young Ingrid Bergman adds her own luminous qualities to the character of Maria. You can see why the American guy fell for her in spite of his resolve not to become personally involved. They are magic together, in spite of the age difference and one quickly forgives the fact that she doesn't look at all like a Spanish peasant. Who cares? The scene where they have their last night together could have been excessively, embarrasingly maudlin if played by lesser actors, but these two really pull it off. Anyone who can sit through the scene where she is forced to leave Cooper without shedding at least a few tears must have no heart.
The Greek woman who plays the amazingly strong Pilar, is certainly memorable, too, as is the Russian who plays her loose cannon of a husband, Pedro.
It is a little dated and, as I said earlier, very long. But it is worth sitting through (it took me two evenings) and you'll remember it for a long time. Bring Kleenex!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
